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Today on Elixir Wizards, hosts Sundi Myint and Charles Suggs catch up with Sean Moriarity, co-creator of the Nx project and author of Machine Learning in Elixir. Sean reflects on his transition from the military to a civilian job building large language models (LLMs) for software. He explains how the Elixir ML landscape has evolved since the rise of ChatGPT, shifting from building native model implementations toward orchestrating best-in-class tools. We discuss the pragmatics of adding ML to Elixir apps: when to start with out-of-the-box LLMs vs. rolling your own, how to hook into Python-based libraries, and how to tap Elixir's distributed computing for scalable workloads. Sean closes with advice for developers embarking on Elixir ML projects, from picking motivating use cases to experimenting with domain-specific languages for AI-driven workflows. Key topics discussed in this episode: The evolution of the Nx (Numerical Elixir) project and what's new with ML in Elixir Treating Elixir as an orchestration layer for external ML tools When to rely on off-the-shelf LLMs vs. custom models Strategies for integrating Elixir with Python-based ML libraries Leveraging Elixir's distributed computing strengths for ML tasks Starting ML projects with existing data considerations Synthetic data generation using large language models Exploring DSLs to streamline AI-powered business logic Balancing custom frameworks and service-based approaches in production Pragmatic advice for getting started with ML in Elixir Links mentioned: https://hexdocs.pm/nx/intro-to-nx.html https://pragprog.com/titles/smelixir/machine-learning-in-elixir/ https://magic.dev/ https://smartlogic.io/podcast/elixir-wizards/s10-e10-sean-moriarity-machine-learning-elixir/ Pragmatic Bookshelf: https://pragprog.com/ ONNX Runtime Bindings for Elixir: https://github.com/elixir-nx/ortex https://github.com/elixir-nx/bumblebee Silero Voice Activity Detector: https://github.com/snakers4/silero-vad Paulo Valente Graph Splitting Article: https://dockyard.com/blog/2024/11/06/2024/nx-sharding-update-part-1 Thomas Millar's Twitter https://x.com/thmsmlr https://github.com/thmsmlr/instructorex https://phoenix.new/ https://tidewave.ai/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BERT(language_model) Talk: PyTorch: Fast Differentiable Dynamic Graphs in Python (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am895oU6mmY) by Soumith Chintala https://hexdocs.pm/axon/Axon.html https://hexdocs.pm/exla/EXLA.html VLM (Vision Language Models Explained): https://huggingface.co/blog/vlms https://github.com/ggml-org/llama.cpp Vector Search in Elixir: https://github.com/elixir-nx/hnswlib https://www.amplified.ai/ Llama 4 https://mistral.ai/ Mistral Open-Source LLMs: https://mistral.ai/ https://github.com/openai/whisper Elixir Wizards Season 5: Adopting Elixir https://smartlogic.io/podcast/elixir-wizards/season-five https://docs.ray.io/en/latest/ray-overview/index.html https://hexdocs.pm/flame/FLAME.html https://firecracker-microvm.github.io/ https://fly.io/ https://kubernetes.io/ WireGuard VPNs https://www.wireguard.com/ https://hexdocs.pm/phoenixpubsub/Phoenix.PubSub.html https://www.manning.com/books/deep-learning-with-python Code BEAM 2025 Keynote: Designing LLM Native Systems - Sean Moriarity Ash Framework https://ash-hq.org/ Sean's Twitter: https://x.com/seanmoriarity Sean's Personal Blog: https://seanmoriarity.com/ Erlang Ecosystems Foundation Slack: https://erlef.org/slack-invite/erlef Elixir Forum https://elixirforum.com/ Sean's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-m-ba231a149/ Special Guest: Sean Moriarity.
In this episode Patrick and Shelli welcome Michael Pozzi, a tech leader with an expansive career across engineering, computer science, and finance. Currently, Michael is Senior Vice President of Technology Infrastructure at Ryan Specialty. We discuss Michael's leadership style, a philosophy characterized by humility and a team-centric approach. He shares his experiences of leading through uncertain times at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and highlights the ways he builds teams to foster empathy and collaboration. We chat about the evolving landscape of technology infrastructure, data volume, AI automation, and the dynamics of remote teams. Michael advocates for recognizing and nurturing talent within an organization, fostering an environment where employees can thrive and grow in alignment with their org's mission.(00:00) Welcome Michael Pozzi(00:25) Michael's Career Journey(02:26) Role at Ryan Specialty(03:07) Early Career and Pivot to Consulting(05:01) Joining the Chicago Mercantile Exchange(08:50) Transition to Infrastructure and Operations(12:51) Leadership and Team Dynamics(21:47) Recognizing the Need for Fresh Perspectives(24:05) The Importance of Empathy in Team Dynamics(29:06) Career Growth and Organizational Support(34:48) Encouraging Internal Mobility and Learning(40:10) Final ThoughtsMichael Pozzi is Senior Vice President of Technology Infrastructure at Ryan Specialty. Previously, over nearly 20 years, he held a series of director level positions at the CME Group, like Managing Director of Infrastructure & Operations, Executive Director of Systems Engineering, and Executive Director of Software Engineering. Before that he worked at Hewitt Associates and Accenture. He earned a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Duke and Masters in Computer Science from DePaul.If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Innovation and the Digital Enterprise in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show.Podcast episode production by Dante32.
