Exploring GenAI’s Impact on Tech Debt

Are you a tech leader struggling to control tech debt while navigating the rapid advancements in AI? Stride’s Head of AI, Dan Mason, is here to help us unravel the complexities of using generative AI to manage and prevent the tech debt spiral.

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Dan explains that GenAI's effect on tech debt largely depends on how organizations use it. With proper guidance and context, GenAI can improve code quality, but without oversight, it can lead to bad code and increased tech debt.

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Dan highlights the necessity of providing GenAI with detailed human-level documentation and instructions for teams to achieve better code quality. Also, the benefits of AI tools differ across industries. Cautious industries like banking may see a reduction in tech debt, while fast-moving startups might incur more debt.

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Consequently, Dan emphasizes the need for tech leaders to have a strategic plan and ensure AI-generated code is thoroughly reviewed to prevent tech debt accumulation and maintain code integrity. He also warns about the potential pitfalls of ignoring GenAI’s impact on tech debt.

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Listen to the full episode to understand how thoughtful integration of AI tools can enhance team capacity and lead to more intelligent decision-making in your organization.

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"The best way to avoid incurring new debt is to be honest about what GenAI can do. You can't plan your workflows around 'GenAI will just do everything.' Find the things that it's good at and figure out which constraints GenAI can loosen for you. ~  Dan Mason

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In This Episode:

• The impact of AI on code quality
• The role of human language instructions and human oversight
• How to determine the right AI strategy and tools
• Strategic application of AI in various industries
• How to use Stride Conductor to remediate tech debt
• The evolution of the relationship between GenAI and tech debt
• Best development practices to prevent the tech debt spiral
• Consequences of ignoring GenAI's impact on tech debt

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