Navigating the AI Landscape: Evaluating the Reliability of AI Chatbots for Software Engineering Research

In my work, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on our workflows, research methodologies, and product outputs. The increasing adoption of AI chatbots in software engineering is reshaping how we execute tasks, whether it’s automating code generation with Microsoft Copilot, enhancing testing processes, or conducting requirements engineering.

In this article, we’ll evaluate the reliability of various AI tools, particularly chatbots, in the context of software engineering research. By examining their performance and accuracy in responding to software-specific queries, we aim to discern their efficacy and lay down some guiding principles for leveraging these tools in responsible and productive ways. Our investigation will encompass an overview of the AI chatbots tested, the methodology utilized, key findings, and the implications of these insights.

Section 1: Understanding AI Chatbots in Research

AI chatbots serve as sophisticated tools designed for various applications across numerous fields, but particularly in research, they provide instant access to vast amounts of information, uncover insights, and automate tedious tasks. Understanding their…