The role of artificial intelligence in software development and IT is the core subject of this engaging conversation between Thomas Dohmke, CEO of GitHub, and WIRED UK editor-in-chief Greg Williams.
GitHub Copilot is an AI tool that helps software developers write code by predicting the next line or multiple lines of code. This significantly boosts developer productivity, Dohmke says.
“With Copilot, we see that now already 50% of the code is written by AI.” Soon this will be 80%, he believes – but, Dohmke points out, the remaining 20% are crucial. “What Copilot really does, it helps developers with [routine tasks], so they have more time to focus on the things they want to do.”
Referencing investor Marc Andreessen’s famous blog post Why Software Is Eating the World, Dohmke notes: “I think we can all admit that has happened. Software has eaten the world, and now it’s AI’s turn. AI is now eating software.”
Later in the conversation, Dohmke – who’s originally from Germany – addresses the risk that his native country is falling behind in digital transformation and AI adoption.
“I think it’s true, Germany is behind”, he says. Many German companies, Dohmke believes, “have not realized that software is powering the world now, that they all have to become software companies.”
But he sees many opportunities for Germany as well to make more of its talent and first-rate educational system.
“We have a lot of smart, ingenious people here in Germany, engineering pride”, Dohmke notes. “So we have it in our hands to become the leader in AI and in the digital economy.”
