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The new era of software development is not a threat, but an opportunity to build a new kind of competitive advantage

Written by Mikko Sairanen, Director, Digital Experience | 4/17/26 9:09 AM

 Software development is currently living in the midst of the biggest change since the breakthrough of cloud services. 

Artificial intelligence will not only speed up code writing but also change the logic of the entire software development process, the structures of teams, and the skills needed in the future.

However, this is not a threat, but one of the most significant opportunities of our time to build a competitive advantage.

But change does not happen by itself. It requires a new way of thinking, the courage to experiment, and, above all, the will to lead change.

The need for competence is not decreasing, it is changing

There is a lot of talk about the effects of AI on software development, and in practice, it is already part of daily work.

The rhythm and requirements of software development have changed, but the change is not limited to technology or a single tool.

A bigger impact is the way development work is organized. AI opens a huge number of new opportunities for those who dare to embrace change and think differently.

Traditionally, software development has been done in stages, with solutions implemented linearly. In an AI-driven model, work is faster and more iterative. The developer no longer writes every line by hand; instead, they direct the agents and evaluate the solutions they produce.

This does not reduce the need for competence but changes it. Therefore, organizations must ensure that experts remain in the driver's seat and understand the boundary conditions of both the customer's business and the software's quality. AI can produce suggestions, but it's up to humans to make sure they're the right ones.

In-depth expertise and the ability to assess the different dimensions of quality are becoming increasingly important

Let's take the example of problem-solving. Previously, alternatives were studied in theory, and prototypes were made to a limited extent. AI can efficiently test multiple options in parallel and select the best solution.

This speeds up learning and progression, but the need for professional design and quality remains. This distinguishes a developer in an AI-driven development model from a traditional software developer. In-depth expertise and the ability to assess the different dimensions of quality are becoming increasingly important.

The roles of software developers are also converging. Design and frontend are intertwined, and the role of testing changes from quality assurance to continuous quality assessment. Multi-skilled people are becoming increasingly important. They know how to narrow down problems, utilize AI, and take the solutions it produces in the right direction.

This increases the value of experts. When AI handles the routine, humans can focus on where real business benefits are created.

Competitive advantage is only created when organizations are ready to change their processes and operating models

That is why change should be faced positively. AI-driven software development is not a threat. It's a new way of working.

It is up to organizations to create clear structures and support for the utilization of AI so that experts can use it efficiently and safely. When this is realized, work becomes faster, higher quality, and genuinely more valuable to the business.
In other words, a competitive advantage is only created when organizations are ready to change their processes and operating models.

A culture must be created in which AI is a natural part of every expert's work. This requires training, management support, a clear governance model, and measurable goals.

When people know they are operating in a safe, guided environment, resistance to change decreases, and trust and effectiveness increase.