Dev Interrupted

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.

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.

Russ d’Sa, Co-founder and CEO of LiveKit, dives into the fascinating world of multimodal technology. He discusses how AI is evolving to perceive the world through sound and vision, enabling real-time communication. The conversation explores the transition from text to rich data streams and the challenges engineers face in this new landscape. Russ highlights LiveKit's vital role, particularly in emergency responses like 911 calls, and the implications for AI's future as a collaborative partner in various sectors.

Sagar Batchu, co-founder and CEO of Speakeasy, delves into the intricate relationship between organizational structure and API design. He emphasizes the importance of treating internal APIs as first-class products and discusses how Conway's Law impacts API success. The conversation shifts to the rise of Agent Experience (AX) in an AI-driven landscape, underlining the need for rigorous standards and documentation. Batchu also introduces the Model Context Protocol (MCP), showcasing how prioritizing developer productivity today can pave the way for future AI advancements.

Tanya Janca, a cybersecurity expert with 28 years of experience and author of "Alice and Bob Learn Secure Coding," sheds light on the pitfalls of treating security as an afterthought. She emphasizes the need to redefine security as an ongoing practice rather than a final gate. Tanya shares insights on enhancing developer empowerment through clear guidelines and internal knowledge libraries. The conversation also touches on the evolving relationship between AI integration and security, advocating for continuous learning and critical evaluation of AI-generated code.

Brooke Hartley Moy, the CEO and co-founder of Infactory, shares her insights from her background at Google and Samsung on building trust in AI systems. She tackles common misconceptions businesses have about AI and highlights the importance of high-quality data. The conversation delves into the 'black box' problem, domain expertise in various fields, and the limitations of large language models. Brooke argues for a balanced approach to AI that combines technical knowledge with ethical considerations, ensuring reliable outcomes in critical cases.

Adnan Ijaz, Director of Product Management for Next Gen Developer Experience at AWS, leads the charge on Amazon Q, a groundbreaking tool in AI development. He dives into how autonomous AI can transform workflows, urging developers to shift from task-centric coding to strategic architecture. The conversation highlights the importance of quantifying AI's impact on productivity, advocating for responsible implementation and human oversight. Ijaz also shares insights on mentoring AI to enhance software development, ensuring innovation without losing credibility.