A new report from Sourcegraph, a code-intelligence platform, shows that artificial intelligence can both benefit and challenge developers. The survey, conducted with over 500 software developers and engineers across different industries and regions, revealed that 95% of developers are currently using AI tools like ChatGPT and Cody to write their code. While these tools provide convenience and bolster creativity, they also present a major problem in terms of managing and securing the tremendous quantities of code being produced. This problem, known as “Big Code,” not only affects the speed and quality of development, but also poses a risk to companies’ competitive edge in the industry.
The report claims that only 65% of companies have a plan in place to tackle Big Code, and even fewer are aware of the potential pitfalls when it comes to integrating AI in software engineering. This puts developers in a difficult place; with AI granting opportunities for a new level of productivity, any wrong move could have far-reaching consequences. As such, the report encourages companies to focus on providing assistance and taking a proactive approach towards managing AI generated code for the smoothest transition.
Sourcegraph is a code-intelligence platform used by many of the top FAANG companies as well as banks, tech companies and space programs. Its co-founder and CEO, Quinn Slack, is a fiery advocate for developing better tools and practices for managing Big Code – he argues that it will only become worse if organizations don’t start working on it now.
The report serves as a wake-up call to companies and developers alike. By the right steps in managing artificial intelligence, companies can pave the way for improved productivity and competitive edge in their industry.
