OutSystems unveils Mentor for AI-driven app development

OutSystems has announced the launch of Mentor, the first digital worker designed specifically for the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) and powered by low-code and GenAI.

The unveiling took place at the OutSystems ONE Conference, where CEO and Founder Paulo Rosado presented Mentor as a transformative approach to software development and management workflows. This platform, formerly known as Project Morpheus, allows developers to use AI-driven processes for app generation, optimisation, and automated quality checks.

Paulo Rosado commented on the rise of generative software: "The Generative Software Cycle is here. In fact, 93% of executives are planning to increase their investment in AI-powered solutions, driving developer productivity and value creation to unprecedented heights. But speed can lead to technical debt and security issues if not managed carefully. With OutSystems Mentor, developers can now build full-stack applications in minutes, without sacrificing quality, security, or governance. Mentor ensures apps are built right from the start, changing how software development gets done."

Mentor introduces a "shift-left" strategy that advances app development by starting earlier in the project lifecycle, providing tools for both discovery and rapid prototyping. This allows IT teams to validate ideas and refine initial designs before proceeding to full-scale development. Developers can describe their app vision, and Mentor will generate initial versions complete with front-end functionality, data models, and embedded business logic.

Mentor enhances productivity by offering the following key capabilities: it generates fully functional, scalable applications rapidly using GenAI, iterates applications continuously with AI-powered suggestions, embeds AI agents to add features like natural language understanding and maintains high application standards through AI-powered code reviews.

This offering represents a significant advancement in OutSystems' strategy to leverage generative AI technologies to enhance application development. Unlike traditional code generation, Mentor addresses challenges like code quality and maintainability, allowing teams to reduce technical debt and enhance transparency.

Forrester Analysts John Bratincevic and Diego Lo Giudice remarked on the integration of AI into the SDLC: "The classical SDLC assumes that ideation, analysis, design, and development tasks are and should be performed by separate specialised roles and steps—but AI can and will combine these tasks into a frictionless creative act."

The launch of Mentor marks a notable shift in how organisations can approach the software development lifecycle, particularly with the integration of generative AI and low-code capabilities. As companies increasingly look for innovative solutions to improve efficiency and manage complexity in software projects, Mentor's capabilities may play a pivotal role in shaping the future of application development practices.