Developing in Turbo Mode with GenAI

A smart buddy for developers

One of the main benefits of GenAI is its productivity boost. By automating repetitive tasks and providing code suggestions, developers can focus on more complex and creative aspects of their work. Essential components of software development such as unit tests, to ensure code quality, can also be generated automatically, reducing the risk of errors and freeing up valuable development time.

The chat functionality within AI tools allows developers to ask specific questions and get customized code solutions. However, it is crucial to review and validate the generated code to ensure it meets required standards and functions properly. Therefore, mature development practices and rigorous code reviews remain essential. For junior developers, GenAI can serve as a learning tool, not only providing solutions but also explaining why certain code works.
 

The art of prompting

The effective use of GenAI tools depends on the art of prompting. The quality of the output is directly related to the clarity and context of the input queries. Therefore, it is important to train developers to create accurate and detailed prompts so that AI tools deliver the best possible results. An important rule of thumb here is that the time investment in writing a good prompt should be worthwhile relative to writing the code yourself.
 

Go for safe and responsible

While GenAI offers significant benefits, there are also risks, especially in the areas of copyright and data security. AI models are trained on huge datasets that may contain protected material. For this reason, Microsoft has built in a check to detect whether suggested code matches public code from GitHub and can block these suggestions. Note that you have to turn on this check. It does not happen automatically. Also important is the promise that entered code will not be used to further train the model if you have a Business or Enterprise license.

In addition, there is currently no AI model that continuously trains itself, which means that the knowledge you rely on does not contain the latest insights and developments. So for cutting-edge code, you still have to rely on your own creativity.

Companies should proactively address the risks by establishing robust policies and guidelines to ensure ethical AI use. It is wise to have inputs checked for sensitive information, such as passwords in the code, to prevent accidental exposure. We also advocate the use of company-approved tools to avoid the risks of shadow AI, where employees may use unauthorized AI tools that can compromise data integrity.
 

Deploy AI to modernize as well

GenAI is not just about writing code. It is also a powerful tool for application modernization. By using AI to analyze and improve existing codebases, we can make systems more efficient and future-proof. GenAI tools can also help automatically refactor code to make it more readable and maintainable. This means less technical debt and a more robust codebase in the long run.

In the future, AI tools will become even more sophisticated, able to dynamically test applications and identify potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. This proactive approach to security is essential in today's digital landscape, where threats are constantly evolving.
 

Together toward a more efficient future

Together, we can navigate the complexities of AI integration, transform your development process and position your company for future success. Let's embrace the future of AI-driven development and maximize new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Feel free to contact us to learn more about how our AI-powered solutions can drive your Cloud First and application modernization initiatives. Also be sure to explore the other blogs in this series on Cloud First & Application Modernization.