Developer Upskilling and Generative AI with Hywel Carver and Suhail Patel
Jan 24, 2024
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Hywel Carver and Suhail Patel discuss developer upskilling and generative AI. They explore: learning journeys, the role of generative AI in upskilling, and the software engineer's changing role with powerful AI technologies. They emphasize learning by doing, the significance of diverse perspectives, and caution against overreliance on generative AI without foundational knowledge. They also discuss the potential impact of generative AI on software engineering growth and the complexities of understanding context.
Generative AI can assist in the learning process of software engineering by providing knowledge and syntax gathering, but it should not replace foundational learning and understanding.
Human involvement and feedback are still important in the software engineering learning journey, as generative AI tools cannot fully encapsulate diverse perspectives and contextual knowledge.
Deep dives
Generative AI as a Learning Tool
Generative AI, such as code completion tools, can serve as a valuable resource for learning and upskilling in software engineering. It can assist in providing knowledge and syntax gathering, helping beginners understand basic concepts and syntax in programming languages. However, it does not replace the need for foundational learning and understanding. Generative AI can also be useful for explaining complex code snippets, acting as a virtual rubber duck, to aid in comprehension. It is a tool that can assist in the learning process and provide guidance, but it should not replace gaining a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. In this context, generative AI can be seen as a supportive learning assistant rather than a replacement for core learning.
The Role of Humans in the Learning Process
Human involvement and feedback are still crucial in the learning and growth process of software engineers. While generative AI tools can assist in providing information and explanations, human interactions and personal guidance are valuable for acquiring practical skills and nuanced understanding. Collaborating with experienced individuals and engaging in peer reviews can help software engineers develop wisdom and the ability to apply their skills effectively in real-world situations. Human involvement brings diverse perspectives and contextual knowledge that cannot be fully encapsulated by generative AI. Therefore, despite the advancements in AI technology, humans still play a vital role in the software engineering learning journey.
Navigating Levels of Abstraction
Generative AI technologies can enable software engineers to work at higher levels of abstraction, allowing them to focus on solving problems rather than writing code from scratch. As engineers move up the abstraction ladder, certain aspects of low-level implementation details become less important. Learning how to write code in low-level languages, such as assembly or Bash, may not be essential for every engineer, as long as they understand the high-level concepts and can work effectively with the abstractions provided by higher-level languages and tools. However, it is still crucial for engineers to have some understanding of the underlying systems in order to troubleshoot, optimize, and review code effectively. Moving up the levels of abstraction does not eliminate the need for knowledge and skills, but rather changes the focus and scope of what is required.
The Future Potential of Generative AI
Generative AI has the potential to improve and enhance the software engineering process in various ways. As AI models continue to evolve and improve, they could become more reliable in generating code and assisting with complex tasks. While there may be limitations to the current capabilities of generative AI, future advancements could enable AI to offer meaningful feedback during code reviews. However, even if AI tools can automate parts of the code writing process, developers will still need to possess the skills to interpret, evaluate, and review the generated code in the context of their specific projects and organizational requirements. The role of software engineers may shift towards higher-level decision-making and problem-solving, relying on AI as a supportive tool in the development process.
In this episode, Nsikan Essien talks with Hywel Carver and Suhail Patel about developer upskilling and generative AI. Together, they explore the following topics: the software engineer’s learning journey, the ways current generative AI technologies could help or hinder it, and what the role of the software engineer becomes with powerful AI technologies.
Read a transcript of this interview: https://bit.ly/42dVmTC
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