High-level Roundtable on the Impact of AI on the Software Development Life Cycle

Friday, February 7th, 2025, 14h-17h, BC 410, EPFL
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to revolutionize also software development and IT in general. To explore the implications of AI on these domains, we organize a roundtable discussion. The objective of this roundtable is to gather insights from visionaries and experts to understand the impact of AI on the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), beyond technical aspects and coding. We aim to explore how AI can contribute to more productive, higher quality, and successful IT projects while mitigating potential risks and challenges that may arise in the integration of AI into the software development life cycle.
This event is by invitation only and organized by the Center for Digital Trust (C4DT), EPFL in collaboration with ELCA.
Format
We propose 2 moderated panels. Each panel serves to spark the discussion with experts / visionaries with particular insights/knowledge on the proposed discussion points. The panelists are yet to be announced. All roundtable participants are encouraged to contribute to the discussion and share their insights at any moment.
Agenda
14:00 – 14:15
Introduction
- Welcome and opening remarks by David Viollier, C4DT, and Mathieu Verbaere, ELCA Informatique SA.
- Objectives and output of roundtable
- Format and agenda
14:15 – 15:00
Panel 1: Today: AI’s Value Proposition in the SDLC and Evaluation & Quantification of AI’s Impact.
Key Discussion Points:
- Impact on how AI is enhancing different stages of the SDLC (requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance)
- Metrics for increase / gains on
- Productivity
- Efficiency
- Quality
- Developer experience / satisfaction
- Others?
- Influences on competencies, tools, and methodologies for IT teams
- Security implications:
- Secure software development – eg: code analysis, vulnerability scanning, AI-generated code introducing hidden backdoors or bugs.
- Cybersecurity – eg: threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and incident response.
- Secure AI models – eg: adversarial attacks, model poisoning, and data manipulation.
- Privacy and data protection.
- Copyright & IP infringements.
moderated by Laetitia Mage, Team Leader Data Science, ELCA
15:00 – 15:10
Showcasing visionary quotes
Before the pause, we propose to showcase a selection of quotes/recordings from industry leaders/visionaries on the future impact of AI on the software development life cycle and its industry.
15:10 – 15:30
Pause
15:30 – 16:45
Panel 2: Envisioning the Future: Navigating the AI-Driven Transformation in Software Development
Key Discussion Points:
- Discussing long-term visions (eg. AI agents replacing current software). Can consensus be reached? On which points do opinions diverge?
- Impact on business
- Business models and licensing. Will SaaS companies cease to exist? Impact on supply and demand?
- Addressing security concerns and software supply chain resilience
- Timeline. Will changes brought about by AI will lead to a radical transformation or an evolutionary process?
- Impact on software development / engineering profession.
- Impact on education & training: preparing future engineers/software developers for the evolving market needs.
- Human & AI collaboration: a balancing act between human oversight and automation.
- Opportunities for CH. How can CH leverage AI advancements to enhance its national IT capabilities and address key issues such as IT resource allocation and national security of its IT infrastructure, software supply chain, etc.
moderated by Mathieu Verbaere, Head of Architecture, ELCA
16:45 – 17:00
Closing Remarks and Next Steps
- Outline of the white paper development process by Hector Garcia Morales, Science Writer, Freelance
- Closing remarks by David Viollier & Mathieu Verbaere
17:00 – 18:00
Networking apéritif
Participants
- Prof. Edouard Bugnion, EPFL
- Daniel Dobos, Research Director, Swisscom
- Olivier Gaudin, Founder and ex-CEO, SonarSource
- Michel Jaccard, Founder, id est avocats
- Jean-Christophe Makuch, Head Of Digital Research & Innovation, SICPA
- Cedric Moret, CEO, ELCA
- Mark Mueller, CTO, LogicStar AI
- Christophe Nicolas, CIO, Kudelski
- René Raeber, CTO, Microsoft Switzerland
- Lorenzo Rossi, Head Software Engineering Tech Drive, SwissQuote
- Prof. Florian Tramèr, ETHZ
- Marcel Zumbuehl, CISO, SwissPost
- Leandro von Werra, Head of Research, Hugging Face