In this Road to Macstock Conference and Expo conversation we welcome longtime speaker Kirschen Seah to discuss her upcoming session, Passkeys Demystified. Kirschen explains the promise of passkeys as a more secure, user-friendly alternative to passwords, and why adoption has been slower than expected. She shares insights into how passkeys work using public key cryptography, addresses common concerns about biometric data, and outlines how password managers like Apple Keychain and 1Password integrate with the system. With real-world scenarios and practical examples, Kirschen aims to help attendees confidently adopt passkeys and understand the evolving standards behind them. Show Notes: Chapters: 00:08 Introduction to MacVoices 00:45 Kirschen Seah Joins the Conversation 02:20 Passkeys Demystified 08:44 Managing Multiple Accounts 10:32 The Role of Password Managers 13:15 Preparing for the Session 15:55 Macstock Conference Details 17:51 The Value of Curiosity at Macstock Links: Macstock Conference and Expo Save $50 with the Kirschen's discount code: freerangecoder Save $50 with Chuck's discount code: macvoices50 Guests: Kirschen Seah's background is Computer Sciences with interests in Software Engineering, User Experience, and Mac OS X / iPhone OS development. She started programming with BASIC in 1978 on an Apple ][ and have over 30 years of experience in the field. Kirschen worked on OPENSTEP (precursor to Mac OS X Cocoa) graphical prototyping applications initially when she joined Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace) in 1999, and was a Senior Principal Systems Engineer in the Flight Management Systems department focussed on the user interface for pilot interaction. Prior to joining Rockwell Collins Kirschen worked at Acuity (formerly ichat) developing interactive user interfaces for live chat customer service agents. Now retired, there's now more time to share technical insights on her blog, develop useful scripts (Python, shell), and write Shortcuts. Kirschen is really motivated to share her experience to help fellow software practitioners develop better skills – be that in good design, implementation, or computer science fundamentals. As much as she can, Kirschen tries to share the delight in discovering how iOS and macOS applications for productivity and creativity have helped her do better in her personal and (former) work life. Connect with her on her web site, FreeRangeCoder Support: Become a MacVoices Patron on Patreon http://patreon.com/macvoices Enjoy this episode? Make a one-time donation with PayPal Connect: Web: http://macvoices.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/chuckjoiner http://www.twitter.com/macvoices Mastodon: https://mastodon.cloud/@chuckjoiner Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chuck.joiner MacVoices Page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/macvoices/ MacVoices Group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/macvoice LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckjoiner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chuckjoiner/ Subscribe: Audio in iTunes Video in iTunes Subscribe manually via iTunes or any podcatcher: Audio: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesrss Video: http://www.macvoices.com/rss/macvoicesvideorss
Neste episódio conjunto do Fronteiras da Engenharia de Software e do Elixir em Foco, Adolfo Neto e Zoey Pessanha conversaram com Lucas Vegi sobre code smells e refatorações na linguagem de programação Elixir. Lucas é professor na Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), onde coordena o LABD2M, e doutor em Ciência da Computação pela UFMG. Sua tese foi reconhecida como uma das melhores do país pela SBC, e resultou em artigos publicados em conferências e revistas de destaque, como a Empirical Software Engineering e a ICSME.Durante a entrevista, Lucas explicou o processo de construção de um catálogo de code smells específicos de Elixir — trabalho que teve como ponto de partida uma revisão da literatura cinzenta e foi influenciado por conversas com membros da comunidade, como José