How AI is Revolutionizing IT Product Development: 15 Essential Tools

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly revolutionizing IT product development. By accelerating processes and enhancing their quality and efficiency, AI is transforming how software is created and maintained. In this blog post, we'll explore 15 AI tools that are actively used in the software development industry and how they can benefit your projects.

The AI Boom in IT

According to research, the global AI market in the IT industry is projected to grow to $271.9 billion by 2028, showing a compound annual growth rate of 27.1%. This surge is driven by the increasing demand for business process automation, improved efficiency, and innovation.

AI optimizes business processes and boosts productivity by performing monotonous tasks faster and more accurately than humans. By analyzing large volumes of data and identifying patterns, AI helps companies make more informed decisions.

Each year, AI's use in the IT industry becomes more extensive and profound, permeating all spheres of business and everyday life. Here are 15 AI tools that assist in the main stages of product development:

Development

AI code generation works using ML algorithms trained with existing source code, often from open-source projects. There are three main methods for AI code generation:

• Autocomplete Function: Developers start writing code, and the AI tool attempts to automatically complete it based on patterns from training data.
• Natural Language Input: Developers formulate intentions through natural language input, prompting the AI tool to generate code suggestions.
• Direct Interaction: Developers interact directly with AI via a chat interface, sending specific requests or commands for error fixes or code snippets.

1. Copilot

Developed by GitHub in collaboration with OpenAI, this AI-powered code completion tool integrates with popular IDEs like Visual Studio Code, offering contextual code suggestions.

Example: A software development company uses GitHub Copilot to increase productivity and code quality. It assists in writing main code functions, optimizing code, testing, debugging, refactoring, and conducting code reviews.

Benefits for Developers:

• Increases coding speed and efficiency.
• Reduces the likelihood of syntax errors.
• Provides suggestions and improvements in real-time.

Learn more about Copilot

2. OpenAI GPT Models

Though not specifically designed for code generation, they can be used for it. Developers interact with these models using natural language prompts to get code snippets.

Benefits for Developers:

• Facilitates quick generation of boilerplate code.
• Assists in brainstorming and problem-solving.
• Provides diverse coding solutions based on large datasets.

Learn more about OpenAI GPT Models

3. Google Tools

• Google Gemini: Generates images, text, and code, supporting languages like C++, Go, Java, JavaScript, Python, and TypeScript.
• Vertex AI: Uses the PaLM 2 language model for text and code generation.
• Gemini Code Assist: Provides real-time coding assistance similar to GitHub Copilot.

Benefits for Developers:

• Streamlines the coding process with smart suggestions.
• Integrates seamlessly with various development environments.
• Enhances coding accuracy and efficiency.

Learn more about Google Gemini Learn more about Vertex AI Learn more about Gemini Code Assist

4. Code Llama by Meta

An open-source AI model based on Llama 2, designed for code generation and discussion, supporting languages like Python, C++, Java, PHP, TypeScript, C#, and others.

Benefits for Developers:

• Offers open-source flexibility.
• Supports a wide range of programming languages.
• Facilitates collaborative coding and discussion.

Learn more about Code Llama

5. Tabnine

An AI-powered autocompletion tool that integrates with various IDEs, supporting JavaScript, Java, Python, TypeScript, PHP, and C++.

Benefits for Developers:

• Enhances coding speed with intelligent autocomplete.
• Integrates with multiple development environments.
• Reduces repetitive coding tasks.

Learn more about Tabnine

Specialized Code Generation Models

New LLM models specialized in code generation are continually being developed to enhance productivity and accuracy in coding tasks. These models are trained specifically for coding languages and environments.

6. Codestral by Mistral

Codestral is a specialized language model developed by Mistral that focuses on code generation. It is designed to understand and produce high-quality code snippets, functions, and even entire modules.

Benefits for Developers:

• Produces highly accurate and contextually appropriate code.
• Supports multiple programming languages.
• Enhances productivity by providing reliable code suggestions.

Learn more about Codestral

7. Codex by OpenAI

Codex, part of the OpenAI family, is specifically trained for coding tasks. It powers tools like GitHub Copilot and provides advanced code generation capabilities.

Benefits for Developers:

• Provides highly accurate and context-aware code completions.
• Supports numerous programming languages.
• Enhances coding productivity and accuracy.

Learn more about Codex

8. Devin by Cognition.ai

Devin is an AI-powered tool developed by Cognition.ai for enhancing the coding process through intelligent code suggestions and completions. It integrates with popular development environments to provide seamless assistance.

Benefits for Developers:

• Improves coding efficiency with context-aware suggestions.
• Supports a wide range of programming languages.
• Enhances code quality through intelligent completions.

