Software Engineering for AI-Based Systems: A Survey

AI-based systems are software systems with functionalities enabled by at least one AI component (e.g., for image- and speech-recognition, and autonomous driving). AI-based systems are becoming pervasive in society due to advances in AI. However, there is limited synthesized knowledge on Software Engineering (SE) approaches for building, operating, and maintaining AI-based systems. To collect and analyze state-of-the-art knowledge about SE for AI-based systems, we conducted a systematic mapping study. We considered 248 studies published between January 2010 and March 2020. SE for AI-based systems is an emerging research area, where more than 2/3 of the studies have been published since 2018. The most studied properties of AI-based systems are dependability and safety. We identified multiple SE approaches for AI-based systems, which we classified according to the SWEBOK areas. Studies related to software testing and software quality are very prevalent, while areas like software maintenance seem neglected. Data-related issues are the most recurrent challenges. Our results are valuable for: researchers, to quickly understand the state of the art and learn which topics need more research; practitioners, to learn about the approaches and challenges that SE entails for AI-based systems; and, educators, to bridge the gap among SE and AI in their curricula.

Research Directions for Developing and Operating Artificial Intelligence Models in Trustworthy Autonomous Systems

Context: Autonomous Systems (ASs) are becoming increasingly pervasive in today's society. One reason lies in the emergence of sophisticated Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions that boost the ability of ASs to self-adapt in increasingly complex and dynamic environments. Companies dealing with AI models in ASs face several problems, such as users' lack of trust in adverse or unknown conditions, and gaps between systems engineering and AI model development and evolution in a continuously changing operational environment. Objective: This vision paper aims to close the gap between the development and operation of trustworthy AI-based ASs by defining a process that coordinates both activities. Method: We synthesize the main challenges of AI-based ASs in industrial settings. To overcome such challenges, we propose a novel, holistic DevOps approach and reflect on the research efforts required to put it into practice. Results: The approach sets up five critical research directions: (a) a trustworthiness score to monitor operational AI-based ASs and identify self-adaptation needs in critical situations; (b) an integrated agile process for the development and continuous evolution of AI models; (c) an infrastructure for gathering key feedback required to address the trustworthiness of AI models at operation time; (d) continuous and seamless deployment of different context-specific instances of AI models in a distributed setting of ASs; and (e) a holistic and effective DevOps-based lifecycle for AI-based ASs. Conclusions: An approach supporting the continuous delivery of evolving AI models and their operation in ASs under adverse conditions would support companies in increasing users' trust in their products.