Dev Interrupted

Chris Westerhold, Global Practice Director at ThoughtWorks, reveals how engineering teams often ship more code but deliver less business impact. He discusses the hidden waste in engineering processes and why a clear 'North Star' is essential for aligning efforts with business goals. Chris emphasizes that efficiency issues stem from people and processes, not just technology. He advocates for a systems thinking approach to foster real improvement while balancing developer freedom with standardization, ultimately unlocking a team's true potential.

Explore the transformative shift from AI coding assistants to intelligent, agentic systems. Discover why just buying tools isn't enough for productivity gains, as Dan and Ben emphasize the importance of cohesive knowledge management and modernized infrastructure. They discuss engineer sentiments towards AI and the need for a robust strategy to integrate AI into development workflows effectively. With insights from engineering leaders, the conversation highlights the future of orchestrated systems where AI agents enhance the entire software delivery lifecycle.

Andrew Hamilton, Co-founder and CTO of Layer, unveils the shift towards AI agents as consumers of products. He emphasizes the need for product designers to rethink experiences for this new user base. Discussions cover the emergence of an 'app store for LLMs' and the Model Context Protocol's role in enhancing AI interactions. Andrew shares insights on identifying MCP candidates and the significance of experimentation in the rapidly evolving landscape. Tune in to explore the transformative potential of AI in software development!

Kabir Bedi, Head of Product for Image and Video Generation at Amazon Ads, shares his vision of revolutionizing video advertising through generative AI. He reveals how Amazon's innovative video generator allows businesses, big and small, to produce engaging videos with just a click. Kabir discusses the power of customer feedback in shaping product development and the importance of a curious, collaborative engineering culture. His insights highlight the blend of technology and creativity, making video production accessible to all.

Philipp Schmid, Senior AI Developer Relations Engineer at Google DeepMind, dives into the transformative power of AI on engineering roles. He shares insights on how AI is reshaping team dynamics and fostering innovation. Discover the differences between Google's Gemini models and the open Gemma family. Philipp also reveals highlights from Google I/O, including groundbreaking text-to-video technology. His practical advice emphasizes continuous learning and adaptability, guiding engineers to thrive in an AI-driven landscape.

Dan Lines, co-founder of LinearB, joins to discuss the transformative potential of AI in software development. He reveals how intelligent automation can save up to 75 days of work in just six months. Dan emphasizes the importance of programmatic rules to safely integrate AI, detailing his company's gitStream technology that optimizes code reviews and automates low-risk merges. They also explore future AI workflows, envisioning a world where AI handles everything from design to deployment, enhancing developer control and productivity.

Hosts dive into the evolving landscape of engineering productivity amid the rise of AI. They discuss the urgency for CTOs to define meaningful AI strategies and measure true productivity impacts. The conversation emphasizes shifting from passive data use to actively improving processes and workflows. Highlights include the challenges of integrating AI tools, preserving developer focus, and aligning executive and developer perspectives on productivity. A new approach is essential for enhancing job efficiency and transforming developer experiences.

Matt Greenwood, Chief Innovation Officer at Two Sigma, shares his insights drawn from over two decades in financial technology and a rich background in classical languages. He explores how ancient texts influence modern innovation and leadership. The conversation dives into the importance of adaptability, empathy in engineering leadership, and fostering a culture of curiosity. Greenwood also discusses utilizing AI to augment creativity, the significance of flexible goal-setting, and learning from past decisions to build resilient tech and teams ready for the future.

Kelly Vaughn, Senior Engineering Manager at Zapier and a trained therapist, shares her personal battle with burnout despite her expertise in identifying it. She candidly discusses the signs of burnout she overlooked, like diminishing passion and sleep disruptions. Kelly redefines her ambitions and highlights the importance of setting non-negotiables for well-being in tech. With the rise of AI, she emphasizes the need for reflection and balance, urging listeners to know their limits and embrace pivotal changes without sacrificing mental health.

JJ Tang, Co-founder and CEO of Rootly, dives into the shift from reactive to proactive incident response strategies. He emphasizes the power of AI and the often-overlooked significance of customer empathy in modern infrastructure. JJ discusses how organizations can build trust and ensure reliability in their systems, while navigating the integration of new technologies. He shares insights on the cultural shifts necessary for fostering proactive reliability and the common pitfalls leaders face in this dynamic landscape.