Generative AI oversight crucial by 2025, says Gartner

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES – By 2025, over 50% of software engineering leader roles will explicitly require oversight of generative artificial intelligence (AI), according to Gartner, Inc. 

“This includes those related to team management, talent management and code of ethics,” said Haritha Khandabattu, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner. “Software engineering leaders will find themselves at a significant disadvantage if they do not recognize and adapt to these changes – facing the risk of being replaced by those who embrace this disruptive technology.”

Generative AI will not replace developers in the near future, but it can automate certain aspects of software engineering. Khandabattu suggests that leaders should focus on how AI technology will enhance developer productivity and demonstrate how generative AI can augment their teams.

Generative AI can also transform how software engineering leaders recruit and manage talent, speeding up tasks such as job analysis and interview transcription, “AI-enabled skills management, a dynamic skills approach that helps in supporting talent and work processes, will help software engineering leaders rethink roles by identifying skills that can be combined to create new positions and eliminate redundancies,” said Khandabattu.

However, generative AI introduces ethical concerns that require new policies. Khandabattu advises software engineering leaders to work with or form an AI ethics committee to create policy guidelines for the responsible use of generative AI tools.

“Refrain from using generative AI to replace tasks that require human judgment and critical thinking,” said Khandabattu. “Constantly evaluate use cases where generative AI can add maximum value in day-to-day activities.”