Crecimiento en la demanda de herramientas de inteligencia artificial en ingeniería de software: resultados de un estudio paneuropeo 2024

The information technology (IT) industry has demonstrated a remarkable ability to replicate and improve successful economic models, accelerating its development through three key trends: digitalization, changes in organizational and production paradigms, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This article analyses the influence of these trends on software engineering and focuses particularly on the impact of AI, which has transformed productivity, working models and the skills required in development teams. The use of AI tools has ushered in “AI-Augmented Software Engineering”, an emerging concept that redefines the software development lifecycle. However, the implementation of these tools faces challenges, from organizational resistance to data security concerns. This study covers 27 software engineering teams from various regions in Europe, offering an in-depth analysis of best practices for integrating AI tools into development processes. Drawing on Everett Rogers’ theory of diffusion of innovations, the paper identifies the current and future stages of AI adoption in software engineering, from early adopters to the early majority. The study concludes with a set of tactical and strategic recommendations for IT companies seeking to achieve global competitiveness by incorporating AI technologies into their software production processes.