ZDNET
Generative AI (Gen AI) has eliminated much of the grunt work of building applications for professional software developers. Now, the question is: can citizen developers also benefit from this new paradigm in code creation?
Some experts certainly think so. Over the coming year, citizen developers will deliver 30% of Gen AI-infused automation apps, predicted Craig Le Clair, principal analyst with Forrester.
Also: The best AI for coding in 2025 (and what not to use - including DeepSeek R1)
"They have the necessary domain expertise to envision and develop these solutions," he said, recommending concerted training of citizen developers to ensure the safely provisioned and controlled proliferation of AI models and copilot platforms.
One big issue is that citizen developers might not be ready to handle bare-metal Gen AI when creating applications.
Also: The five biggest mistakes people make when prompting an AI
"While Gen AI is breaking down barriers by allowing them to experiment and rapidly create no-code applications just by describing what they need in natural language, a hybrid approach remains essential," suggested Burley Kawasaki, global VP of Creatio, also co-author of the No-Code Playbook.
He said one reason is that many tasks, such as designing user interfaces and workflows, are better suited to visual representation: "A good analogy is how a word processor allows users to switch between draft mode and full WYSIWYG layout depending on editing needs."
... continue reading