Screaming in the Cloud

The Evolving Role of a Software Engineer with Forrest Brazeal

Aug 17, 2023

Forrest Brazeal, Head of Developer Media at Google Cloud, joins Corey to discuss the impact of AI on software engineers. They explore how AI helps or hurts developers, its effects on junior developers and creative roles, pitfalls of a long career as a software developer, breaking into a career in cloud, and predictions for a major shift in the job market.

37:04

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Episode guests

Forrest Brazeal

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Generative AI should not replace developers but augment their skills in automating simple programming tasks and assisting in creative outputs.

Hiring managers should look beyond resumes and create opportunities for career changers and non-traditional learners, considering their potential and transferrable skills.

Deep dives

The Impact of Generative AI and Career Growth

The episode discusses the evolving role of generative AI in the tech industry and how it impacts career growth. It explores the potential of generative AI in automating simple programming tasks and its ability to assist in creative outputs. However, it emphasizes that generative AI should not replace the need for developers but rather augment their skills. The episode encourages developers to continue to build their coding proficiency as it enhances their ability to effectively use generative AI tools. Additionally, it highlights the importance of domain expertise and the need for developers to expand their personal context window to improve results.

Introduction

2min

The Challenges of Naming Services in the Cloud Industry

2min

Advancements in Generative AI

4min

The Importance of Subject Matter Expertise and Creative Thinking in AI Applications

6min

The Impact of Generative AI on Software Engineer Job Prospects

21min

Connecting and Finding the Guest for More Information

2min

Forrest Brazeal, Head of Developer Media at Google Cloud, joins Corey on Screaming in the Cloud to discuss how AI, current job markets, and more are impacting software engineers. Forrest and Corey explore whether AI helps or hurts developers, and what impact it has on the role of a junior developer and the rest of the development team. Forrest also shares his viewpoints on how he feels AI affects people in creative roles. Corey and Forrest discuss the pitfalls of a long career as a software developer, and how people can break into a career in cloud as well as the necessary pivots you may need to make along the way. Forrest then describes why he feels workers are currently staying put where they work, and how he predicts a major shift will happen when the markets shift.

About Forrest

Forrest is a cloud educator, cartoonist, author, and Pwnie Award-winning songwriter. He currently leads the content marketing team at Google Cloud. You can buy his book, The Read Aloud Cloud, from Wiley Publishing or attend his talks at public and private events around the world.

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