Navigating AI in Development: Managing Stakeholder Expectations

For developers, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought new challenges, particularly in managing stakeholders’ expectations. Communicating the technology's limitations, risks, and overlooked aspects is becoming a critical part of the developer's role in today's tech landscape. "Right now," Neeraj Verma, the head of applied AI at Nice said, "they're expecting that everybody's a developer."

Outlining Specific Use Cases to Build

Understanding Kesha Williams, head of enterprise architecture and engineering at Slalom, emphasized the importance of outlining AI use cases when engaging stakeholders. During a recent roundtable, she explained that focusing on tangible applications can clarify AI's potential while also highlighting its limitations.

“Good developers understand how to write good code and how good code integrates into projects,” noted Verma. “ChatGPT is just another tool to help write some of the code that fits into the project.”

This pragmatic approach helps stakeholders grasp the practical uses of AI and sets realistic expectations about its capabilities and challenges.

Navigating AI Limitations: Ethics, Security, and Quality Assurance

While coding remains a core aspect of development, the rise of AI has heightened the importance of testing and quality assurance to ensure the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated work. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that roles in software development, quality assurance, and testing will grow by 17% over the next decade, reflecting this shift.

However, as expectations for productivity rise, ethical and security concerns can sometimes take a backseat.

“Interacting with ChatGPT or Cloud AI is so easy and natural that it can be surprising how hard it is to control AI behavior,” noted Igor Ostrovsky, cofounder of Augment, during a recent roundtable. “It is actually very difficult to, and there’s a lot of risk in, trying to get AI to behave in a way that consistently gives you a delightful user experience that people expect.”

These challenges aren’t hypothetical—companies have encountered real-world issues in recent AI deployments. For example:

• Microsoft’s Copilot faced scrutiny over oversharing and data security, prompting the company to develop internal programs to mitigate such risks.

• Investments in AI Governance: Despite tech giants investing billions in AI infrastructure (Microsoft alone plans to spend over $100 billion on GPUs and data centers by 2027), investments in AI governance, ethics, and risk analysis lag behind.

Addressing these limitations will require balancing the drive for innovation with robust safeguards to ensure AI is ethical, secure, and reliable.

Adapting to a Rapidly Changing Landscape

Ostrovsky, another expert at the discussion, predicted that the role of AI in the workplace would continue to evolve. For developers, staying ahead in this rapidly changing environment will require:

• Adaptability: A willingness to learn new tools and methodologies as AI continues to advance.

• Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to address complex challenges posed by integrating AI into larger systems.

• Clear Communication: Explaining the implications of AI projects in a way that resonates with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Looking Ahead

As AI becomes more deeply integrated into development workflows, the ability to manage stakeholder expectations will remain a crucial skill for developers. Outlining clear use cases, communicating risks, and staying adaptable will ensure success in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

Whether AI is used for generating code or optimizing workflows, its true value lies in its ability to complement human expertise—an insight that developers and stakeholders alike will need to embrace.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.