Dev Interrupted

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.

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.