AI Supercharges Coding, Developers Embrace Its Power
AI tools are rapidly transforming software development, with a significant number of developers integrating them into their workflow. A StackOverflow survey reveals that 44% of software engineers currently utilize AI tools, while 26% intend to adopt them in the near future. Gartner estimates that more than half of organizations are exploring or have implemented AI-driven coding assistants, anticipating that 75% of developers will leverage these tools by 2028.
Igor Ostrovsky, a former Microsoft software developer, believes that AI will soon become an indispensable aspect of every developer’s workflow. He emphasizes the potential of AI to enhance software quality, boost team productivity, and reignite the joy of programming, leading him to create Augment, an AI-powered coding platform.
Augment recently emerged from stealth mode with $252 million in funding, aiming to disrupt the nascent market for generative AI coding technologies. Investors include former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Index Ventures, Sutter Hill Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Innovation Endeavors, and Meritech Capital.
Augment addresses the widespread dissatisfaction with software quality, highlighting its fragility, complexity, and high maintenance costs. The platform empowers programmers and organizations to deliver high-quality software more efficiently.
During his tenure at Microsoft, Ostrovsky contributed to the development of Midori, an unreleased next-generation operating system whose concepts have influenced various Microsoft projects. In 2022, he partnered with Guy Gur-Ari to create Augment’s MVP. Scott Dietzen, ex-CEO of Pure Storage, and Dion Almaer, formerly of Google and Shopify, joined the executive team to bolster Augment’s capabilities.
Augment remains secretive about its user experience and generative AI models, but Ostrovsky hints at the use of fine-tuned industry-leading open models. The company plans to monetize through software-as-a-service subscriptions, with pricing and details to be announced closer to its GA release.
Ostrovsky emphasizes the momentum behind Augment, with hundreds of software developers from dozens of companies, including Eric Schmidt-backed Keeta, using the platform in early access. However, the sustainability of this growth remains uncertain, especially considering the challenges posed by AI coding assistants.
One concern is the introduction of more flawed code into codebases, leading to maintenance issues. Additionally, security researchers warn of the potential for vulnerabilities and copyright infringement. Augment maintains that their engineering team possesses deep AI and systems expertise, which will enable them to bring innovative AI coding assistance solutions to developers and software teams.
The Palo Alto-based company currently employs around 50 people, with expectations to double that number by the end of the year. As the market for AI-powered coding tools intensifies, Augment faces competition from tech giants like Microsoft (GitHub Copilot), Amazon (AWS’ CodeWhisperer), and Google (Gemini Code Assist), as well as a host of startups, including Magic, Tabnine, Codegen, and Refact.
Despite the challenges, AI-powered coding assistants are poised to revolutionize software development. By harnessing the power of AI, developers can enhance their productivity, improve software quality, and potentially reignite their passion for programming.
