Can you build software yourself with AI, or is it better to hire someone?
Yes, you can build working software yourself with AI, and for a prototype or internal tool that is often the best first step. As soon as customer data, payments or multiple users come in, you need someone who can assess the code. That is not a question of ability, but of what happens when things go wrong. I build with AI myself too, and this is where I draw the line.
Penetration testing and security testing: have what you built tested → How much does custom software cost? → Custom software or off-the-shelf software? →Can you build software yourself with AI?
Yes, with AI tools you can build a working prototype, a form, a script or a dashboard on non-sensitive data without programming experience. That works because the AI model writes the code and you describe what you want. It only gets difficult when the software has to be secure, reliable and maintainable for people other than you.
What works well with AI and what does not?
With AI, anything only you use and that harms nobody when it breaks usually works well. Software with logins, personal data and payments needs knowledge that an AI tool does not simply give you.
Where does software built with AI go wrong?
Software built with AI usually goes wrong on things you cannot see while the app works: passwords and keys in the code, screens anyone can reach by guessing the address, users seeing each other's data, no backups and outdated components with known vulnerabilities. The app looks good and does what you asked. What you did not ask for is often missing.
Built something and want to know whether it is secure? Describe your bottleneck →
Can you use personal data in an app you built yourself?
You may only use personal data in an app you built yourself if you comply with the GDPR. Article 32 of the GDPR requires appropriate security and you need data processing agreements with the services that process your data. As a business owner you are responsible, not the AI tool that wrote the code. So use only made-up test data while building.
How do you test whether self-built software is secure?
You test self-built software by having it tested the way an attacker would approach it. In a penetration test, someone with a test account tries to reach data in your application that is not meant for them, and you get a report with evidence per finding. If you also hand over the source code, leftover keys and outdated components become visible too. Do this before any real customer data goes in.
When is it better to have software built?
It is better to have software built as soon as one of these four things applies: personal data of customers or patients goes in, money flows through it, your business stops if it breaks or more than a few people will use it. The damage then outweighs the saving. With an internal tool without sensitive data, you can safely carry on yourself.
What is the best route: start yourself or have it built straight away?
The best route is often to start yourself and then hand it over. A working prototype is the best briefing you can give a builder: it shows exactly what you mean and what you actually do not need. After that you can have it checked and strengthened, or have it rebuilt on what was learned. The money spent on your prototype is then not lost, because there is less to work out.
The short version
Go ahead and build your prototype yourself with AI, and use only made-up data in it. Have it built or checked as soon as customer data or money is involved, your business depends on it or more than a few people work with it.
Built something and want to know whether it is secure?
Describe your bottleneck →