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Craftsmanship, apprenticeship, and getting the most from AI with Scott Hanselman (Microsoft)

Dec 18, 2025
Guest
Scott Hanselman
Scott Hanselman, Vice President of Developer Community at Microsoft, dives into the pressing issues in software development today. He discusses how speed-driven incentives often lead to broken software and the diminishing role of craftsmanship. Scott highlights the vital need for better apprenticeship models and mentorship, especially with the rise of AI. He advocates for a preceptor approach to internships, emphasizing long-term investment in developer communities and practical tips to boost team connection and productivity.
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INSIGHT

Speed Over Craft Explains Broken Software

  • Scott Hanselman argues much software is poor because teams chase new features and speed over reliability.
  • He praises small teams that perfect one thing and large teams that invest long-term craft like Visual Studio Code.
ADVICE

Reduce Fear With Robust Engineering Systems

  • Reduce fear by building robust systems: CI/CD, automated tests, and checks that let engineers deploy confidently.
  • When fear drops, teams refactor and improve code rather than avoid touching it.
INSIGHT

AI Mirrors Our Shared Mistakes

  • AI reflects and amplifies common developer misunderstandings in its outputs because it trains on our imperfect corpus.
  • Expect AI to propose superficial fixes (like sleeps) that mimic typical human shortcuts.
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