AI chatbots have long since arrived in software development. But how do developers really use chatbots and what impact does this have on teams? A recent study provides answers.
A group of Swedish researchers is trying to close this gap and, as part of an experiment, evaluated how a total of 24 software developers from ten companies worked with ChatGPT. For this purpose, the chat logs were evaluated and the test subjects had to fill out a questionnaire.
Even though the study still used the GPT-3.5 model released in 2022, it offers interesting insights into the productive use of AI chatbots.
Key Findings:
- Developers used ChatGPT for a variety of tasks: The most common tasks included generating code, debugging code, and writing documentation.
- ChatGPT was found to be helpful in a number of ways: Developers reported that ChatGPT helped them to be more productive, to write better code, and to solve problems more quickly.
- ChatGPT also had some limitations: Developers reported that ChatGPT could sometimes generate incorrect or incomplete code, and that it could be difficult to understand the chatbot's reasoning.
- Overall, the developers were positive about their experience with ChatGPT: They reported that they would be likely to use ChatGPT again in the future.
Implications for Teams:
- ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for software development teams: It can help developers to be more productive, to write better code, and to solve problems more quickly.
- However, it is important to use ChatGPT with caution: Developers should be aware of the chatbot's limitations and should not rely on it to generate code without careful review.
- ChatGPT can also help to improve communication and collaboration within teams: Developers can use the chatbot to share ideas, to get feedback on their work, and to troubleshoot problems.
Overall, the study suggests that ChatGPT has the potential to be a valuable tool for software development teams. However, it is important to use the chatbot with caution and to be aware of its limitations.
