Will AI Replace Software Engineering? A Thought-Provoking Event at SI-SE 2024

On Thursday, September 19, 2024, the Swiss Informatics Society (SI-SE) and the Java User Group Switzerland (JUGS) jointly organized an insightful event in Zurich focused on the future of software engineering in the age of AI. The question at the forefront: "Will AI replace software engineering?"

The event featured a keynote address by Professor Bertrand Meyer, a leading expert in software engineering and Provost at Constructor Institute of Technology, Switzerland. With the rise of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and tools like Github Copilot, the once-distant dream of automated programming seems closer to reality. But, as Professor Meyer elaborated in his talk titled "Where is Software Engineering Heading?", the core principles of software engineering remain critical, even in this new age of generative AI.

Meyer reflected on current challenges in software development, emphasizing that while AI has the potential to streamline processes, it won't replace the need for rigorous engineering practices. He highlighted recent examples, such as the CrowdStrike event, to demonstrate the catastrophic consequences of neglecting proper engineering attention in software production. While LLMs can assist in some tasks, they are unlikely to revolutionize software engineering in the way some may anticipate.

The event sparked deep conversations on the future role of AI in software development, raising important questions about the evolving relationship between human expertise and machine-generated solutions.

As Professor Meyer underscored, AI may change some aspects of the field, but the fundamentals of software engineering—precision, quality, and trusted components—are here to stay. The event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of balancing innovation with foundational engineering practices in this fast-evolving landscape.