Technical Review of my Book Generative AI in Software Engineering: A Book About a Transforming Discipline

The book Generative AI in Software Engineering, edited by yours truly (José Alfonso Aguilar-Calderón), has finally been published. And no, it’s not just another book full of empty promises about “the future of artificial intelligence,” but a serious, comprehensive, and practical exploration of how generative AI is transforming every corner of software engineering.

This project began with a simple but persistent question I kept hearing in academic discussions, classrooms, and even casual conversations with colleagues: Can generative AI change the way we program? This book answers yes—and it brings solid arguments and real-world examples to support that claim.

What makes this book different?

This book doesn’t stay in the purely academic or overly technical sphere. Instead, it strikes a balance between theory, historical context, practical application, and critical reflection. It’s ideal for those of us who live at the intersection of engineering, teaching, and hands-on development.

What does the book offer?

The book is organized into 13 chapters authored by experts from universities and companies in India, Mexico, the U.S., and other countries—giving it a rich diversity of perspectives. Some of the topics include:

• The evolution of AI leading up to the generative era

• Comparisons between traditional development methodologies and AI-powered ones

• Software maintenance using LLMs (who hasn’t dreamed of self-repairing code?)

• Platforms like AutoGen AI for code and content generation

• Real use cases in business and education already applying GenAI

One of the most compelling sections (in my very biased opinion) is Chapter 8, which I co-authored with colleagues from the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa. It focuses on the impact of GenAI on web development—how tools like ChatGPT, transformers, and diffusion models are reshaping interface design, documentation, and front-end programming.

What makes it special?

Well, I can’t say it’s special—I edited it—but I can confidently say it offers several features that might be of great interest to both academic readers and industry professionals:

• Covers the full software lifecycle: From requirements analysis to documentation and maintenance. It doesn’t just focus on code.

• Real-world case studies: This isn’t all theory. The book includes applied examples, making it useful for practitioners too.

• Critical perspective: It doesn’t ignore ethical challenges, adoption gaps, or the looming threat of deskilling. Chapter 13, for example, analyzes how tools like GitHub Copilot are redefining the role of software developers.

• Wide range of applications: From medical predictions to IoT integrations.

Who should read it?

Let’s be honest—AI and GenAI are more than a trend at this point. They’re a technological shift. So I recommend this book if:

• You’re experimenting with tools like GitHub Copilot or ChatGPT in your daily work.

• You’re an educator looking to redesign your curriculum to train future-proof engineers (see Chapter 7).

• You’re a project leader in need of strong arguments for integrating AI into development workflows.

• You’re a student who wants to understand the future of your profession—not just memorize another framework.

Final thoughts: a must-read for anyone in tech

Generative AI in Software Engineering is one of those books that doesn't just inform—it invites you to reflect on how and why we build software. It doesn't promise that AI will magically fix everything, but it does make one thing clear: software engineering is undergoing a metamorphosis, and those who don’t adapt will be left behind.

A highly recommended read—deep yet accessible—for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve.

You can get your copy here: Book Link

So mote it be.

Suggested Citation:

Aguilar-Calderón, J. A. (2025). Generative AI in Software Engineering. Editorial blog post. Retrieved from https://anovalabmx.blogspot.com/2025/06/technical-review-of-my-book-generative.html