Imagine you need to build an app for your business, but you don’t have coding experience or an IT team to help. A few years ago, that would have been a deal-breaker. Today, thanks to low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms, anyone—from a small business owner to a corporate manager—can create powerful applications without writing complex code. And now, with AI-driven automation stepping in, things are getting even more interesting.
But what’s next for these platforms? How will AI reshape the way we build applications? And more importantly, how can businesses leverage these advancements to stay ahead of the curve? Let’s dive in.
Where We Are Now: The Rise of LCNC Platforms
Before we look at what’s next, let’s take a step back and appreciate how far LCNC platforms have come.
Not long ago, software development was the exclusive domain of professional developers. If you wanted a custom app, you had to hire a team of coders, wait months for development, and pay a hefty sum. Then came LCNC platforms like Airtable, OutSystems, Mendix, and Bubble, which changed the game completely. These tools allow users to build software through drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built templates, and simple logic-based workflows—no coding required.
The impact? Companies can now develop apps at five times the speed and one-tenth the cost compared to traditional coding.
And now, AI and automation are pushing these platforms even further. Let’s see how.
AI + LCNC = The Next Big Revolution
AI is adding an intelligence layer to LCNC platforms, making them more powerful, intuitive, and efficient. Here’s how:
1. AI-Powered Code Generation: You Type, AI Builds
If you’ve ever struggled with writing formulas in Excel or structuring an SQL query, imagine a tool that understands what you want and writes the logic for you. That’s exactly what AI-powered code generation does.
Tools like GitHub Copilot and OpenAI’s ChatGPT are already helping developers by auto-generating code snippets based on natural language descriptions. Now, similar AI assistants are being integrated into LCNC platforms, allowing users to describe what they want in plain English—and letting the AI do the heavy lifting.
Example: Instead of manually setting up a database query, you can type: “Show me all customer orders from the last 6 months sorted by purchase amount,” and AI will generate the exact query for you.
This feature is making LCNC platforms even more accessible for non-technical users.
2. Intelligent Workflow Automation: AI as Your Digital Assistant
Let’s say you run an e-commerce business and need to automate customer follow-ups. Traditionally, you’d have to manually set up conditions, triggers, and actions within an LCNC platform. Now, AI can do that for you.
Zapier, Make (formerly Integromat), and Microsoft Power Automate are already incorporating AI-driven automation that can learn from patterns and suggest the most efficient workflows. Instead of spending hours configuring automations, you can now ask AI, “What’s the best way to follow up with my customers?”—and it will create a smart workflow tailored to your business.
Case Study: A retail business using AI-driven LCNC automation reduced order processing errors by 35% and improved customer response time by 50%. By integrating AI-driven workflows, their team could focus more on growth and less on manual work.
3. Natural Language Processing (NLP): Build Apps By Talking
Remember when building an app meant understanding complex logic and databases? AI-powered NLP is removing that barrier entirely.
With tools like Google’s Dialogflow and Microsoft’s AI Builder, users can now speak or type their app requirements in natural language. Instead of manually designing workflows, you could say, “Create a chatbot that answers customer FAQs and connects them to a support agent if needed.” The AI then generates the chatbot’s logic, connects the necessary integrations, and even suggests enhancements based on similar use cases.
This means that even users with zero tech background can build functional applications within minutes.
4. AI-Driven Automated Testing: No More Bugs!
Testing an app before launch is crucial, but it’s also one of the most time-consuming tasks. Enter AI-driven testing.
Platforms like Functionize use AI to automatically detect and fix bugs. These tools analyze your app’s behavior, predict potential issues, and even run tests across multiple devices and environments—all without human intervention.
Why does this matter? A report by Forrester found that AI-driven testing can reduce software errors by 40% and shorten debugging time by 30%. This means fewer crashes, better performance, and happier users.
5. AI for Personalization: Smarter, More Engaging Apps
We’ve all seen how AI powers personalized experiences—like Netflix recommending movies or Amazon suggesting products. Now, LCNC platforms are integrating AI to personalize user experiences in real-time.
For example, if you’re building an internal HR app, AI can analyze how employees interact with the platform and suggest improvements. Maybe a form is too long, or a process has too many steps—AI will flag these issues and offer solutions.
Real-World Example: A financial services company used AI-driven LCNC tools to personalize customer dashboards, resulting in a 25% increase in engagement and 15% higher customer retention rates.
What’s Next? Predictions for AI in LCNC
So, where is all of this headed? Here are some exciting developments we can expect:
1. Hyper-Automation: The Future of Workflows
AI will soon allow businesses to automate entire end-to-end processes, not just individual tasks. Think of a system that detects an issue, finds a solution, and fixes it—without human involvement.
Gartner predicts that by 2025, over 70% of businesses will rely on AI-driven hyper-automation.
2. Self-Learning LCNC Platforms
Right now, LCNC platforms require some input from users. But in the future, AI-driven LCNC platforms will learn from past projects, understand industry trends, and make proactive recommendations.
For example, if you’re in retail, your LCNC tool might suggest AI-driven inventory forecasting or dynamic pricing adjustments—without you even asking.
3. Enhanced Security & Compliance
With AI playing a bigger role in LCNC development, security is a top concern. AI-powered platforms will soon feature real-time threat detection, automated compliance monitoring, and AI-driven risk assessments to prevent cyberattacks before they happen.
A Forrester report predicts that AI-driven security solutions will reduce cyberattack risks by 60% for businesses using LCNC platforms.
Final Thoughts: Is Your Business Ready for AI-Powered LCNC?
The fusion of AI and LCNC platforms is a game-changer, allowing businesses to build smarter, faster, and more efficient applications. Whether you’re a startup, an enterprise, or an individual looking to develop an app, these advancements mean you no longer need a tech background to innovate.
So, what’s your next move? Will you embrace AI-driven automation and future-proof your business? The tools are here—now it’s up to you to take advantage of them.
The future is here—are you ready?