The era of human-dominated coding is rapidly giving way to AI-powered development, according to research firm Gartner’s latest strategic outlook for software engineering. Gartner’s report identifies six critical trends that will define how software gets built over the next three years, with artificial intelligence serving as the primary catalyst for change.
AI Takes Center Stage in Development
The most striking prediction centers on AI adoption rates. Gartner forecasts that 90% of enterprise software engineers will use AI coding assistants by 2028—a dramatic surge from just 14% in early 2024.
“AI-enabled tools and technologies are fundamentally changing how software is built and delivered,” said Joachim Herschmann, VP Analyst at Gartner. This shift will transform developers from hands-on coders into orchestrators who focus on problem-solving and system design.
Building Intelligent Applications
Large language models are becoming integral to software development. By 2027, at least 55% of engineering teams will actively build applications featuring LLM-based capabilities, enabling software to interact more like humans.
Platform Engineering Gets AI Boost
Organizations are integrating AI capabilities into their internal development platforms. Gartner predicts 70% of companies with platform teams will embed generative AI features by 2027, making AI tools easily accessible through self-service portals.
Focus on Talent and Sustainability
Two additional trends highlight evolving priorities: maximizing “talent density” by concentrating highly skilled professionals within teams, and embracing open AI models that offer greater flexibility and lower costs. Environmental concerns also drive the push toward “green software engineering,” incorporating carbon-efficient practices from project planning through production.
The trends collectively point toward a future where AI augments human creativity while organizations balance innovation with sustainability and talent optimization.