Valim. Ele também falou sobre seu catálogo de refatorações para Elixir, desenvolvido em parceria com Marco Túlio Valente, e discutido anteriormente em episódio do Elixir em Foco com Gabriel Pereira.Além da pesquisa, o episódio abordou a importância da colaboração entre academia e comunidade, os desafios e possibilidades de realizar um doutorado no Brasil, e o papel que os podcasts têm desempenhado em sua trajetória acadêmica.Lucas também falou sobre o 1º Workshop on Software Engineering for Functional Programming (SE4FP 2025), que acontecerá no CBSoft em setembro, e fez um convite para submissões. Por fim, compartilhou sua visão sobre o futuro da engenharia de software e deixou um convite aberto para colaborações em pesquisa e orientação de novos estudantes de pós-graduação.Lucas Vegi: https://www.dpi.ufv.br/prof-lucas-francisco-da-matta-vegi/ArtigosEntendendo refatorações na linguagem funcional Elixir - Understanding refactorings in Elixir functional language (Empirical Software Engineering 2025):https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10664-025-10652-yRumo a um Catálogo de Refatorações para Elixir - Towards a Catalog of Refactorings for Elixir (ICSME 2023):https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=10336282Compreendendo Maus Cheiros de Código na Linguagem Funcional Elixir - Understanding Code Smells in Elixir Functional Language (EMSE):https://homepages.dcc.ufmg.br/~mtov/pub/2023-emse-code-smells-elixir.pdfMaus Cheiros de Código em Elixir: Resultados Iniciais de uma Revisão da Literatura Cinzenta - Code Smells in Elixir: Early Results from a Grey Literature Review (ICPC):https://homepages.dcc.ufmg.br/~mtov/pub/2022-icpc-era.pdfTeseCode smells and refactorings for Elixir: https://repositorio.ufmg.br/handle/1843/80651 Eventos e DivulgaçãoCBSOFT 2025:https://adolfont.github.io/events/cbsoft2025SE4FP 2025:https://se4fp.github.io/2025/ICSE 2026:https://adolfont.github.io/events/icse2026Empirical Software Engineering (Springer Journal):https://link.springer.com/journal/10664CALL FOR PAPERS: Special Issue on Advancing Software Engineering with Large Language Models:https://link.springer.com/journal/10664/updates/27735998Code Smells e Refatorações específicos para Elixir, Lucas Vegi (UFV e UFMG):https://youtu.be/klubcNmv4qI?si=Odb-uKgCxTY6TuPxElixir Code Smells com Lucas Vegi (UFV) e Marco Tulio Valente (UFMG):https://youtu.be/dp8zQUadDgQ?si=hwEYuh7BAkDbp5pFLanguage Processing in Erlang - Simon Thompson:https://youtu.be/i9SUR1v1bhY?si=z4Rz290hoI9nzAeYMarcelo Maia no Fronteiras https://youtu.be/H74laSFH54E?si=SCwN-Lfj-Cq0yR37 e https://open.spotify.com/episode/29xmVuayXe3i46JyRQKiH4 Marco Tulio Valente https://open.spotify.com/episode/0B8uqfrmxygPePafrXIiiD Gabriel Pereira https://open.spotify.com/episode/60tcpvx6LZW3hOIAojGLP4 José Valim https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CSQLDnl5LRPT0UE2cvZIF https://fronteirases.github.io/ https://www.elixiremfoco.com/
Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, and Alan Dye, Apple's vice president of Human Interface Design, are two of the most influential creative and technological leaders shaping how we experience the digital world. Together, they represent the rare combination of engineering and design at its highest level, shaping how Apple products feel and behave. They join live at the Apple Headquarters to discuss the much anticipated launch of iOS 26.Want to help shape TED's shows going forward? Fill out our survey! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Rachel Owen is joined by Igor Shevchenko, Engineering Manager at Swappie; Sampo Pilli-Sihvola, Director of Software Engineering at Peikko Group; Timo Rantalainen, Head of Enterprise Architecture at Capgemini; and Mathias Rønnlund, Chief Architect at Mirka. Together, they unpack the real-world challenges of leading and scaling high-performance tech teams. From team structures and software delivery to engineering culture and architecture, this episode offers actionable insights for leaders aiming to drive innovation and collaboration in today's fast-paced tech environments.
