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Brace Yourself: The Era of 'Citizen Developers' Creating Apps Is Here, Thanks to AI
Written by: Chris Porter / AIwithChris
Image source: ZDNet
The Rise of Citizen Development in an AI-Powered World
In an age marked by technological innovation, the landscape of application development is evolving rapidly, ushering in what many refer to as the era of 'citizen developers.' These individuals, often the domain experts in their respective fields, are now empowered to create applications with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI), significantly democratizing the software development process.
As we stand on the brink of this new decade, predictions indicate that citizen developers will be responsible for delivering 30% of generative AI (Gen AI)-infused automation apps. This is no mere projection; it's a revolution that reflects a shift in how organizations operate. The traditional image of the software developer—usually one with an extensive background in coding—is being transformed as everyday users leverage intuitive AI tools to build and deploy their solutions.
The implications of this democratization are profound. With AI simplifying the tasks of app creation—via natural language processing, autonomous workflow generation, and code suggestions—there's a sense of liberation and innovation in the air. As Craig Le Clair, a principal analyst at Forrester, suggests, the domain expertise that citizen developers bring to the table is invaluable; they have insights into their business operations that can lead to the creation of highly specialized applications that address specific needs in real-time.
Despite the optimism surrounding this trend, it's essential to approach the citizen development landscape with caution. The advent of Gen AI also poses a series of challenges that need to be tackled. For instance, while citizen developers often excel at identifying the problems that need solving, they may lack the technical training required to handle bare-metal Gen AI. This highlights a crucial need for a hybrid approach, merging natural language prompts with visual representation to tackle complex tasks like user interface design and workflow management.
For organizations looking to embrace this trend, it's vital to invest in comprehensive training programs for these citizen developers. Providing them with guidance not only ensures the responsible use of AI models but also fosters a culture of safe innovation within the walls of the enterprise. Without proper training and understanding, the rush to deploy AI-driven apps could lead to significant headaches down the line.
Balancing Innovation and Governance: The Path Forward for Citizen Developers
As exciting as the rise of citizen developers sounds, it comes with its own set of complexities. For companies, navigating the broad software development lifecycle is a relatively uncharted territory for many citizen developers. While AI can ease the burden of coding and complexity, it does not eliminate the need for a robust development framework that incorporates testing, deployment, and maintenance.
According to Burley Kawasaki, the global VP of Creatio, customization is another important consideration. It is essential for citizen developers to know how to extend their applications easily. They must develop a solid understanding of design trade-offs and best practices to enhance their apps without compromising on quality. Doing so ensures that the applications they create not only meet business requirements but also align with higher standards for user experience.
Furthermore, compliance with governance frameworks, security protocols, and regulatory standards cannot be overlooked. The pressure on citizen developers to innovate quickly can often lead to oversights in the compliance areas, resulting in applications that may not meet important legal or operational standards. Organizations must educate their citizen developers on these matters to avoid future pitfalls.
One way forward is to implement a structured citizen development program within organizations. This could range from establishing a collaborative environment where IT specialists and citizen developers work together to create applications, to setting up governance policies that ensure compliance while fostering creativity. The ideal scenario is a synergistic relationship between traditional development teams and citizen developers, where knowledge sharing and mentorship take precedence.
As we continue to explore this brave new world of citizen development powered by AI, it becomes increasingly clear that the role of domain expertise—combined with support from experienced developers—will shape the future of software creation. It’s not just about building apps; it's about constructing a sustainable environment where innovation can thrive, responsibly and effectively.
For those interested in delving deeper into the changing landscape of AI and citizen developers, further resources and insights can be found at AIwithChris.com, where continuous discussions around the transformative potential of AI take center stage.
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