Gen AI in software

Discover how the future of software engineering is being shaped by generative AI.

Capgemini Research Institute’s report, Turbocharging software with Gen AI, explores the benefits and opportunities that generative AI brings to software engineering.

Drawing insights from a survey of 1,000 senior executives and 1,000 software professionals across organizations with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion, this report takes a look at the present and future impact of generative AI.

Some organizations are already reaping the rewards. Generative AI enables the development of innovative software features and services, as reported by 61% of surveyed organizations. It improves overall software quality, with 49% of respondents observing this benefit. And it boosts productivity, with 40% of organizations experiencing this positive outcome.

These productivity gains allow organizations to focus on innovative work. Organizations recognize generative AI’s potential to augment human creativity rather than replace it, and only a small fraction of organizations surveyed (4%) intend to reduce headcount.

The adoption of generative AI for software engineering is still in its infancy. Currently, 27% of organizations are actively exploring its potential through pilot projects, while 11% have already begun integrating generative AI into their software functions. However, the adoption rate, including pilot projects, is expected to experience a significant surge, more than tripling in the next two years.

Generative AI is increasingly – and rapidly – being integrated into everyday life. Yet only 27% of organizations have the necessary platforms and tools to harness its power. This lack of preparedness poses a significant risk, as employees may turn to unauthorized generative AI tools and solutions to stay ahead. In fact, our survey reveals that 63% of software professionals who use generative AI rely on unauthorized tools. This unchecked use of generative AI can expose organizations to a multitude of risks, including functional errors, security breaches, and legal issues such as hallucinated code, code leakage, and intellectual property problems, highlighting the need for proper governance and oversight.

Turbocharging software from the Capgemini Research Institute looks at how organizations can harness the full potential of generative AI for software engineering in a way that mitigates security risks, prioritizes high benefit use cases, and puts people at the heart of this transformation.