Generative AI isn’t just a technological leap — it’s a transformative force reshaping the way software is developed and deployed. At the forefront of this revolution is Deepak Singh, vice president of the Next Generation Developer Experience at Amazon Web Services Inc.

In an exclusive conversation at AWS headquarters ahead of its re:Invent conference next week in Las Vegas, Deepak shared his insights into how generative AI and tools such as AWS Q Developer are empowering developers, streamlining workflows and accelerating innovation across industries.

“Using gen AI is going to change the way all of us build software,” Deepak remarked. “It’s about building faster, being more creative and spending less time on the tasks we don’t like doing.”

Video exclusive: A conversation with Deepak Singh

A Cambrian explosion of developer productivity

The software development landscape is undergoing what Deepak describes as a “before and after moment” akin to the launch of AWS EC2 or serverless computing with Lambda. Gen AI-powered tools such as Q Developer are at the heart of this transformation, enabling developers to address longstanding pain points.

Deepak highlighted two groundbreaking features of Q Developer:

1. Error diagnosis and troubleshooting:
   “In the AWS console, Q Developer identifies errors and explains them in plain language. It even provides step-by-step solutions, eliminating the need to dig through documentation or search online.”
2. Autonomous code generation and execution:
   “Q Developer analyzes your application, suggests what code needs to be written, and executes it autonomously. This isn’t just autocomplete — it’s a full-fledged agent solving problems and accelerating workflows.”

These tools don’t just enhance efficiency — they fundamentally change the development process by removing bottlenecks and empowering teams to focus on creativity and innovation.

The vision for the next-generation developer experience

Deepak’s role centers on reimagining how developers work, blending tools, environments and AI to meet developers where they are. This includes integrating Q Developer into commonly used platforms such as VS Code, IntelliJ and even Slack.

Our goal is to eliminate friction. Whether you’re coding in an IDE, debugging in Slack, or querying in a shell, Q Developer integrates seamlessly into your workflow.

This flexibility extends beyond AWS environments. Recent partnerships with companies such as Wiz and Datadog enable customers to use Q Developer to analyze security issues and operational metrics directly within the AWS console.

From legacy modernization to systems thinking

One of the most striking examples of Q Developer’s potential is its role in legacy modernization. Deepak shared how Amazon used Q Developer to upgrade its Java codebase from JDK 8 to JDK 17, saving 4,500 developer-years and reducing costs by $260 million annually.

Tasks like version upgrades or legacy modernization, which used to be tedious and time-intensive, can now be handled autonomously. This frees developers to focus on building innovative solutions.

This shift reflects a broader trend toward systems thinking, where developers focus on architecture and high-level design while gen AI handles execution. According to Deepak, this mindset will define the next wave of innovation in software development.

Democratizing development: AI for everyone

AWS’ gen AI tools aren’t just for seasoned developers — they’re democratizing software development for all builders. With tools such as Q Developer, even nondevelopers can create and manage applications.

Deepak shared an example of data center technicians using gen AI to troubleshoot HVAC systems:

They uploaded their documentation, and with a few prompts, built an app that identified and solved error codes. These technicians weren’t developers, but gen AI enabled them to create a solution that might never have been built otherwise.

This democratization extends to how Q Developer is accessed. A freemium model allows users to experiment with the tool using a free-tier Builder ID, while enterprises can scale up with advanced features through Pro licenses.

The evolution of developer agents

The recent redesign of Q Developer includes enhanced reasoning capabilities and a new inline chat feature, which allows users to seamlessly switch between typing and complex prompts within their workflow. These updates reflect AWS’ commitment to building goal-seeking agents that adapt to evolving customer needs.

This is just the beginning,” Deepak said. “As LLMs improve and tools like text editors become more integrated with AI, the possibilities are endless.

Gen AI’s broader impact: a revolution in productivity

Beyond coding, gen AI is driving a broader productivity boom across industries. Whether it’s enabling faster software development, modernizing legacy systems, or unlocking creativity, the impact is profound. Deepak noted that customers like the BT Group and National Australia Bank are already seeing 37% to 50% acceptance rates for AI-generated code.

Gen AI isn’t just about doing more — it’s about doing it better,” Deepak emphasized. “Whether you’re a bank launching new products or a startup scaling quickly, these tools help deliver higher-quality results at unprecedented speed.

Looking ahead: What’s next for Q Developer and gen AI

As AWS prepares for re:Invent, the excitement around Q Developer and gen AI continues to grow. Deepak hinted at upcoming announcements that will expand the tool’s capabilities and deepen its integration with third-party platforms.

We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible. As gen AI evolves, so will Q Developer — helping builders, developers, and business users achieve their goals faster and more effectively.

What’s next: a new era for software development

Deepak Singh’s insights highlight how AWS is redefining the developer experience with gen AI, setting the stage for a future where software development is faster, smarter and more inclusive. With tools such as Q Developer, AWS is not only empowering developers but also enabling a new generation of builders to thrive in an AI-driven world.

For those ready to embrace this revolution, the message is clear: The future of software development is here, and it’s powered by generative AI.

Photo: SiliconANGLE