Mark Ericksen, creator of the Elixir LangChain framework, joins the Elixir Wizards to talk about LLM integration in Elixir apps. He explains how LangChain abstracts away the quirks of different AI providers (OpenAI, Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini) so you can work with any LLM in one more consistent API. We dig into core features like conversation chaining, tool execution, automatic retries, and production-grade fallback strategies. Mark shares his experiences maintaining LangChain in a fast-moving AI world: how it shields developers from API drift, manages token budgets, and handles rate limits and outages. He also reveals testing tactics for non-deterministic AI outputs, configuration tips for custom authentication, and the highlights of the new v0.4 release, including “content parts” support for thinking-style models. Key topics discussed in this episode: • Abstracting LLM APIs behind a unified Elixir interface • Building and managing conversation chains across multiple models • Exposing application functionality to LLMs through tool integrations • Automatic retries and fallback chains for production resilience • Supporting a variety of LLM providers • Tracking and optimizing token usage for cost control • Configuring API keys, authentication, and provider-specific settings • Handling rate limits and service outages with degradation • Processing multimodal inputs (text, images) in Langchain workflows • Extracting structured data from unstructured LLM responses • Leveraging “content parts” in v0.4 for advanced thinking-model support • Debugging LLM interactions using verbose logging and telemetry • Kickstarting experiments in LiveBook notebooks and demos • Comparing Elixir LangChain to the original Python implementation • Crafting human-in-the-loop workflows for interactive AI features • Integrating Langchain with the Ash framework for chat-driven interfaces • Contributing to open-source LLM adapters and staying ahead of API changes • Building fallback chains (e.g., OpenAI → Azure) for seamless continuity • Embedding business logic decisions directly into AI-powered tools • Summarization techniques for token efficiency in ongoing conversations • Batch processing tactics to leverage lower-cost API rate tiers • Real-world lessons on maintaining uptime amid LLM service disruptions Links mentioned: https://rubyonrails.org/ https://fly.io/ https://zionnationalpark.com/ https://podcast.thinkingelixir.com/ https://github.com/brainlid/langchain https://openai.com/ https://claude.ai/ https://gemini.google.com/ https://www.anthropic.com/ Vertex AI Studio https://cloud.google.com/generative-ai-studio https://www.perplexity.ai/ https://azure.microsoft.com/ https://hexdocs.pm/ecto/Ecto.html https://oban.pro/ Chris McCord's ElixirConf EU 2025 Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojL_VHc4gLk Getting started: https://hexdocs.pm/langchain/gettingstarted.html https://ash-hq.org/ https://hex.pm/packages/langchain https://hexdocs.pm/igniter/readme.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM9iQlQSFg @brainlid on Twitter and BlueSky Special Guest: Mark Ericksen.
In this episode I chat with coach Nick Klastava about why it's important to coach runners holistically. Being a coach to athletes of all levels is so much more than just giving them a training plan. Nick started running back in 1996 and has been competitively running for 24 years now with a brief break in his 20's. His spark for running came back in High School, being a part of a team and finding a sport that brought out the best in himself. He ran competitively in college for Monmouth University in New Jersey after college he took 8 years off from running and thought he was done forever. After moving to Maryland in 2010, Nick found his spark again with running and found a new outlook on running with less pressure and less emphasis on the numbers and broke all of his college PR's by age 38. Nick lives just outside Baltimore, Maryland with his wife and two daughters (Chloe and Amelia). Nick has a degree in Software Engineering and currently works as a Head Coach of 1:1 Run Coaching at Running Explained and also is the Co-host of the Between Two Coaches Podcast. His favorite thing about coaching is to unconditionally support runners and their journeys.Find Nick on IG: @nklastavaThank you BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode! To save 10% on your first month of therapy, visit: https://www.betterhelp.com/holleyfueledTo join my Strong Runner Academy Group Coaching Program visit here: https://www.holleyfuelednutrition.com/groupcoaching
In this episode, Abi Noda speaks with DX CTO Laura Tacho about the real obstacles holding back AI adoption in engineering teams. They discuss why technical challenges are rarely the blocker, and how fear, unclear expectations, and inflated hype can stall progress. Laura shares practical strategies for driving adoption, including how to model usage from the top down, build momentum through champions and training programs, and measure impact effectively—starting with establishing a baseline before introducing AI tools.Where to find Laura Tacho: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauratacho/• Website: https://lauratacho.com/Where to find Abi Noda:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abinoda In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Intro: The full spectrum of AI adoption(03:02) The hype of AI(04:46) Some statistics around the current state of AI coding tool adoption(07:27) The real barriers to AI adoption(09:31) How to drive AI adoption (15:47) Measuring AI's impact (19:49) More strategies for driving AI adoption (23:54) The Methods companies are actually using to drive impact(29:15) Questions from the chat (39:48) Wrapping upReferenced:DX Core 4 Productivity FrameworkThe AI adoption playbook: Lessons from Microsoft's internal strategyMicrosoft CEO says up to 30% of the company's code was written by AI | TechCrunchViral Shopify CEO Manifesto Says AI Now Mandatory For All EmployeesDORA | Impact of Generative AI in Software DevelopmentGuide to AI assisted engineeringJustin Reock - DX | LinkedIn
