Intelligent software assistants have been introduced to help developers cope with increasing complexity and information overload across the software lifecycle. In practice, these systems are no longer used only as optional tools that provide recommendations. They are becoming embedded in everyday workflows and influencing how software engineers search for information, make decisions, and carry out development tasks. Yet, not all uses of AI assistance are equally justified. Emerging evidence suggests that a substantial portion of everyday interactions with AI systems may not require their full capabilities, especially when they are used for simple information retrieval or tasks that could be addressed through lower-cost alternatives. As a result, without careful consideration of how these systems are used, the role of assistants in software development may shift from support to overreliance. In this keynote, I invite you to reflect on how this shift challenges current assumptions about when and how intelligent software assistants should be used in software development.

Dr. Ronnie de Souza Santos is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Software Engineering in the Department of Electrical and Software Engineering at the University of Calgary and Head of the PLURISE Lab (Plural Software Engineering for a Plural Society). His research investigates socio-technical aspects of software engineering, with emphasis on fairness and responsible artificial intelligence in software systems, including topics such as software development processes, quality assurance, project management, and algorithmic bias in AI-enabled systems. A central component of his research program considers how software engineering practices can incorporate principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, contributing to the development of software systems that better reflect and support the diversity of society.