Building a future-ready development team for the AI Age
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how software is built. From writing simple functions to automating tests and debugging, AI is increasing the pace and precision of development work. AI is becoming a powerful assistant that can help teams build smarter and faster - augmenting developers rather than replacing them.
Modular functions: speed through composition
One of the most promising uses of AI in coding is the generation of small, modular functions. These bite-sized blocks of logic can be reviewed, tested, and assembled into larger systems. Rather than building the entire solution, AI provides developers with high quality building blocks, like well-shaped bricks, that speed up construction but still require human hands to create the full structure.
This modular approach accelerates development without sacrificing control. It gives developers a flexible toolkit that reduces the overhead of writing boilerplate code while preserving architectural oversight.
When AI is used in this way - as a builder of well-defined, discrete components - it becomes easier to manage code quality and reduce the risk of introducing hard-to-trace bugs. The developer remains the architect, ensuring the final product meets performance, security and design requirements.
Debugging, testing and documentation
AI’s pattern recognition abilities make it a handy tool for debugging. It can identify syntax issues, propose optimisations and even highlight logic flaws that might be overlooked. It helps trace runtime problems and can offer context-specific fixes that speed up resolution.
AI can also automate test generation. By analysing code paths and predicting inputs, it improves test coverage and helps catch issues earlier in development. This improves reliability and reduces the burden of manual testing.
Documentation is another area AI can assist. It can explain code behaviour, summarise changes, and improve project visibility. This supports maintainability, collaboration and onboarding. These forms of automation allow developers to focus on design and architecture while helping teams move faster without compromising quality.
Challenges: control, clarity and accountability
Despite its strengths, integrating AI into coding workflows brings important challenges. One of the biggest is explainability. Developers must still understand the code, how it works, why it was written that way and how to adapt it in the future. Relying on AI for complex logic can lead to code that is harder to maintain or audit.
AI may also miss edge cases. While it handles standard code well, it may not anticipate unusual inputs or subtle conditions that a human would catch. Without careful review, these gaps can result in hard-to-detect bugs or security vulnerabilities. Another concern is design ownership. Letting AI make decisions about how features are implemented can lead to inconsistency and architectural drift. Developers need to stay in control of design direction and uphold coding standards to ensure long-term quality and cohesion.
How can developers prepare for the AI Age?
To make the most of AI, developers must go beyond simply knowing how to use tools. They need to assess AI-generated code critically, understand its implications, and know when human input is essential. Recognising the limits of AI is just as important as knowing how to apply it effectively.
Understanding the reasoning behind the code remains a core responsibility. Without that insight, developers risk inheriting systems they can’t explain, maintain, or evolve. Skills like refining AI-generated documentation, spotting missed edge cases and guiding design choices will continue to be essential.
The developers who succeed in an AI-assisted future won’t step away from the craft. They’ll stay close to the work - reviewing, shaping and maintaining code - to make sure software is not just delivered quickly, but is built to last.
techUK - Seizing the AI Opportunity
The UK is a global leader in AI innovation, development and adoption.
The economic growth and productivity gain that AI can unlock is vast, but to fully harness this transformative opportunity, immediate action is required. Our aim is to ensure the UK seizes the opportunities presented by AI technology and continues to be a world leader in AI development.
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Usman Ikhlaq
Usman Ikhlaq
Usman joined techUK in January 2024 as Programme Manager for Artificial Intelligence.
He leads techUK’s AI Adoption programme, supporting members of all sizes and sectors in adopting AI at scale. His work involves identifying barriers to adoption, exploring solutions, and helping to unlock AI’s transformative potential, particularly its benefits for people, the economy, society, and the planet. He is also committed to advancing the UK’s AI sector and ensuring the UK remains a global leader in AI by working closely with techUK members, the UK Government, regulators, and devolved and local authorities.
Since joining techUK, Usman has delivered a regular drumbeat of activity to engage members and advance techUK's AI programme. This has included two campaign weeks, the creation of the AI Adoption Hub (now the AI Hub), the AI Leader's Event Series, the Putting AI into Action webinar series and the Industrial AI sprint campaign.
Before joining techUK, Usman worked as a policy, regulatory and government/public affairs professional in the advertising sector. He has also worked in sales, marketing, and FinTech.
Usman holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a GDL and LLB from BPP Law School, and a BA from Queen Mary University of London.
When he isn’t working, Usman enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also has a keen interest in running, reading and travelling.
Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.
In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List.
She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
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Tess Buckley
Tess Buckley
A digital ethicist and musician, Tess holds a MA in AI and Philosophy, specialising in ableism in biotechnologies. Their professional journey includes working as an AI Ethics Analyst with a dataset on corporate digital responsibility, followed by supporting the development of a specialised model for sustainability disclosure requests. Currently at techUK as programme manager in digital ethics and AI safety, Tess focuses on demystifying and operationalising ethics through assurance mechanisms and standards. Their primary research interests encompass AI music systems, AI fluency, and technology created by and for differently abled individuals. Their overarching goal is to apply philosophical principles to make emerging technologies both explainable and ethical.
Outside of work Tess enjoys kickboxing, ballet, crochet and jazz music.
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- tessbuckley.me
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tesssbuckley/
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
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- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel is the Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers and governments.
Prior to joining the techUK team, she worked for the UK Labour Party and New Zealand Labour Party, and holds an MA in Strategic Communications at King’s College London and BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Manchester. She is currently taking part in the 2024-25 University of Bath Institute for Policy Research Policy Fellowship Programme.
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- 07805744520
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Audre Verseckaite
Audre Verseckaite
Audre joined techUK in July 2023 as a Policy Manager for Data. Previously, she was a Policy Advisor in the Civil Service, where she worked on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and at HM Treasury on designing COVID-19 support schemes and delivering the Financial Services and Markets Bill. Before that, Audre worked at a public relations consultancy, advising public and private sector clients on their communications, public relations, and government affairs strategy.
Prior to this, Audre completed an MSc in Public Policy at the Korea Development Institute and a Bachelor's in International Relations and History from SOAS, University of London. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about new cultures through travel and food, and going on adventures.
Edward Emerson
Edward Emerson
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes our work on online safety, fraud, and regulation for growth initiatives.
He has prior experience working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has previously worked for a number of public affairs consultancies specialising in research and strategy, working with leading clients in the technology and financial services sectors.
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- [email protected]
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-emerson-009189183
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
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- [email protected]
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538
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Kai Widdeson
Kai is a full stack developer. Formerly with Barclays Bank, Kai works across many of the Blue Hat projects implementing data driven solutions, AI proof of concepts, and embedded analytics with UK clients