Investor Fuel Real Estate Investing Mastermind - Audio Version
In this conversation, Dylan Silver interviews Nick Sehy, a real estate investor who transitioned from a software engineering career at Microsoft to investing in the Detroit real estate market. Nick shares his journey, including his initial interest in real estate, the strategies he employed such as the BRRRR method, and his pivot to fix and flip properties. He discusses the challenges and lessons learned from his first fix and flip, the reasons for choosing Detroit as his investment market, and offers advice for aspiring real estate investors. The conversation concludes with insights into future trends in real estate investment. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind: Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply Investor Machine Marketing Partnership: Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com Coaching with Mike Hambright: Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform! Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/ New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club —--------------------
Connor Rigby joins the Elixir Wizards to talk about Blue Heron BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) support for Elixir apps. Blue Heron implements the BLE specs in pure Elixir, leveraging binary pattern matching and concurrent message processing to handle Bluetooth protocols. Unlike most solutions that require C ports or NIFs, Blue Heron runs entirely in user space, so it works seamlessly in both Nerves-based embedded projects and (eventually) desktop Elixir applications. We discuss how Nerves development differs from building Phoenix apps. Connor shares challenges he's experienced with hardware compatibility, where some chips only partially implement the spec, and he discusses the surprisingly deep (but sometimes incomplete) world of BLE device profiles. His tip for anyone entering the BLE space: read the official spec instead of trusting secondhand blog posts. Tools like Nerves LiveBook give you hands-on examples, so you can get a BLE prototype running on a Raspberry Pi and your phone in no time. Key topics discussed in this episode: Blue Heron origins and “bird” naming convention BLE vs. Bluetooth Classic: core differences Pure Elixir implementation—no C dependencies Binary pattern matching for packet parsing Hardware transport options: UART, SPI, USB, SDIO GenServer patterns in Nerves vs. Phoenix Linux requirement and power-consumption trade-offs GATT (Generic Attribute Table) implementation patterns SQLite integration for Nerves apps Hardware chip quirks and spec compliance Manufacturer-specific commands and workarounds BLE device profiles and spec gaps Security Management Profile (SMP) for encryption Device connection and pairing workflows Web vs. embedded development differences Where to get started: hardware recommendations and docs Links mentioned: https://github.com/ConnorRigby/ https://github.com/blue-heron/ https://nerves-project.org/ BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BluetoothLowEnergy https://developer.apple.com/ibeacon/ https://learnyousomeerlang.com/building-otp-applications Linux https://www.linux.org/ HCI (Host Controller Interface) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostcontrollerinterface Circuits UART Library https://hexdocs.pm/circuitsuart/readme.html SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) https://github.com/elixir-circuits/circuitsspi SDIO (Secure Digital Input Output https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SDIO Raspberry Pi https://www.raspberrypi.com/ Coral SoM Dev Board https://coral.ai/products/dev-board/ BeagleBone Single-Board Linux Computer https://www.beagleboard.org/boards/beaglebone-black https://www.bluetooth.com/bluetooth-resources/intro-to-bluetooth-gap-gatt/ Genservers https://hexdocs.pm/elixir/1.12/GenServer.html https://hexdocs.pm/ecto/Ecto.html https://github.com/elixir-sqlite/ectosqlite3 https://github.com/nerves-livebook/nerveslivebook Special Guest: Connor Rigby.
What powers the apps we use, the websites we browse, and the systems that run our world? Software Engineering.Join us as we unpack what software engineering really is.Beyond just coding, we'll explore the skills, career paths, and impact of this fast-growing field.Whether you're tech-curious or career-focused, this conversation is for you.Note: All rights to referenced materials and clips belong to their respective owners. Used here for commentary/educational purposes under fair use.
In this inspiring episode of Modern Figures Podcast, hosts Kyla McMullen and Jeremy Waisome sit down with Dr. Cheryl D. Seals, the Charles E. Barkley Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Auburn University. From her early days in Louisiana to becoming a powerhouse in user experience, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence, Dr. Seals shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path in tech.
