The AI hype has yet to fade. We’re now entering a new era of AI that is reshaping business models, operational efficiencies, and customer experiences.
As technology continues to advance rapidly, one of the main questions for those in software development is: Can AI replace human coders?
Despite impressive strides in AI-driven tools, human developers will remain essential, even though their role is evolving.
Today, 34% of IT leaders report their organisations are using AI-assisted coding extensively, according to Mendix’s report, “The Low-Code Perspective.” Nearly half (47%) are in the experimental phase.
Low-code platforms and AI advancements are creating new opportunities and responsibilities for those involved. Yet, understanding how to make the most of AI-powered low-code requires clarity on the skills and expectations needed from employees. Recognising the need to equip employees with AI skills, national initiatives such as AI Singapore (AISG) are providing training opportunities for local enterprises.
Let’s take a closer look at the future of application development in this new era of AI, from training teams to navigating stakeholder involvement.
AI won’t replace developers; it will evolve their role
Generative AI tools, like ChatGPT and Copilot, are currently being used to suggest code snippets, troubleshoot errors, and complete functional code blocks based on prompts.
The role of generative AI in application development is to automate repetitive tasks and reduce low-value activity, but the technology is quickly evolving.
Soon, we could see generative AI working alongside developers. For example, instead of crafting a data model manually, generative AI could assess a requirements document, an existing data schema, or an idea formulated in natural language and populate a data model that can then be validated by a developer. The same applies to generating user interfaces: Rather than developing UIs from scratch, developers could upload designs, or even low-fidelity drawings from a whiteboard session, and generate pages that can then be refined.
For some, the productivity benefits of generative AI raise questions about whether there is still room for low code in the future.
Visual development, enabled by low-code platforms, provides an environment where people from multiple disciplines can contribute to application development, and where everyone can understand what is happening behind the scenes. Generative AI can accelerate this form of development, while also increasing the speed of the entire development life cycle when used with a low-code platform.
AI-assisted low code, paired with skilled developers, can bring measurable benefits. Of those surveyed, 85% believe combining AI and low code would help their organisation innovate faster, and 82% say it helps their organisation innovate at scale.
Eventually, the role of the developer may become more like a composer — overseeing work completed by virtual software agents. Developers may shift their focus towards managing and refining applications, rather than the heavy lifting.
Unlike AI, human expertise can navigate nuance and create purpose-driven applications. Understanding user requirements, anticipating potential system failures, and integrating with existing IT assets are just a few areas where human developers will remain critical. So, as we continue integrating the technology into application development, it won’t eliminate the need for skilled coders; it will reshape it.
Stakeholder support for AI is the next big hurdle
A substantial 84% of IT leaders say low code empowers more people to be involved in app development. Yet, 41% report their C-suite lacks the technical knowledge to understand the potential of low code in their organisations.
Navigating stakeholder support is an ongoing challenge for technical teams, from securing buy-in for key technologies to unlocking future funding to meet development goals. IT leaders are identifying tension between their priorities and those of other stakeholders.
This is significant given that IT leaders identify the COO as the most involved member of the C-suite in decisions around low-code adoption, followed by the CEO.
As non-technical C-suite stakeholders play a greater role in IT-related capital expenditures and strategic planning, ongoing dialogue between technical teams and decision-makers will be essential to fully convey the benefits of low-code approaches.
In the pursuit of accessible tools, businesses may mistakenly assume that low code and AI tools eliminate the need for technical knowledge — a concern reflected in the 39% of IT leaders who believe their non-technical C-suite sees low code as a replacement for developer talent.
As the lines between technical and non-technical roles blur, aligning goals and ensuring the right expertise is in place will be vital for effective technology investment.
The future of AI and low code is collaborative
Low-code platforms are already enabling less technical users to contribute to app creation, while AI tools are making coding faster and more efficient. Looking ahead, low-code and AI will likely continue to operate in tandem, enabling developers and stakeholders to design and deploy applications together.
But the AI skills gap is widening. According to Autodesk’s “State of Design & Make 2025” report, 62% of Singapore business leaders cite the lack of access to skilled talent as a barrier to growth. Despite this, today’s developers — and employees more broadly — are expected to keep up. When used alongside a capable enterprise-grade low-code platform, AI holds significant potential to help bridge this gap by enabling smarter, faster development.
To stay competitive, organisations must commit to improving productivity and enhancing the developer experience. That means equipping teams with tools that streamline development, so they can focus more on cross-functional collaboration and solving meaningful challenges across the organisation.
As organisations move forward, fostering collaboration, clarifying roles, and encouraging continuous learning will be essential.
The potential of AI and low code lies not in replacing coders, but in empowering them. This enables developers to work faster, involves stakeholders more directly, and helps organisations stay adaptable in a rapidly changing tech environment.
