Unit 4.7
New Trends in Software: AI, Cloud, and Low-Code
IT 231: IT and Application
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- ✅ Identify major trends shaping modern software.
- ✅ Describe the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on applications.
- ✅ Explain cloud computing and the Software as a Service (SaaS) model.
- ✅ Define low-code and no-code development platforms.
Three Forces Shaping Software Today
The world of software is constantly evolving, driven by three key trends:
🤖 Artificial Intelligence
Making software smarter, predictive, and automated.
☁️ Cloud & SaaS
Changing how software is delivered and accessed.
⚡ Low-Code / No-Code
Democratizing application development for everyone.
Trend 1: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & ML
Definition: AI and Machine Learning (ML) enable software to learn from data, make predictions, and automate complex tasks, going beyond fixed instructions.
🔍 Instead of just doing what it's told, software can now learn and adapt.
Examples in Your Daily Life:
- Netflix / Spotify recommendation engines
- Siri and Google Assistant voice commands
- AI-powered "Content-Aware Fill" in Adobe Photoshop
Trend 2: Cloud Computing & SaaS
☁️ Cloud Computing
The delivery of computing services (servers, storage, software) over the internet.
Think of it as renting computing power instead of owning it.
📦 Software as a Service (SaaS)
A software delivery model where applications are accessed via a web browser on a subscription basis.
This is a direct result of cloud computing.
The Shift: From Owning to Renting Software
Traditional Model (Buying)
- High upfront cost (perpetual license)
- Install on individual computers
- Manual updates and maintenance
- Example: Buying a Microsoft Office 2007 CD
SaaS Model (Subscribing)
- Low monthly/yearly fee
- Access anywhere via browser
- Automatic updates by the provider
- Example: Subscribing to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365
Key Impact: SaaS lowers costs and makes powerful software more accessible to individuals and small businesses.
Practical Application: SaaS in Nepal
The SaaS model is powering many businesses and services you use daily in Nepal.
Local Examples:
- Payment Gateways: Khalti and eSewa offer their services to businesses on a subscription/transactional basis.
- Ride-Sharing: Apps like Pathao and inDrive are SaaS platforms connecting drivers and riders.
- Business Software: Companies like Vianet and WorldLink use SaaS for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and billing.
Trend 3: Low-Code / No-Code
Definition: Platforms that allow users to build applications using visual, drag-and-drop interfaces instead of writing traditional code.
The goal is to empower "citizen developers"—people with business knowledge but little to no programming experience.
⚡ Impact
- Faster development cycles
- Lower development costs
- Enables business teams to build their own tools
🛠️ Examples
- Microsoft Power Apps
- AppGyver (SAP)
- Bubble
Summary: Key Takeaways
The future of software is more intelligent, accessible, and democratized.
- 🎯 AI and ML are making software smarter by enabling it to learn and predict.
- 🎯 Cloud Computing has paved the way for the SaaS subscription model, changing how we access and pay for software.
- 🎯 Low-code/no-code platforms are empowering more people to create custom applications without needing to be expert programmers.
📊 For Discussion
- What is an example of an AI-powered feature you have used recently? How did it help you?
- What are the advantages of a SaaS model (like Spotify) for a user compared to buying music albums?
- Do you think low-code platforms will replace traditional programmers? Why or why not?