Learn more about Cognition.ai

9. Open-Devin

Open-Devin is an open-source alternative to Devin, offering similar functionalities with the added benefit of community-driven improvements and support.

Benefits for Developers:

• Provides an open-source solution for intelligent code completions.
• Supports a wide range of programming languages.
• Encourages community contributions and improvements.

Learn more about Open-Devin

10. Devika

Devika is another Open Source AI tool for developers that offers intelligent code suggestions, error detection, and debugging assistance. It aims to streamline the development process and improve code quality.

Benefits for Developers:

• Provides real-time code suggestions and improvements.
• Assists in error detection and debugging.
• Enhances overall code quality and efficiency.

Learn more about Devika

Idea Generation and Conceptualization

These processes play a key role in product development, and involving artificial intelligence can make them more efficient.

11. ChatGPT

GPT models generate ideas and solutions, assist in brainstorming, and refine concepts. They process large volumes of data and provide diverse perspectives when used correctly.

Example: A company developing a new project management service needed text content for the user interface and training materials. Without a UX writer on the team and other specialists being busy, the writing process was delayed. The project analyst proposed using ChatGPT to automate this process. A prototype integration was created, allowing ChatGPT to generate texts based on keywords and requirements. This reduced the writing time from several days to a few hours, resulting in the project being completed a month ahead of schedule.

Benefits for Developers:

• Accelerates the idea generation process.
• Provides diverse perspectives and solutions.
• Assists in refining and clarifying concepts.

Learn more about ChatGPT

12. Gluecharm

This tool uses AI to analyze product ideas and features, quickly turning them into development specifications, use cases, diagrams, and user stories. It helps Agile teams create clear user stories, acceptance criteria, and process diagrams, improving knowledge sharing, adaptation, productivity, quality control, and efficient implementation.

Example: A company was developing a new feature for a travel app to provide "local attractions recommendations" based on the user's location. The analyst used Gluecharm to detail the requirements for this feature. Gluecharm then generated 12 feature suggestions and 80 use cases, covering all aspects of the feature's implementation, such as login, payment, and search functionalities. This detailed output ensured that no critical elements were overlooked and helped the team define the project scope accurately and efficiently.

Benefits for Developers:

• Enhances clarity and organization of use cases and user stories.
• Streamlines the creation of development specifications.
• Facilitates collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Learn more about Gluecharm

13. Frase

Frase uses AI to generate content ideas, assist in SEO, and optimize content strategies. It helps create high-quality content that matches user intentions, analyzing SERP research, and generating content briefs with AI.

Example: An IT development team member uses Frase to prepare blog posts about new technologies. The tool helps analyze search results and content to identify popular queries and themes, creating a brief with keywords, content structure, and optimization recommendations for better search ranking.

Benefits for Developers:

• Enhances content creation with AI-driven insights.
• Improves SEO with targeted keyword suggestions.
• Streamlines the content planning process.

Learn more about Frase

Design and Prototyping

AI-based design software can help create more efficient products. This process includes using generative design algorithms to suggest optimal solutions based on specific criteria like material requirements, cost, and performance. AI can model product operation during prototyping, allowing designers to make adjustments before developing a physical model.

14. Miro Assist

Miro Assist helps teams in early product development stages, enhancing brainstorming sessions and filling gaps with AI. It creates summary notes, converts text to images, maps user stories with personas, and generates sequence diagrams and code blocks.

Example: A team developing an advanced content management system (CMS) uses Miro Assist during brainstorming sessions. The tool formats and structures information, suggests popular APIs for integration, and generates a summary and action plan post-meeting, improving communication and efficiency.

Benefits for Developers:

• Enhances brainstorming and collaboration.
• Organizes and structures information efficiently.
• Provides visual aids for better understanding.

Learn more about Miro Assist

15. Figma AI

Figma AI was a public tool designed to enhance design and prototyping. Currently, it is under improvement and not available for use. When active, it supports designers in creating and refining prototypes with AI-driven suggestions and improvements.

Benefits for Developers:

• Accelerates the design process with AI assistance.
• Provides intelligent design suggestions.
• Enhances collaboration between designers and developers.

Learn more about Figma

Challenges of AI Code Generation

AI code generation comes with challenges. Research published in IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering shows that AI tools like ChatGPT don't always produce high-quality solutions, with success rates varying greatly depending on the complexity of prompts. This raises concerns about reliability and the quality of AI-generated code, highlighting the need for thorough code review and testing.

Conclusion

Integrating AI into IT product development is a significant step in prototyping and development. AI tools understand consumer needs, market trends, and the evolving technological landscape. However, the role of AI is to augment human creativity, not replace it. By leveraging these tools, companies can enhance their development processes and bring innovative products to market more efficiently.