Generative AI is revolutionising the way IT teams operate, providing tools and solutions that significantly improve productivity and efficiency. In this article, we explore how Generative AI in IT Teams can transform their capabilities and offer tangible benefits in software development.

Impact of AI on IT Team Productivity

In 2024, the use of Generative AI has proven to be a game-changer for IT teams. A recent Gartner report (2024) reveals that the implementation of these technologies has increased productivity by 40%. Additionally, it is projected that by 2025, 70% of development teams will adopt Generative AI in their processes, up from 50% in 2023.

A study by McKinsey (2024) highlights that developers can double their coding speed using Generative AI, reducing code errors by 25% and improving overall software quality.

To measure developer productivity, it is essential to go beyond traditional metrics. DORA (DevOps Research and Assessment) metrics and the SPACE (Software Engineering Productivity Analytics Collaboration and Efficiency) framework provide a comprehensive view of performance and efficiency in software delivery, considering factors such as code quality and customer satisfaction.

How Can AI Benefit Development Teams?

Generative AI facilitates the workflow of development teams through various functionalities:

  • Automation of repetitive tasks: Tools like OpenAI’s Codex can suggest code based on natural language descriptions, freeing developers from mundane tasks.
  • Natural language interaction: These tools allow natural language commands in development environments and version control systems, making interaction with tools more intuitive.
  • Code suggestions: They offer contextual suggestions that are particularly useful for novice developers, enhancing team efficiency.
  • Code optimisation: They help suggest improvements and eliminate redundancies in existing code, ensuring cleaner and more efficient code.
  • Translation of programming languages: They facilitate the modernisation of applications by translating code between different programming languages.
  • Test case generation: They automatically create tests to improve coverage and detect errors early in the development process.
  • Error identification: They help locate and fix errors in large codebases, improving software quality.
  • Customised development environments: They adapt environments to individual developers’ preferences, enhancing comfort and productivity.
  • Automatic documentation: They generate explanatory documentation and summaries of code functions, saving time and effort.

IT Teams Successfully Using Generative AI in 2024

A notable example is BMW, which utilized generative AI to streamline its manufacturing processes, leading to a 25% increase in production efficiency​​. Similarly, Duolingo leveraged GitHub Copilot for Business, achieving a 25% increase in developer velocity​. Another example is Colgate-Palmolive, which implemented AI for predictive maintenance in its manufacturing plants, saving 192 hours of downtime and reducing operational costs significantly​.

If you are interested in learning about different use cases of AI in companies, we recommend reading the article (spanish): “State of Generative AI: Use Cases in Companies.” It analyses the key insights from the latest meeting of the Innovation Tech Leaders community, focused on the application of generative AI in the business world.

The Future of Generative AI in Development Teams

Development team leaders are confident that Generative AI will continue to grow in importance as a development tool in the short and medium term. The potential for productivity improvement with Generative AI is substantial. As these tools become more integrated into software development, significant reductions in development time and costs are likely.

Looking to the future, the real change will be how Generative AI enables IT teams to tackle more complex problems more efficiently. With AI handling routine aspects, developers can focus on strategic innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in software solutions.

Generative AI as a Transformative Element for IT Teams

Generative AI is transforming the way development teams work, significantly improving productivity and software quality. With the continuous advancement of these technologies, IT teams that adopt Generative AI will be better positioned to lead innovation in the software industry.