Every year, millions of students try coding for the first time through Hour of Code. But most people don't know that the technology powering those experiences is ran by someone who didn't really have a plan to become a CTO. In the fourth episode of this season of The Work Item, I am talking with Simon Guest, CTO at Code.org. Simon walks me through how he actually became a CTO (not the LinkedIn version we commonly see), and what skills helped him succeed despite the fact that there was no pre-charted path he could follow. You'll be surprised to learn just how much serendipity and having the skills in the right place at the right time play a role in strapping one's career to a rocketship. We also talk about the future of coding, whether AI is truly going to make engineers obsolete, and what we can do to build a good career moat that sets us up for long-term success. And of course, if you've ever wondered what it takes to move into technology leadership, this conversation will give you a very realistic picture of what that path looks like.
This interview was recorded for the GOTO Book Club.http://gotopia.tech/bookclubRead the full transcription of the interview hereJacqui Read - Software Architect, Speaker & Author of "Communication Patterns"Gregor Hohpe - Author of "Platform Strategy", "The Software Architect Elevator", et al.RESOURCESJacquihttps://bsky.app/profile/tekiegirl.bsky.socialhttps://jacquiread.comhttps://fosstodon.org/@tekiegirlhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinereadhttps://github.com/tekiegirlGregorhttps://twitter.com/ghohpehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ghohpehttps://architectelevator.comLinkshttps://acedmodel.comDESCRIPTIONJacqui Read and Gregor Hohpe discuss her book "Communication Patterns", which aims to bridge the gap in effective communication for software professionals. Jacqui highlights the importance of core communication skills, covering topics like visuals, writing, knowledge management, and remote collaboration.The book offers practical patterns for improving diagrams, addressing multimodal communication issues, and ensuring accessibility, particularly for neurodiverse individuals. Jacqui also introduces her upcoming ACED Model, a strategic framework to align software development with business needs while remaining adaptable.RECOMMENDED BOOKSJacqui Read • Communication PatternsGregor Hohpe • Platform StrategyGregor Hohpe • The Software Architect ElevatorGregor Hohpe • Cloud StrategyGregor Hohpe • Enterprise Integration Patterns, Vol 2Gregor Hohpe & Bobby Woolf • Enterprise Integration PatternsErich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John Vlissides • Design PatternsNeal Ford, Matthew McCullough & Nathaniel Schutta • Presentation PatternsMartin Fowler • UML DistilledBlueskyTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookCHANNEL MEMBERSHIP BONUSJoin this channel to get early access to videos & other perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_tLP3AiwYKwdUHpltJPuA/joinLooking for a unique learning experience?Attend the next GOTO conference near you! Get your ticket: gotopia.techSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL - new videos posted daily!
Host Luke Vickers is joined by Juuso Viljanen, Head of Offering at Knowit; Tuomas Melin, Co-Founder & Data Architect at Recordly; Jussi Hacklin, Chief of Software Engineering at Elisa; and Ilja Ganulevics, Head of Platforms Integration Engineering at Nosto. This episode dives into how successful Nordic companies are scaling their engineering and product teams effectively. The conversation covers leadership strategies, organizational design, and technical frameworks that help teams maintain agility, innovation, and performance as they grow.
In the Season 14 premiere, hosts Dan Ivovich and Sundi Myint chat with Isaac Yonemoto, creator of the Zigler library, to explore how Zigler brings Zig's performance and safety to Elixir through Native Implemented Functions (NIFs). Isaac walks through the core design of Zigler and how it auto-generates the Elixir-to-Zig bridge, enforces type safety, and exposes multiple execution modes (normal, dirty, threaded). The conversation covers real-world applications, from SIMD-powered token selection for LLM hardware acceleration to OTP-style fault tolerance in low-level code. Isaac shares his own journey: stepping back from professional software work to launch a biotech startup focused on reducing drug manufacturing costs while continuing to maintain Zigler and even leveraging Elixir for bioinformatics pipelines. Topics discussed in this episode: What is the Zigler library and what does it do? What does it mean to run a "dirty NIF"? Async mode is temporarily removed from Zig (therefore, yielding NIFs is temporarily deprecated in Zigler) Zigler's three execution modes (normal, dirty, and threaded) and how you switch modes with a single config change Isaac's journey from professional software work to launching a biotech startup How Isaac leverages Elixir in bioinformatics pipelines at his startup LLM hardware acceleration using Zigler NIFs and SIMD-powered token picking Fault-tolerant load balancing of NIF workloads via OTP principles Transparent handling and recovery from hardware failures through monitoring Potential future memory-safety features in Zig and their implications The Elixir-based borrow-checker prototype: purpose and design Unit-checking for scientific computations to enforce correctness New OS support in Zigler 0.14: macOS, Windows, and FreeBSD Inline Zig code