Actions
eu-LISA has published a new Technology Monitoring Report on generative AI in software development, looking at how AI-based coding tools are evolving and what their wider use may mean for software engineering.
Software development is one of eu-LISA’s core activities. As the Agency continues to strengthen its software development capabilities, including through the software factory approach, staying abreast of relevant technological developments is essential.
From code completion to AI coding assistants
The report focuses on the use of generative AI in software development, with particular attention to AI coding assistants. It examines how these tools have evolved from basic code completion to more advanced systems capable of supporting complex development tasks.
The report also looks at:
benchmarking and evaluation methods for AI coding tools;
the current landscape of AI coding assistants;
their impact on developer productivity and code quality;
security implications linked to AI-generated code.
Balancing productivity gains with security and quality
The report notes that AI coding assistants are increasingly becoming part of standard software development practice. At the same time, their benefits are not automatic or evenly distributed.
While such tools can support productivity gains, especially for certain types of tasks, they may also introduce additional quality, maintainability and security challenges. Particular attention is therefore given to the need for careful review, appropriate safeguards and clear governance.
Given the rapid evolution of generative AI, the report highlights three priorities for organisations developing and operating complex IT systems:
continuously monitoring technological developments;
regularly evaluating the performance of AI coding tools;
ensuring sufficient resources to review AI-generated code.
The key question is not only whether to use these tools, but how to use them in a way that supports software delivery while managing the associated risks.
