Everyone developer: how AI and low-code bring business and IT closer together

Software creation is no longer confined to specialist developers. Across industries, employees are designing their own digital tools with the help of low-code, no-code and AI. This movement, known as Citizen IT, is reshaping how organisations solve problems and innovate. But when everyone can build, how do you balance creativity with control?

The rise of Citizen IT

Citizen IT is more than a trend; it represents a fundamental shift in how organisations think about technology. When business users gain access to tools that allow them to build applications, automate workflows and test new ideas, innovation becomes a shared responsibility.

However, democratising development requires structure and guidance. Without the right frameworks and platforms , enthusiasm can quickly lead to fragmented, insecure or duplicated systems. Successful organisations balance creativity with control by providing the capabilities, training and governance to ensure that innovation happens safely and at scale.

Many achieve this through a Citizen Development Centre of Excellence — hubs where business users and IT specialists collaborate. These centres provide mentoring, share best practices and offer technical oversight, ensuring that new applications comply with governance, security and performance standards while still encouraging experimentation.

A new role for professional developers

In this evolving environment, professional developers are not replaced; their roles evolve. They become mentors, integrators and quality stewards who guide citizen developers, ensure interoperability and maintain the stability of systems across the organisation.

This collaboration creates a more dynamic partnership. Business teams can innovate quickly while IT retains oversight and ensures that technical foundations remain strong and scalable. Artificial intelligence strengthens this partnership by accelerating development cycles and turning ideas into prototypes in hours rather than weeks. Routine coding tasks are automated, freeing developers to focus on complex, high-impact work that drives strategic value.

Creating value together

Citizen IT is not a passing trend; it is a redefinition of how work gets done.

At AE, we see every day how organisations that embrace Citizen IT accelerate their digital transformation while maintaining control and quality. They empower their people to act on ideas, while their developers focus on innovation that truly matters.

The AE Digital Excellence Report 2026 explores how leading organisations are building governance and confidence around this new way of creating value and what it means for the partnership between business and IT.