Engineering Culture by InfoQ AI Amplifies Team Strengths and Weaknesses in Software Development
Nov 14, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Jon Kern, a systems-minded software consultant, and Anita Zbieg, CEO of Network Perspective, dive into how AI can boost team strengths while exposing weaknesses. They explore the importance of fundamental collaboration practices and holistic system thinking. Highlights include the role of AI in onboarding juniors, the need for rapid feedback, and the dangers of oversized changes. The duo emphasizes that AI might widen the gap between top-performing and struggling teams, calling for a return to Agile values to drive success.
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AI Is An Amplifier Not A Cure
- Anita Zbieg: AI acts as an amplifier, speeding up strengths and weaknesses in teams.
- Teams with good fundamentals gain disproportionate advantage while weak practices get amplified negatively.
Complexity And Experience Determine AI Benefit
- Jon Kern: AI helps greatly on simple tasks or with experienced teams but is risky for complex work with inexperienced teams.
- Teams with battle scars and collaboration will benefit most and avoid costly failures.
Give Developers Whole-System Context
- Provide developers broad system context so they can orchestrate, not just code isolated parts.
- Teach people the product vision and flow so AI augments orchestration rather than replaces learning.