3373: From Developer to CEO: Kirill Skrygan on Leading JetBrains into the AI Era

Aug 6, 2025

Kirill Skrygan, CEO of JetBrains and former junior developer since 2010, discusses transforming the software development landscape. He envisions a future where non-technical creators build applications using no-code tools, supported by proactive AI agents like JetBrains' Junie. Kirill challenges traditional views on software engineering, arguing that AI can evolve, rather than diminish, developers' skills. He also highlights the need for trust and precision in integrating AI into developer tools, balancing innovation with responsibility.

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ANECDOTE

From Junior Developer to CEO

Kirill Skrygan began at JetBrains as a junior developer in 2010 and advanced through roles to become CEO.
He created Rider IDE and remote development tools during the pandemic before leading the company.

INSIGHT

AI's Role in Software Development

AI lowers barriers in software creation but industrial programming demands high reliability and control.
JetBrains aims to integrate AI transparently with humans in the loop for responsible use.

INSIGHT

JetBrains' Independent Innovation

JetBrains avoids chasing hype and focuses on delivering real value in productivity and joy of development.
Being a private company for 25 years allows them to prioritize their users over external funding pressures.

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If you've ever used IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, or Rider, you've probably already felt the impact of JetBrains. But what happens when one of the world’s most trusted software development toolmakers starts asking whether developers should completely rethink their identity?

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I caught up with Kirill Skrygan, the CEO of JetBrains. Kirill’s story is something many developers will admire. He joined JetBrains as a junior developer back in 2010 and steadily worked his way through the ranks. Along the way, he helped launch new products, led remote development during the pandemic, and is now steering the company into the AI era.

This isn’t just about adding AI features to tools. Kirill is challenging long-held assumptions about what it means to be a software engineer. He believes we’re entering a new chapter where non-technical creators will build their own tools, and where proactive AI agents will help maintain and even update code automatically. It’s a bold vision, but one grounded in practical experience and responsibility.

JetBrains creates intelligent software development tools trusted by over 15 million users and 88 Fortune Global Top 100 companies.

We explored how AI is lowering the barrier to software creation, what that means for traditional developers, and why Kirill believes the shift won’t devalue their skills but rather evolve them. He shared insights into JetBrains' own AI agent, Junie, which is already being used in production environments. He also talked about Kineto, their no-code platform designed for a new generation of creators, including those who want to build apps without a computer science background.

There’s also an honest discussion around the friction points of this new wave, especially when non-engineers build tools that later need to be secured and maintained. Kirill didn’t shy away from the complexity of that challenge, but he’s optimistic that the industry can solve it.

Toward the end of the conversation, we reflected on JetBrains’ role as an independent company that doesn’t chase hype or rely on VC funding. That independence gives them the freedom to build what developers actually need, rather than what might look good on a press release.

This episode is a thoughtful look at the future of software development, leadership from inside the codebase, and the evolving relationship between humans and AI in one of tech’s most foundational professions. If you’re a developer, CTO, product manager, or simply curious about how AI is changing the craft of coding, this one’s worth your time.