Introducing AI Development Tools in Software Development Courses

With the advance of artificial intelligence technologies, academics must respond appropriately. A recent study showed that 90% of software developers use AI coding development tools. As students enter the workforce, familiarity with AI tools enhances their skill sets. Integrating copilot tools, generative AI and machine learning topics in an information systems curriculum enhances the program. This case study reviews adding AI tools to three courses in an undergraduate software development curriculum. A survey was given to students and faculty of three undergraduate courses: an introductory programming class, an object oriented programming class and a database class. The survey results were used to tailor the type of AI technologies to add to the class. In the two programming classes, an AI copilot programming tool was used. In each of the classes, generative AI was used in the graded class discussions.