The Evolution of AI in Software Development

As AI continues to evolve, the debate intensifies on whether it can replace human developers. Some predict AI will soon take over application development. We tested Bolt.new, an AI tool claiming to build apps from scratch, to explore its capabilities, challenges, and if it can truly replace developers by 2025.

The Rising Impact of AI on Software Development

AI has already impacted fields like healthcare and finance, and in software development, tools like Bolt.new automate tasks, assist with coding, and speed up development. While AI reduces errors and accelerates cycles, fully replacing developers goes beyond just automating code generation.

Bolt.new Under the Microscope: The Challenges of Delivering a Complete, Scalable Application

I tested Bolt.new by asking it to build a simple app with file uploads, database processing, and data storage. This would push the tool’s limits, testing both the UI and backend functionality. Here’s how it performed:

Can AI Master the Complexities of Software Development?

Upon receiving the code from Bolt.new, I noticed its strengths but also significant issues:

• File upload failures: While the app’s interface was clean, file uploads didn’t work, which is a fundamental problem for this kind of app.
• Database integration issues: The app generated errors when inputting data into the database, with no clear error messages to help debug.
• Lack of production-readiness: While the code was functional at a basic level, it wasn’t ready for production, lacking migration scripts and scalability configurations.

Can AI Pave the Way to Conquering These Challenges?

AI in software development is still in its early stages. Tools like Bolt.new help with basic app creation, front-end templates, and boilerplate code, though improvements are needed. For instance, Bolt integrated Superbase for user authentication, but not perfectly. To revolutionize development, AI must improve in handling advanced tasks, debugging, and streamlining production-readiness for seamless deployment.

The Future of AI and Developers in 2025

Bolt.new shows AI’s potential in software development, but by 2025, it’s clear AI complements, not replaces, developers. While it speeds up tasks, human developers are essential for complex problems and ensuring quality and security.

Shoutout to Shees Usman for diving deep into this thought-provoking topic and delivering incredible insights.

⸺ Written by Shees Usman