NEC Corporation has announced the operational launch of Metabob, an AI-powered code review service designed to enhance software development processes. Developed by Metabob, Inc., a startup spun off from NEC X, Inc., the service aims to streamline the development of AI agents by automating code review tasks.
Metabob distinguishes itself from traditional static analysis tools by employing graph structures to analyze code dependencies and execution flow. This approach facilitates the early detection of complex bugs across multiple files, addressing issues that typically manifest as runtime errors. The AI model, trained on millions of code-fix examples, can autonomously identify bugs, explain their causes, and suggest fixes.
NEC reports that the implementation of Metabob has resulted in significant reductions in labor hours required for software maintenance and defect fixes. Specifically, labor hours decreased by 66% compared to manual reviews and by 50% compared to existing coding AI tools. These results were achieved under NEC's 'Client Zero' initiative, which involves the company acting as the first user of its own technologies.
Massimiliano Genta, Founder and CEO of Metabob, highlighted the importance of the NEC X program in providing technical and financial support, as well as access to enterprise customers and investors. He emphasized the collaboration's success in demonstrating AI's potential for safe and effective use in large-scale software development.
NEC X President and CEO Shintaro Matsumoto noted that Metabob's technology is already delivering results within the NEC Group. He expressed optimism that the service's combination of advanced code analysis and generative AI could set a new standard for AI utilization in companies with large-scale, mission-critical systems.
Tokuaki Seki, Executive Professional at NEC's Corporate IT Systems Division, stated that Metabob is a key driver in NEC's transformation into an AI-native company. He underscored the role of AI in enhancing productivity and accelerating innovation across the NEC Group.
NEC and NEC X plan to continue verifying Metabob's effectiveness and exploring its broader adoption across various fields, reinforcing their commitment to operational efficiency and productivity.