Special issues on emerging technologies and their importance for software and systems processes

The integration of these emerging technologies into software and systems processes is not merely a matter of technological advancement but a fundamental shift in how software is conceived, developed, and deployed. As organizations strive to innovate and stay competitive in today's digital economy, harnessing the power of AI, big data, blockchain, AR, and other emerging technologies is imperative for driving efficiency, agility, and innovation in software and systems development. By embracing these technologies and adapting to the evolving technological landscape, software developers and organizations can unlock new opportunities, address complex challenges, and deliver transformative solutions that meet the evolving needs of users and stakeholders.

The 17th International Conference on Software and System Processes (ICSSP) held in 2023 focused on the theme “Software and System Processes for and with Emerging Technologies.” This theme reflects the accelerating pace of technological advancement and its profound impact on software and system development practices. The conference provided a platform for researchers and practitioners to explore innovative approaches in incorporating new technologies into software and system processes, aiming to advance the state of both research and practice in the field.

This special issue of the Journal of Software: Evolution and Process features a selection of high-quality articles from ICSSP 2023 that exemplify the conference theme. The articles selected for inclusion cover a range of topics related to software and system processes, highlighting the diverse applications of emerging technologies in improving development practices and how to improve our engineering processes when developing systems using emerging technologies.

The selection process for the seven articles featured in this special issue involved a rigorous evaluation of the scientific contributions presented at the ICSSP 2023. Out of the 10 scientific articles presented at the conference, the editorial team carefully selected the four most outstanding articles based on their originality, relevance to the conference theme, and contribution to advancing software and systems processes. These selected articles underwent an extended review process and were expanded into comprehensive articles for inclusion in this special issue. Additionally, the three keynote speakers at the conference were invited to contribute articles summarizing their research presentations and providing valuable insights into the field. It is important to note that all submitted articles, including those selected for this special issue, underwent thorough peer reviews by experts in the field before being accepted for publication in the journal. The inclusion of these keynote articles further enriches this special issue by offering diverse perspectives and cutting-edge research in software and systems processes.

The articles featured in this special issue can be categorized into two distinct groups, each addressing crucial aspects of software and systems engineering in the context of emerging technologies. The first group comprises articles that explore the utilization of emerging technologies to enhance software and systems engineering practices or to develop systems with dedicated qualities. They demonstrate innovative approaches to incorporating emerging technologies into software development processes, thereby improving efficiency, security, and reliability.

On the other hand, the second group of articles focuses on process improvement in general, recognizing that despite the proliferation of new technologies, software engineering remains fundamentally human-based. These articles emphasize the importance of having qualified and motivated software engineers and well-suited, high-quality processes as essential components for effectively integrating emerging technologies into software engineering practices. These articles highlight the critical role of human expertise and process excellence in driving successful software development endeavors amidst evolving technological landscapes.

Together, these two groups of articles offer comprehensive insights into the intersection of emerging technologies and software engineering processes, emphasizing the significance of both technological innovation and human-centered approaches for advancing the field.

The articles included in this special issue exemplify the diverse applications of emerging technologies in software and system processes and the importance of continuing to improve our engineering processes when developing systems using emerging technologies. By addressing key challenges and proposing innovative solutions, these articles contribute to advancing the state of the research and practice in the field. We hope this special issue serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners interested in exploring the intersection of software and system processes with emerging technologies.