Title

AWS re:Invent 2023 - Gen AI & the SDLC: Changing the way we bring digital products to life (AIM243)

Summary

Panelists: Adam Hood (host), Jake Wilson (PwC Labs AI factory leader), Usama Begheeli (application modernization leader), and Scott (engineering capability leader).
Generative AI (GenAI) is transforming professional work at PwC across tax, audit, and consulting.
Talent and Skills: The evolution of skills is necessary for AI solutions at scale. Prompt engineering is emerging as a critical skill, but not everyone is adept at it. Data scientists and engineers are adapting to new roles and tools.
SDLC Phases: Ideation, planning, build, and operate. GenAI is expected to have a significant impact on the operate phase, but there is also a focus on the build phase.
Adoption of Tools: Tools like AWS CodeWhisperer are changing the developer experience. Concerns include the potential decline in core engineering skills as automation increases.
Testing: Synthetic data generation, automated test case generation, and AI-written code for test execution are key topics. Ensuring business outcomes align with testing is crucial.
Client Adoption: Clients are curious and eager to learn about GenAI. Trust in the outputs of GenAI is a concern, and governance is necessary to manage adoption.
Future Outlook: Rapid advancements in GenAI are expected, with a focus on trust, reduction in hallucinations, and full automation of the SDLC. Quantum computing and sustainability are also mentioned as future considerations.

Generative AI's Role: GenAI is not just a tool but a transformative force in the SDLC, requiring a shift in skills and roles within teams.
Prompt Engineering: This new skill is critical for effective use of GenAI, but it's not universally easy to master, indicating a need for specialized training and talent development.
Tool Abundance: The rapid proliferation of tools creates challenges in maintaining a consistent development experience and necessitates an abstraction layer to manage tooling.
Testing Evolution: The focus on synthetic data and AI-driven test case generation suggests a shift towards more automated and intelligent testing processes, which may lead to better coverage and efficiency.
Client Engagement: Clients' eagerness to adopt GenAI reflects a broader trend of embracing AI across industries, but it also highlights the need for clear governance to ensure responsible use.
Future Predictions: The panelists anticipate that GenAI will lead to a more automated and efficient SDLC, with potential impacts on job roles and the nature of software development. Quantum computing is seen as a future game-changer that could further accelerate these trends.