authoring directly within Elixir modules Isaac's commitment to maintain Zigler through its 1.0 release (...and beyond?) Links mentioned: https://github.com/E-xyza/zigler https://github.com/ziglang/zig https://vidalalabs.com/ Zig Programming Language: https://ziglang.org/ https://obsidian.md/ https://hexdocs.pm/elixir/macros.html https://erlang.org/documentation/doc-4.7.3/doc/extensions/macros.html A Deep Dive Into the Elixir AST: https://dorgan.ar/posts/2021/04/theelixirast/ https://www.erlang.org/doc/system/nif.html https://nodejs.org/en Llama Open-Source LLM: https://www.llama.com/ Mixtral Open-Source LLM: https://mistral.ai/news/mixtral-of-experts https://Fly.io SIMD: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singleinstruction,multiple_data https://opentrons.com/ CI/CD: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CI/CD https://hexdocs.pm/zigler/Zig.html http://www.x.com/DNAutics https://bsky.app/profile/dnautics.bsky.social
In this episode of the Earley AI Podcast, host Seth Earley sits down with Yang Li, a leading figure in AI and software innovation. Yang is the Chief Operating Officer of Cosine, an advanced AI development firm, with deep experience driving startups, scaling organizations, and pioneering advancements in engineering and software development. Yang's work focuses on leveraging AI to empower the next generation of developers, especially in navigating the increasingly complex landscape of modern and legacy codebases.Yang and Seth dive into how AI is reshaping the role of software engineers, the evolving challenges of handling massive backlogs and legacy systems, and what creativity and efficiency really look like in an age of AI-powered software development.Key Takeaways:AI's Impact on Software Engineering: AI is shifting the developer's role from hands-on coding to more creative, iterative, and strategic work.Tackling Legacy Code: Cosine is pioneering new ways for AI to handle outdated and complex codebases (like COBOL and Fortran) that most engineers—and AI models—struggle with.Augmenting, Not Replacing, Engineers: AI tools like Cosine's Genie reduce ramp-up time for engineers, help address daunting backlogs, and act as creative partners rather than outright replacements.The Challenge of Benchmarks: Yang explains why public coding benchmarks can be misleading when bringing products to real-world enterprise environments, especially with diverse codebases.The Emergence of ‘Vibe Coding': Idea-to-prototype time is shrinking, allowing non-technical team members to quickly bring their ideas to life using AI assistants.Risks & Limits: Over-reliance on AI, standardization versus differentiation, and the need for new evaluation criteria in engineering organizations.Future Skills: The importance of risk-taking, adaptability, and prompt engineering as software development evolves, plus insights into how organizations are rethinking career ladders and promotions in an AI-powered world.Insightful Quote from Yang Li:"Previously you had to use words and language to describe your idea, you can now show people your idea... The time between you having thought of an idea to actually be able to show people that idea has now reduced almost to zero because of vibe coding."Tune in to discover what's next for software engineering in the age of AI, and how to stay ahead in this rapidly changing landscape.Thanks to our sponsors: VKTR Earley Information Science AI Powered Enterprise Book
Thomas Dohmke, CEO of GitHub, joins Azeem to explore how AI is fundamentally transforming software development. In this episode you'll hear: (01:50) What's left for developers in the age of AI? (04:54) How GitHub Copilot unlocks flow state (07:09) Three big shifts in how engineers work today (10:47) Is software development art or assembly line? (15:26) Why developers are climbing the abstraction ladder (19:35) Have we already lost control of the code? (23:15) What it's actually like to work with AI coding agents (39:35) Welcome to the age of ultra-personalized software(45:37) Building the next-generation web Thomas's links:GitHub: https://github.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashtom/Twitter/X: https://x.com/ashtomAzeem's links:Substack: https://www.exponentialview.co/Website: https://www.azeemazhar.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azharTwitter/X: https://x.com/azeemOur new show This was originally recorded for "Friday with Azeem Azhar", a new show that takes place every Friday at 9am PT and 12pm ET. You can tune in through Exponential View on Substack. Produced by supermix.io and EPIIPLUS1 Ltd
We're talking about either the terrifying or totally mundane new world of "vibe coding" - using AI to generate code without deep technical expertise. Joining Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Business Agility Coach Om Patel for this podcast, we're happy to welcome back to the podcast Lenar Mukhamadiev, CEO of iDelsoft (https://idelsoft.com)!Listen as we discuss how this trend is changing product development, software engineering careers, and business innovation. Stick around while we argue over resistance, how vibe coding enables faster market testing and many more points, including:Accelerating time-to-market for new ideasEvolving role of professional developersUnderstanding business problems is more valuable than codingEmergence of "product engineers," or notA future where everyone is a software creator#AIinTech #ProductDevelopment #FutureOfWork= = = = = = = = = = = =YouTubeSubscribe on YouTubeAppleSpotify= = = = = = = = = = = =Toronto Is My Beat (Music Sample)By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)
