How DevOps Is Evolving: Embracing the AI Revolution

In the evolving landscape of technology, it's essential to keep an eye on emerging trends that reshape the way we work and the career paths we choose. The current ‘buzz word’ in tech is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into DevOps, and it raises several crucial questions.  

Is AI replacing DevOps? Is DevOps becoming obsolete? How will AI affect DevOps jobs? Will DevOps be automated in the future? What, if anything, is replacing DevOps?  

In this article, we'll find out more about these questions and grasp the impact of AI on DevOps. 

Is AI Replacing DevOps? 

The short answer is no; AI is not replacing DevOps.  

Instead, it is enhancing and transforming the approach. DevOps is the practice of combining development (Dev) and operations (Ops) to streamline and automate the software development and deployment processes.  

AI, however, is being utilised to optimise and improve these processes.  

DevOps teams are increasingly using AI to analyse data, identify bottlenecks, and make informed decisions. All these combined accelerate software delivery, which encapsulates the core reasons behind DevOps. 

For individuals interested in a career in DevOps, the integration of AI means that the role is evolving. It’s important to understand that it isn’t being replaced. Instead, DevOps professionals will need to adapt and acquire AI-related skills to remain competitive. 

We spoke with Anisa Elezi, Assessor Trainer in IT and Cyber Security at Gloucestershire College to hear what she had to say about the integration of AI in DevOps. “I strongly believe that the integration of AI into DevOps is not about replacing human expertise but enhancing and streamlining the development process. DevOps plays a crucial role in automating repetitive tasks, identifying patterns, and optimizing workflows, allowing teams to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of software development. It's about collaboration between human intelligence and machine capabilities to drive innovation and efficiency.” 

Is DevOps Becoming Obsolete? 

DevOps is not becoming obsolete; it is evolving. The principles of DevOps, such as collaboration, automation, and continuous improvement, remain crucial in the world of software development.  

However, the tools and technologies used within DevOps are changing, with AI playing a significant role. DevOps professionals must embrace these changes and continue to focus on their core principles while leveraging AI to enhance efficiency. 

Businesses are still prioritising DevOps practices in their business. In a 2020 trends survey, 61% of IT experts found that integrating DevOps into their processes led to improved quality in their deliverables for that year. Moreover, a staggering 99% of respondents acknowledged that DevOps had a favourable influence on their businesses. 

Will DevOps Be Automated in the Future? 

Automation has always been at the heart of DevOps, and AI is taking it to the next level. AI can automate routine tasks, monitor system health, and even predict potential issues. While many manual tasks within DevOps may become automated, the human touch in designing, maintaining, and enhancing AI-driven systems will remain vital. While AI is being integrated into these practices, the role and responsibilities of DevOps is still upheld. 

How Will AI Affect DevOps Jobs? 

AI is set to impact DevOps jobs in several ways.  

DevOps engineers will need to become more data-savvy, as AI-driven analytics will become integral in identifying areas for improvement in the software development lifecycle. Additionally, there will be a growing demand for professionals with expertise in both DevOps and AI, creating new career opportunities. 

Despite this, DevOps professionals are still highly sought after by many companies, small or large. Simply put, the future of DevOps is linked closely to AI but for businesses to compete in an already saturated market, investing in DevOps is key to reap the rewards that it brings. 

Is DevOps still a viable career to get into? 

According to a Statista report, a substantial 83% of IT decision-makers in the UK have adopted DevOps practices with the goal of realizing greater business value. The DevOps field continues to show promising growth as a viable career option in the IT and software development industry.  

As many companies strive to deliver software faster and more reliably, DevOps expertise becomes more crucial than ever and a viable career path for those with a passion for automation and improving software delivery processes. 

Preparing for the future of your business with DevOps 

A tried and trusted method for businesses wanting to save on training costs and benefit from DevOps in today’s digital age is through apprenticeships.  

Apprenticeships are a win-win scenario for individuals seeking a rewarding career and all types of businesses wanting to enhance agility, efficiency and innovation while reducing costs and mitigating risks. 

The DevOps Engineer Level 4 apprenticeship is ideal for any organisation that builds or operates modern IT services, from tech start-ups to government departments and multinationals.  

Now is the perfect time to start discussing your business training needs. Contact our team on employer.training@gloscol.ac.uk or 0345 155 2020 

Find out more about DevOps Apprenticeships at Gloucestershire College and how businesses can use apprenticeships to recruit or upskill existing staff here:

DevOps Engineer Level 4 Apprenticeships for Business

DevOps Apprenticeships 

If you're looking to start your career in this exciting field, the DevOps Engineer Apprenticeship Level 4. This apprenticeship is ideal for an Automation engineer, DevOps engineer, Full stack Developer, Site Reliability Engineer or any other role in software development who is looking to upskill. 

Hear what Mark Higgins, Assessor Trainer in IT at Gloucestershire College has to say about the DevOps Engineer Level 4 apprenticeship. “Our learner journey is built upon DevOps industry best practice and designed with flexibility to help your apprentices become productive, develop professional behaviours and contribute to your success as soon as possible.  

“In the last decade, software development has been revolutionised by DevOps and now by AI, driving innovation and reducing time to market across almost every industry sector touched by software. 

“A.I. and DevOps will touch every role in every company over the next decade, and you need your people to have the skills they need to not only adapt to these changes, but also thrive in the new A.I. and DevOps enabled economy.” 

The next DevOps Engineer Level 4 apprenticeship cohort starts in February 2024. Now is the perfect time to get in touch with our dedicated Employer Training & Apprenticeships team. 

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