The AI revolution in website development: What New Zealand leaders need to know

If current advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are anything to go by, this year AI will fundamentally transform how websites, web applications and mobile apps are developed, deployed and maintained.

To hit the ground running, here’s a guide on what to consider when choosing your AI agency or digital studio for your next project.

A new wave of digital development

The traditional model of working with a digital agency is being fundamentally changed thanks to AI. Previously, building a website or app, or delivering a new feature, might require a team of three engineers, a designer, a quality assurance specialist and a project manager, all working over several weeks. AI compresses both team size and delivery timelines. Various services and solutions can handle repetitive coding tasks, optimise performance and assist with quality assurance.

With AI we can realise:

• Reduced development cycles: AI speeds up processes, allowing teams to deliver faster.
• Reduced resource requirements: More efficient workflows and automation reduce the need for large teams.
• Faster iteration and testing: AI-enabled systems help streamline testing and enable rapid iteration.
• Increased project scope within the same budget: Thanks to AI automation, more complex features can be added without additional costs.

But this isn't simply about cost reduction, it's about value redistribution.

With AI accelerating the foundational aspects of software development we can now invest more resources in what truly matters: crafting exceptional user experiences and honing in on strategic business outcomes. Instead of the common take that AI will do away with our human experts, we're finding it’s allowing us to enhance our creativity and bring greater value to clients.

The partner versus build decision

One critical decision business leaders face is whether to build AI capabilities in-house or partner with an AI agency. While some organisations may opt to explore internal AI implementation, partnering with a digital agency that has already integrated AI into their workflows offers several advantages:

• Immediate access to optimised AI development processes: You can hit the ground running without the need to build out AI infrastructure.
• No learning curve or implementation delays: Avoid the time-consuming process of learning AI tools and methodologies from scratch.
• Proven methodologies with reduced risk: Established agencies have refined their processes over time, reducing the risk of costly errors.
• Scalable expertise without internal hiring: Instead of hiring and training an internal team, you gain access to top-tier talent with the right expertise.

Working with an agency means you can focus on your core business while leaving the AI-powered development to experts who already have the tools and knowledge to execute it efficiently.

Craft in the age of AI

At first glance, AI’s efficiency gains might suggest a focus on speed over quality. However, in the hands of the right agency this won't be the case. With AI handling many of the routine and repetitive tasks in web and app development, there can be more time and energy to devote to the finer details of the project.

While this differs for each project, it can include:

• Pixel-perfect design implementation: With less time spent on manual tasks, designers can focus on creating visually stunning, high-quality experiences.
• Performance optimisation: AI allows for faster performance analysis and optimisation, ensuring the app or website runs smoothly and quickly.
• Accessibility improvements: AI tools can help identify accessibility issues and automatically suggest improvements, making your digital products more inclusive.
• User experience refinement: With AI-powered insights into user behaviour, agencies can refine the UX for maximum impact.
• Security hardening: AI can also continuously scan for security vulnerabilities, ensuring that your digital product is always secure.

In essence, AI doesn’t just accelerate development, it also elevates it by allowing more focus on the craft of the product.

Making projects smarter: The rise of AI Agents

AI’s influence extends beyond the development process itself. AI agents are now an integral part of the entire project lifecycle, changing how digital transformation projects are planned, executed and maintained.

Project planning and discovery

The discovery phase, once reliant on long meetings and documentation, can now be enhanced with AI agents. During this phase these tools can:

• Analyse existing digital assets and competitor landscapes: AI can assess your current website or app, along with your competitors, to provide valuable insights.
• Generate comprehensive technical specifications: Instead of waiting for a human team to draft documents, AI can automatically generate technical specifications based on requirements.
• Identify potential technical challenges: AI can detect potential bottlenecks before development even begins, allowing for better preparation.
• Create detailed project timelines: With AI’s ability to analyse past projects and workflows, it can suggest more accurate timelines and resource allocations.

During development

Once development begins, AI agents can act as collaborators, helping to:

• Generate and optimise code: AI tools can automate code generation and even optimise existing code for better performance.
• Conduct real-time code reviews and quality assurance: AI-powered tools can review code for errors, improving the quality and reducing human oversight.
• Automate testing and bug detection: Continuous testing and automated bug tracking help ensure a smooth development process.
• Generate and maintain documentation: AI can automate the creation and updating of documentation, ensuring it's always current and accurate.

Continuous improvement

One of the often forgotten but very exciting potential implementations of AI comes post-launch, as these systems enable continuous optimisation and maintenance:

• Continuous performance monitoring and optimisation: AI can monitor performance in real-time and suggest improvements based on data.
• Automated security vulnerability detection: AI can automatically identify and patch security vulnerabilities, ensuring your site or app remains safe.
• User behaviour analysis: AI can track user behaviour, offering insights into how to improve features or content based on actual usage.
• Content optimisation and personalisation: AI can dynamically adjust content based on user preferences, providing a more personalised experience.

A new kind of partnership

AI is redefining what it means to partner with a web and app development company or digital agency. Rather than simply outsourcing development hours, you’re investing in a hybrid team - one that combines human expertise with AI capabilities.

When done right, this partnership can offer several key benefits:

• More predictable project outcomes: AI-driven processes ensure a smoother workflow and fewer surprises.
• Faster time-to-market: With AI tools speeding up development and testing, you can launch products quicker.
• Higher quality deliverables: AI helps maintain consistency and quality, reducing the likelihood of bugs and errors.
• Greater scope for innovation: With repetitive tasks automated, there’s more room for creative and innovative solutions.

Looking ahead: 2025 and beyond

As we move further into 2025, without a doubt AI's role in software development and digital transformation will continue to develop.

The rise of autonomous development will see AI systems capable of co-managing entire development workflows, including self-optimising websites that evolve based on user interactions and automated content generation for faster, more flexible updates.

Additionally, enhanced personalisation will enable AI-powered user experience customisation, delivering tailored experiences in real-time, along with predictive user journey optimisation to ensure an easy path for each visitor.

To further add value, AI will offer increased integration capabilities, allowing seamless connectivity with enterprise systems to enable real-time data syncing and more powerful, data-driven reporting.

Making the right choice for you

Choosing the right AI agency or digital studio for your project is a critical decision.

Here are some essential questions to ask:

• Does the agency have proven AI integration in their workflow? Look for agencies that have successfully implemented AI in their previous projects.
• Can they demonstrate tangible efficiency gains? Ask for examples of how AI has reduced development time and costs in past projects.
• Do they strike the right balance between automation and human expertise? Ensure they don’t rely solely on AI but combine it with skilled professionals.
• How do they handle quality assurance? Make sure they have strong processes in place for ensuring the quality and security of your product.

Embracing an AI-enhanced digital future

The future of web and app development is increasingly driven by AI. It’s not just about faster development, it's about reimagining what's possible in creating digital experiences on the web and apps. The most successful companies in 2025 will be those that understand AI not as a replacement for human talent, but as an amplifier of it.