When software is written by itself | Imagine this

This summary article presents ideas from a recent episode of BCG Imagine this... podcast. Along with the BCG director and senior partner Vladimir Lukićwe explore the promise of software that creates itself.

BCG’s AI agent GENE, which co-hosts the podcast, generated this summary—with human oversight and editing.

Picture this: it’s 2030 and artificial intelligence has evolved to the point where it can write and generate software on its own, eliminating the need for human intervention in coding.

So what

The advent of self-generating software will drive innovation, competitive dynamics and corporate operations. CEOs navigating this new environment will need to consider a number of critical implications.

Accelerating innovation. The ability of artificial intelligence to autonomously create software solutions will remove traditional barriers to innovation.

Artificial intelligence systems will quickly transform ideas into functional software, enabling companies to quickly respond to market demands and explore new opportunities as they arise.
This acceleration raises the stakes in the innovation race.

Democratization of access to technology. Self-created software has the potential to level the playing field by allowing smaller businesses access to powerful technology tools that were previously the domain of large, deep-pocketed corporations.

This democratization can encourage competition and drive progress throughout the industry.
However, it also introduces a new digital divide between companies that can effectively leverage AI and those that cannot.

Transformation of roles and development of new skills. The role of human IT experts and developers will evolve.

The human focus will shift from coding to conceptualizing solutions and managing AI systems.
This transition will require a reassessment of skill sets within organizations. And cooperation with artificial intelligence will become an integral part of every aspect of business.

Navigating ethical and regulatory landscapes. The rise of self-generating software introduces complex ethical and regulatory considerations.

From data privacy to intellectual property rights, CEOs must navigate a minefield of potential issues.
Keeping up with regulatory changes will be critical for companies using AI in software development.

CEOs should have a view of where this is going to be relevant, what foundations need to be laid – both on the data and technology infrastructure side and on the people side – and start building that muscle.

What now

As CEOs adapt to the transformative potential of self-created software, there are several steps they can take to ensure their companies lead in this new era:

1. Run a strategic AI review. Start with a comprehensive assessment of your organization’s current technology capabilities.

Identify areas where AI-driven software development can have the greatest impact.
Evaluate both operational processes and customer-facing services.

2. Cultivate expertise in artificial intelligence. Invest in building or buying a team with deep AI expertise.

Ensure that this team understands not only the technical aspects of AI, but also its strategic application in relevant business contexts. Prioritize technology literacy and AI integration to ensure the business doesn’t fall behind.
Take care of the comprehensive retraining and improvement of your workforce.
Consider partnerships with AI research institutions or startups to stay on the cutting edge of technological advancements.

3. Encourage a culture of innovation. Encourage a mindset of continuous learning and experimentation within your organization.

Emphasize actively seeking change to ensure the organization remains agile and progressive.
Create sandbox environments where teams can safely explore the potential of AI without risking core operations.
Recognize and reward innovative ideas that use AI for business solutions.

4. Implement a risk management framework. Develop a robust framework for monitoring and controlling self-build software deployments.