Coding is an integral part of software development and has been around for decades. However, recently, the advancement of technology has given rise to a new form of coding assistance: artificial intelligence (AI). AI-powered coding assistants have the potential to change the way developers work, and one such tool that has gained a lot of attention recently is Copilot.

But before diving into Copilot, let's explore the broader topic of AI and how it can help developers.

“AI is a relatively recent topic in the field of software development,” explains Jesse Shewfelt, a software developer at Thin Air Labs on the Product Traction team. “But it has already made a significant impact. AI can analyze data, identify patterns, and make predictions that can help developers improve their workflow and increase their efficiency.” Jesse has been using Copilot lately and suggests AI-powered tools like this can be particularly useful to developers. He says they can perform tasks such as:

• Code Generation: Copilot can generate helpful code snippets that developers can use as a starting point, saving them time and effort. While the generated code may not always be perfect, it is often good enough to be used as a foundation for further development.
• Code Completion: Copilot can predict what code a developer might want to write next, which saves time and helps prevent errors.
• Bug Detection: AI-powered tools can help developers identify and fix bugs in their code more quickly and efficiently.

Despite these benefits, there are still a lot of soft skills that AI cannot currently replicate.

"AI cannot replace the creativity, problem-solving ability, and critical thinking skills of a human developer,” ---Jesse Shewfelt, Software Developer, Product Traction

“For example, AI cannot replace the creativity, problem-solving ability, and critical thinking skills of a human developer,” says Jesse. “However, when used in conjunction with human skills, AI-powered tools like Copilot can make a huge difference in the development process.”

Ultimately, “Copilot has been a game-changer,” admits Jesse. “It has saved me a lot of time, and the generated code has been helpful. While it may not always be right, it is good enough to get me started, and I can then tweak it as needed.”  

AI-powered coding assistants like Copilot have the potential to revolutionize the way developers work. While they cannot replace the soft skills of human developers, they can save time, increase efficiency, and provide helpful suggestions for code generation and completion. As the technology continues to advance, it will be exciting to see how AI can further assist and enhance the work of software developers.

‍

‍