Generative AI will transform 85% of the software industry workforce by 2025

Capgemini has released a new report showing that 85% of the global software workforce will implement generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in the next two years.

The report is based on a survey of 1,098 senior executives and 1,092 software professionals.

A significant finding from the report is that 80% of software professionals believe Gen AI tools and solutions will significantly change their roles by automating simpler, repetitive tasks. This, they say, will free them up to focus on higher-value tasks. “Generative AI has emerged as a powerful technology to support software engineers, quickly gaining adoption,” said Pierre-Yves Glever, Head of Global Cloud & Custom Applications at Capgemini. “Its impact on coding efficiency and quality is measurable and proven.”

The adoption of generative AI in software engineering is still in its early stages, with nine out of ten organizations yet to scale their efforts. However, those with active Gen AI initiatives are already experiencing numerous benefits. According to the report, 61% of such organizations noted that Gen AI facilitated innovation, while 49% reported improved software quality. Organizations saw productivity improvements ranging from 7% to 18% on average across their software engineering functions, with some specialist tasks seeing time savings of up to 35%.

Organizations plan to use the extra time Gen AI creates for innovative tasks, such as developing new software features (50%) and upskilling employees (47%). Downsizing is the least preferred path, with only 4% of organizations considering it. New roles are also starting to emerge, such as generative AI programmer, prompt writer, and generative AI architect.

Generative AI also promises to improve communication and collaboration between technical and business teams. A significant 78% of software professionals are optimistic about Gen AI’s potential to improve teamwork and partnerships with non-technical business units. Features such as explaining code in natural language and facilitating better conversations are seen as beneficial outcomes of Gen AI integration.

Today, 46% of software engineers use Gen AI tools to assist with tasks, and nearly three-quarters see the technology’s potential beyond just writing code. Use cases span the entire software development lifecycle, including code modernization and user experience (UX) design. Both senior and junior software engineers report higher levels of satisfaction with Gen AI, with 69% and 55%, respectively, seeing it as an enabler and motivator.

But the report points to a serious problem: 63% of software professionals admitted to using unauthorized Gen AI tools. This unregulated adoption creates security risks, potential code leaks, and intellectual property issues. “The real value will come from a holistic approach to software engineering that goes beyond implementing a single new tool,” Glever added. “This involves addressing business needs with a solid and relevant design, creating comprehensive workspaces and developer assistants, implementing quality and security gateways, and building effective development teams.”

The study, conducted by Capgemini Research Institute, also included 20 in-depth interviews with industry leaders, partners and software professionals. The results underscore the growing adoption and potential of Gen AI to transform the software industry, driving efficiency, quality and innovation.