Next-Generation Software Engineering: A Study on AI-Augmented Development, DevSecOps and Low-Code Frameworks

The software engineering domain is undergoing a paradigm shift driven by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), security-by-design practices like DevSecOps, and the rise of low-code/no-code development platforms. This study explores the convergence of these three transformative trends, focusing on how AI-augmented development enhances code quality and developer productivity, how DevSecOps embeds security throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), and how low-code platforms democratize software creation. Through an analytical synthesis of contemporary literature and industrial practices, the research identifies key benefits such as faster time-to-market, continuous delivery with built-in security, and improved collaboration between developers, testers, and operations teams. The study also addresses the challenges of AI explainability, security automation, and scalability in low-code systems. The findings suggest that the next generation of software engineering must embrace a synergistic model where AI, security, and accessibility converge to produce secure, efficient, and user-centric software at scale.