AI to Transform IT Workforce: 80% of Engineers Must Upskill by 2027, Gartner Report Reveals
By 2027, around 80% of engineering professionals will need to learn new skills to adapt to the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a recent report from Gartner. As AI continues to reshape software development, it is creating new roles within the field of software engineering. While some speculate that AI could replace human engineers, Gartner emphasizes that human creativity and expertise will remain crucial in the process.
Philip Walsh, Senior Principal Analyst at Gartner, clarified that while AI will significantly impact how engineers work, it won’t completely take over their jobs. Instead, engineers will collaborate with AI to develop innovative software solutions.
Three Stages of AI’s Impact on Software Development
Gartner’s report breaks down AI’s influence on the future of software development into three key stages:
- Short Term (Now): AI will enhance productivity for engineers. AI tools will assist developers with routine tasks, increasing efficiency, especially for experienced engineers.
- Medium Term (Next Few Years): AI will enable engineers to automate more of their work. Much of the coding process will be handled by AI, with human engineers guiding the AI. Skills such as prompt engineering and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) will become essential for engineers to stay competitive in the industry.
- Long Term: The demand for “AI engineers” will surge, requiring professionals skilled not only in software development but also in AI, data science, and machine learning. These engineers will be crucial for organizations looking to develop AI-driven applications.
AI and Machine Learning Engineers: The Most In-Demand Role
A Gartner survey revealed that over half of software engineering leaders identified AI/machine learning engineers as the most in-demand role for 2024. Additionally, many recognized applying AI to software as the most significant skills gap facing the industry today.
Upskilling and Investments in AI Tools
To bridge this skills gap, companies will need to invest in new tools and platforms that make it easier for developers to integrate AI into their workflows. Furthermore, it will be necessary to upskill data and platform engineers to better adapt to AI technologies.
Human Expertise Still Essential
Despite AI’s transformative effect on software engineering, Gartner stresses that skilled human developers will remain critical. Rather than eliminating jobs, AI will open up new opportunities for engineers willing to embrace AI-related skills and evolve with the technology.
In conclusion, while AI is poised to change the landscape of software development, it won’t replace the need for human creativity, innovation, and expertise. Engineers who invest in upskilling to work with AI will be at the forefront of this transformation, shaping the future of the industry.
Thank you for reading. We hope this gives you a good understanding. Explore our Technology News blogs for more news related to the Technology front. AdvanceDataScience.Com has the latest in what matters in technology daily.
