Generative AI in Software Development: Fostering Innovation or Limiting Creative Freedom

Sammanfattning

This thesis investigates the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in soft- ware development, focusing on their influence on developers’ creativity. With the emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and IntelliJ AI Assistant, developers have gained new capabilities for au- tomating coding tasks and enhancing problem-solving. While these tools promise efficiency and support in the development process, their potential impact on creative autonomy and innovation remains underexplored. The primary research question is: “In what ways do software developers per- ceive AI tools as influencing their creativity in coding, particularly in rela- tion to problem-solving, idea generation, and innovation?” A qualitative re- search approach was adopted, using semi-structured interviews to gather insights from professional software developers with experience using AI- assisted coding tools. The collected data was analyzed through thematic analysis, identifying recurring patterns and themes related to developers’ perceptions of AI’s effect on their creative processes. The results from the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with software developers, identifies four different key themes. These themes are the following: ”AI as a tool for streamlining workflow and creative solutions”, ”Challenges and limitations with AI-tools”, ”Effects on creativity and creative solutions” and ”Knowledge and change”. These finding indicate that AI tools have the ability to streamline workflows through code autogeneration and out- source routine thinking, as well as acting as a sounding board for creative problem-solving and ideation. Participants identified challenges such as a lack of customization and context as well as technical limitations with the tools that can lead to inaccuracies. The results also revealed a dual impact on creativity, where AI-tools in some cases acted as a creativity booster, and in others concerns of over-reliance were expressed. The findings reveal the presence of complex and multifaceted perceptions regarding the influence of AI-tools in software developer creativity. The discussion highlights that AI has the ability to enhance creative outlets by serving as a collaborative partner for ideas. However, concerns about over-reliance and its potential to suppress human ingenuity persist. The discussion emphasizes that human interpretation and validation of AI-generated insights are crucial, and highlights the necessary balance between AI assistance and human creativity in software engineering.