UFF researcher discusses the future of Software Engineering

What is it like to develop software in the age of generative artificial intelligence (AI)? This was the theme of IMPA Tech’s academic seminar on Tuesday (9), given by Vânia Neves, a professor at the Fluminense Federal University’s (UFF) Institute of Computing. Organized by Professor Uéverton Souza, the meeting was held after classes and brought together students from the three classes of the Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation.

The presentation began with an introduction to the possibilities of working in Software Engineering – the area responsible for organizing processes, methods and tools to develop, maintain and evolve quality systems. The speaker then went on to discuss the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the sector and the transformations that technology is bringing about in the work of professionals in the field.

“A lot of people wonder if artificial intelligence is going to take our jobs. It’s a concern that has reached all areas, whether it’s computing, literature or medicine. The fact is that the use of AI in software development is already a reality. It works as a process assistant and can be used to write requirements, define acceptance criteria, generate code and carry out automated tests,” explained Vânia.

For the professor, the human factor remains indispensable. “Using generative AI doesn’t mean blindly trusting it. Wide adoption doesn’t necessarily mean high confidence. Before, the work was entirely manual and required more testing and correction. Today, it’s possible to generate suggestions, automate steps and get explanations quickly, but we still need to evaluate the results.”

According to her, technology has brought significant productivity gains, but mastering the fundamental concepts of the area remains essential. “Developments that used to take days can now be done in a few minutes. AI has already changed the way we develop software; the question is how we are preparing for this change,” she said.

It is precisely for this scenario that IMPA Tech’s interdisciplinary and technological training seeks to prepare its students: professionals capable of keeping up with academic innovations and the demands of the job market. “Mastering the fundamentals is a differentiator. There’s no point in using AI without understanding what it’s doing for you. You need to develop critical thinking in order to review, test and validate the results, assessing risks and quality,” said the speaker.

With a PhD in Computer Science and Computational Mathematics from the Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at the University of São Paulo (ICMC-USP), Vânia is a professor at UFF and a researcher in the field of Software Engineering. Her studies focus on Software Testing, automated test generation and applications of generative artificial intelligence in systems development.

For student Kauã Oliveira, the discussion at the seminar was enriching. “I love programming and am fascinated by the ability to model real systems. I already had a basic knowledge of structuring AI agents, but learning more about how professionals are dealing with this tool has broadened my vision,” he said.

Born in Três Rios (RJ), the student is in the first year of his degree. “The institution’s structure is impeccable, but I believe the difference lies in the quality of our teachers and the guests who take part in these seminars. These meetings create a direct connection between the academic and professional environments, bringing clarity to complex issues,” he said.