Perforce report examines AI impact on automotive software

Perforce has unveiled its 2025 State of Software Report, which examines trends and challenges in software development among automotive professionals worldwide, with insights from 650 surveyed developers. It highlights the rising use of AI, stresses on safety over security, and the complexities faced by less experienced engineers.

The report identified that the global economy is currently the most significant external factor affecting software development, cited by 50% of respondents, alongside concerns related to ongoing global conflicts (31%) and supply chain issues (28%). Changes in work patterns, such as outsourcing and hybrid work arrangements, have also influenced development processes.

In regards to AI, 42% of automotive professionals noted its role in driving autonomous vehicle design, while 41% highlighted its influence on connected vehicle components. Areas like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and In-Vehicle Infotainment are prominently adopting AI/ML integration. Safety remains a top priority, with 49% expressing concerns over safe decision-making for AI in autonomous contexts.

Jill Britton, Director of Compliance at Perforce, commented, "Automotive software development is becoming more dependent on AI systems, but the software must still be developed, deployed, and maintained with safety in mind. AI systems bring additional challenges to achieving functional safety and to provide guidance, new and updated standards are emerging for their use in safety-critical applications."

Security issues continue to be a focus, with 39% identifying regulatory compliance as the most pressing challenge. Code vulnerabilities were acknowledged by almost half of the professionals surveyed, underlining an ongoing struggle with software security.

Nearly 76% of organisations are investing in security training and tools to mitigate these issues, reflecting a broader industry trend towards bolstering security regimes. Compliance with industry standards remains a critical factor, as the adoption of coding standards has risen with 86% of respondents implementing at least one.

Furthermore, over half of the automotive development teams are leveraging static analysis tools to adhere to key standards such as MISRA and ISO 21434. Static analysis and application security testing tools are widely used, according to the report, with a significant 53% employing such tools to enhance software quality. Version control and project management tools are also prevalent among teams.

Steve Howard, Static Analysis Product Evangelist and Director of Product, stated, "Developers are turning to static analysis tools to manage complex code bases, ensuring compliance with industry standards like MISRA and ISO 21434."

The report also touches on the working environment, with verification and validation activities taking up substantial team time. Open source software adoption is increasing; however, time constraints and security concerns continue to deter some involvement, particularly regarding integration into proprietary systems.

As the industry moves forward, the report suggests that maximizing existing resources and educating current talent are becoming priorities, noted by 49% and 42% of respondents, respectively. Tracking code quality metrics to mitigate errors has become increasingly crucial, reflecting a 12% rise in organisations implementing such measures.

The report's findings underscore the need for continuous adaptation in the automotive software sector, particularly as regulatory demands evolve and AI integration becomes more pervasive. The prospective introduction of MISRA C:2025 is expected to influence over half of automotive developers, highlighting the ongoing need for robust quality and compliance tools.