Dev Interrupted The End of Specialization? How AI Shapes Modern Dev Teams | Vercel’s Lee Robinson
May 6, 2025
Lee Robinson, VP of Product at Vercel and a key voice in the webdev community, discusses the emergence of product engineers who manage features end-to-end. He delves into how AI is transforming team dynamics, making roles less specialized and more integrated. Lee emphasizes the significance of personalization in job applications and the growing trend of building in public for career growth. He also shares insights on empowering diverse team members and navigating the new landscape of AI-enabled development.
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Rise of Product Engineers
- The evolution from front-end/back-end silos to product engineers reflects software's increasing complexity and fluidity.
- Product engineers manage features end-to-end, blending front-end and back-end responsibilities for holistic delivery.
AI Democratizes Software Building
- AI empowers non-traditional developers like product managers and designers to build prototypes and apps.
- This democratizes software creation, ushering in an era of personal and "disposable" software.
Personalize Job Applications
- Avoid spam-applying to jobs; instead, send concise, personalized messages showcasing authentic work.
- Use AI to refine writing but always add your personal touch to stand out and demonstrate genuine interest.