Authors: Fatima Malik
Abstract: AI-driven automation in software engineering is transforming the way software systems are designed, developed, tested, and maintained. By integrating artificial intelligence techniques such as machine learning, natural language processing, and deep learning into development workflows, organizations can significantly enhance productivity, accuracy, and efficiency. This study explores the role of AI in automating key phases of the software development lifecycle, including requirement analysis, code generation, testing, debugging, and deployment. AI-powered tools enable intelligent code suggestions, automated bug detection, and predictive maintenance, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors. The paper also examines the integration of AI with DevOps practices, where automation pipelines are enhanced with intelligent decision-making capabilities to improve continuous integration and continuous deployment processes. Various real-world applications, including agile development environments, cloud-based systems, and large-scale enterprise applications, are discussed to demonstrate the practical impact of AI-driven automation. Despite its advantages, challenges such as data quality, model bias, security concerns, and lack of transparency in AI decisions remain significant. The study highlights potential solutions, including explainable AI, robust data governance, and continuous model evaluation. The findings emphasize that AI-driven automation is a key enabler for building efficient, scalable, and high-quality software systems in modern engineering practices.