Nowadays, AI is rapidly covering all industries, including IT. Currently, artificial intelligence can perform many functions to facilitate the work of developers, starting from generating pieces of code and ending with its verification through testing. It is also worth noting that WPF is one of the leading technologies for creating desktop applications for business purposes. That is why now, when searching for professional WPF developers, many organizations seek to hire those candidates who already have experience in using AI tools in their work and understand their specifics.
Why WPF Developers use AI tools in the development process
Here are a few examples of the AI tools with their main function that are often used by the WPF application developers:
- AI tools that help with code generation or completions. Among the examples are GitHub Copilot (which offers C#/XAML autocompletions based on the context and understands the MVVM patterns), Tabnine (an AI code assistant), AWS CodeWhisperer, etc.
- AI tools for the fast generation of unit tests (ReSharper AI, Testim, etc.).
- AI tools that provide suggestions regarding code quality (SonarQube AI, ReSharper AI).
- AI tools for the generation of the structured WPF project documentation (GitHub Copilot, Codeium).
- AI tools for the reviews of the WPF code (CodeGuru Reviewer, etc.).
What skills should AI-aware WPF software engineers have?
- The developer should have several years of experience in planning, designing, and building complex WPF applications.
- Strong expertise in C#/.NET and XAML.
- Strong understanding of the MVVM.
- Significant experience in the development of custom controls.
- Ability to conduct the performance optimization of the existing desktop applications.
- Strong experience in the usage of AI tools and AI coding assistants in development work, understanding of the AI-generated code, and the ability to understand and approve or reject improvements based on the specifics of the project.
- The experience in working with such AI tools as GitHub Copilot, Tabnine, or similar.
- Ability to use AI tools for code generation/refactoring, unit test writing, and issue detection.
- Hands-on experience in working with AI-featured coding IDEs.
Where to hire AI-Aware WPF Developers?
There are various channels you can use to find professional developers with expertise in using AI tools. Below, we provide a few examples:
- Although LinkedIn is a very standard search channel, you can find many professionals there if you correctly configure the search by skills and competencies.
- Job sites. You need to clearly formulate the requirements for the candidate, describe the project and the benefits that your company offers the candidate, and post your offer so that interested candidates can send you their resumes themselves.
- Referrals can work really well in terms of hiring, where your current developers recommend other experts for a project that they have worked with before or have worked with in the past.
- Specialized AI forums or forums dedicated to desktop development
- IT communities like Reddit or Stack Overflow
- You can hire WPF developers with AI usage skills from a professional desktop development company
How to verify WPF Developers’ skills in AI tools usage experience
Here are a few tips:
- The first step in the hiring process is to screen the candidate’s profile or resume. The resume should list the AI tools that the developer is proficient in. It is also a huge plus if the descriptions of their previous projects contain details about their responsibilities and tasks with a clear description of AI use cases.
- During the interview, it is worth asking the candidate clear and focused questions about the specific tools that the candidate has stated they have experience with. You can also ask about specific use cases when they consider the use of such assistants appropriate and when it would be unnecessary. You can also ask how AI tools helped optimize the workflow on a specific project.
- During a technical interview, you can be offered to complete a small test in the form of a coding challenge with an AI assistant.
Green flags in the candidate’s answers:
- Uses AI to automate routine and repetitive tasks.
- The developer understands that AI may not always give correct recommendations and that they need to be checked/filtered depending on the project (sometimes AI may even suggest code that will not meet the project’s security criteria and may introduce vulnerabilities into the project).
- The engineer understands the specifics of how AI tools work and knows how to effectively implement their use into the workflow.
Red flags in the candidate’s answers:
- The candidate accepts any recommendations from the AI assistant without any special verification.
- Does not understand the essence of the generated part of the code and cannot explain it.
- Uses AI for all aspects without exception.
How AI tools improve the WPF development process
Among the benefits of AI tool usage in the development process are the following:
- Faster development speed due to process automation and the delegation of routine work to the AI tool.
- Enhanced features delivery and faster desktop application delivery to the market.
- Improved quality of the code itself and reduced likelihood of making a mistake and creating a bug.
- Faster code testing, validation, and writing tests and documentation.
- Faster code refactoring or migration.
How to upskill your WPF developers with AI tools usage
If your company already has desktop development teams and already has a plan to implement AI tools into processes, you need to develop the skills of your current engineers. How best to do this:
- The fastest and easiest way to hire an expert who has relevant experience and can share their knowledge and improve the skills of their colleagues.
- You can organize specialized workshops, arrange training programs for your developers, and allocate time to improve their skills in real time on your project.
- Integrate AI tools into processes and encourage your developers to use them.
Hiring developers who are professionals in their field, well-versed in the specifics of WPF applications, and able to rationally use AI tools in their work is an essential component of the success of the company and its projects.
