The world of web development has improved a lot in only a few years. There have been several major changes and development since the time of Java to that of automated website builders. Today, we have innumerable possibilities we may not have dreamed of even ten years ago. The increasing number of frameworks and programming languages is also creating an increase in the number and demand for skilled web developers. But along with that, we also have the invention of artificial intelligence that has revolutionized website development in more ways than we can imagine.
In its primary sense, artificial intelligence or AI essentially refers to the intellectual abilities in machines and devices that are different from natural human intellect. The technology is a human construct, and it works by mimicking cognitive human behavior and functions. AI can be made to learn from repetitive actions. It is primarily aimed at logical thinking that is better than what the human mind can. It can overcome all the limitations that come with human logical thinking and comprehension.
Artificial intelligence today is often used alongside web developers, and in many cases, it is integrated into frameworks and website builders. The goal is to understand the human mind and human psychology and create something based on it to reduce human labor. While artificial intelligence promotes efficiency, on the one hand, on the other hand, it may replace human beings and result in people losing their jobs. It has several benefits, but like everything else comes with certain disadvantages as well.
Many website builders facilitate web development without the need to hire a web developer or any coding knowledge. It is only possible due to artificial intelligence. AI has made it possible to understand what a website requires to be set up. It has helped to automate all the work that web developers previously had to do by writing codes and created ready-built templates and extensions. The best example of this is The Grid, which has an automated web builder Molly. Even since, many platforms have come with similar builders such as WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, etc., that make it possible to set a website in only a few minutes. Anybody can build a website on these platforms, and these websites can also be customized.
However, there is always a limit to the amount of customization that can be done in the pre-built templates. The possibilities are not endless. So ultimately, to create that level of customization, which will make a site stand out among several others of its kind, an experienced web developer is necessary. AI has not yet been able to replace coding entirely, and there are many intricacies involved in coding that it cannot do.
But AI can be integrated into the coding process to help developers code faster and smarter. It can be used to add new database records in the system and update existing ones. It can also be used for predictive analytics. Artificial intelligence can be used to identify and pair some snippets of code to develop perfect solutions to various problems. Further, it can help create and functional codes for web developers to use them. Integrating such artificially built codes can ensure faster websites.
With artificial intelligence, it is also possible to determine customer psychology and fulfill their unique requirements. Many websites have pre-built artificial intelligence systems that analyze customer data to understand what s/he likes and markets different kinds of products accordingly. Based on what the customer purchases, AI can also suggest other products. These implementations in e-commerce websites have brought in huge amounts of profit.
However, with the analysis of customer data, comes the question of security. If artificial intelligence has access to customer data, there is a possibility of a breach of customer privacy. The more personalized the experience is for customers, it essentially means these AI systems have access to more and more private information about them and their everyday interactions involving the website or outside of it.
One of the primary concerns that come with creating a website is search engine optimization. All sites must be optimized for popular search engines to gain maximum profit from it. Artificial intelligence can also help to do this. It can predict and analyze and help to use metadata to its full potential. It can ensure that the use of both metadata and meta descriptions is efficient and effective. It can also detect content that is not suitable for search engines and help to modify them in a way to make them search engine ready.
One of the best contributions of artificial intelligence to web development is the addition of chatbots on websites. Chatbots are designed to provide round the clock real-time customer support to all the customers. It helps to omit the need for human assistance at odd hours when someone might not be available. Chatbots help customers with their queries and problems and give them solutions to them.
Yet, all the responses that customers get are automated ones. Chatbots are yet to evolve enough to give them personalized chatting experience or personal responses. Customers may want more than just an automated response to their questions. Only a properly functional customer care service that involves real human beings can provide that.
It is because of the integration of artificial intelligence in web development that we have search based recommendations when we browse through e-commerce sites like Amazon or entertainment platforms like Netflix. AI is also the primary technology behind tags and labels in Google's Image Search, where we see a set of similar images when we search for an image.
The contribution and impact of artificial intelligence in web development is massive. Seamless integration of AI and web developers can reduce the time it takes to develop websites and web applications. It can also help to create better sites with more smart features and improved facilities for users.
However, AI is yet to master human emotions. While it may seem unnecessary, it is indispensable in website development. AI can understand the patterns in human behavior but not the various crucial factors that drive them to behave that way. Further, a significant aspect of web development is communication. Proper communication with the team and the clients is what makes a website successful. To create unique, customized websites, it is essential to understand what clients want rather than give them a limited number of options. It is necessary to communicate with them about the feasibility of their ideas and come with solutions that can help retain those ideas without compromising on website functionality.
The future of web development then holds many new and unexplored potentials. All of this is only possible due to the invention of artificial intelligence. AI has had an incredible impact on development in only a few years, and so there is no knowing how far this impact will go. Although it will not be possible to make it the sole technology behind web development, its contribution is likely to increase even further in the years to come.
Further read here, Front-End developers interview questions to prepare for the recruitment interviews.