BONUS: Tom Gilb on Building True Engineering Culture and Delivering Value Through Evolutionary Methods In this BONUS episode, we dive deep into the world of true engineering discipline with Tom Gilb, a pioneer who was writing about Agile principles before Agile was even named. We explore his latest book "Success - Super Secrets & Strategies for Efficient Value Delivery in Projects and Programs, and Plans" and uncover the fundamental flaws in how organizations approach project delivery and stakeholder management. The Genesis of Success-Focused Engineering "People were failing at project deliveries - even when using Agile. I saw there was very little about setting clear goals and reaching them, it had nothing to do with being successful." Tom's motivation for writing his latest book stems from a critical observation: despite the widespread adoption of Agile methodologies, project failure rates remain unacceptably high. The core issue isn't methodology but rather the fundamental lack of clarity around what success actually means. Tom emphasizes that true success is about achieving the improvements you want at a price you can afford, yet most organizations fail to define this clearly from the outset. In this segment, we refer to the book How Big Things Get Done by Bent Flyvbjerg who published statistics on the poor performance of projects in general. Beyond OKRs: The Power of Quantified Multi-Dimensional Objectives "First you need to have a definition of what it means to succeed. And that needs to be multi-dimensional. And you need to clarify what they are." While many organizations believe they're already quantifying objectives through frameworks like OKRs, Tom reveals significant weaknesses in these approaches. True value isn't just profit—it encompasses multiple dimensions including security, usability, and other stakeholder-specific benefits. The key insight is learning to quantify what needs to be achieved across all critical dimensions, as you simply cannot design for high-quality attributes like security without first quantifying and designing for them explicitly. In this segment, we talk about Tom's paper on OKR's titled "OKR Objectives and Key Results: what's wrong and how to fix it". The Missing Engineering Discipline "Why is the failure rate of our projects so high?" Tom identifies a paradoxical problem: engineering organizations often lack true engineering discipline. This fundamental gap explains why project success rates remain low despite technological advances. Real engineering requires systematic approaches to design, stakeholder analysis, and incremental value delivery—disciplines that are often overlooked in favor of rushed implementations. Stakeholder Analysis: Beyond User Stories "Stakeholders have a requirement - even if we don't know it. They might be people, but also law, contract, policies, etc. They all have requirements for us." Traditional user-centered methods like user stories can lead to failure when critical stakeholders are overlooked. Tom advocates for comprehensive stakeholder analysis as the foundation of engineering discipline. Stakeholders aren't just people—they include laws, contracts, policies, and other constraints that have requirements for your system. The practical tip here is to use AI tools to help identify and list these stakeholders, then quantify their specific requirements using structured approaches like Planguage. The Gilb Cycle: True Incremental Value Delivery "Get things done every week, next week, until it's all done. We need to decompose any possible design into enough increments so that each increment delivers some value." What distinguishes Tom's evolutionary approach from popular Agile frameworks is the focus on choosing the most efficient design and then systematically improving existing systems through measured increments. Each increment must deliver tangible value, and the decomposition process should be aided by AI tools to ensure optimal value delivery. This isn't just about iteration—it's about strategic improvement with measurable outcomes. Building Engineering Culture: A Two-Leader Approach "There are two leaders: the tech leaders and the management leaders. For management leaders: demand a value stream of results starting next week. To the tech leaders: learn the engineering process." Creating a true engineering culture requires coordinated effort from both management and technical leadership. Management leaders should demand immediate value streams with weekly results, while technical leaders must master fundamental engineering processes including stakeholder analysis and requirement quantification. This dual approach ensures both accountability and capability development within the organization. Further Resources During this episode we refer to several of Tom's books and papers. You can see this list below Software Metrics by Tom Gilb Principles of software engineering management - Also available in PDF Evo book About Tom Gilb Tom Gilb, born in the US, lived in London, and then moved to Norway in 1958. An independent teacher, consultant, and writer, he has worked in software engineering, corporate top management, and large-scale systems engineering. As the saying goes, Tom was writing about Agile, before Agile was named. In 1976, Tom introduced the term "evolutionary" in his book Software Metrics, advocating for development in small, measurable steps. Today, we talk about Evo, the name that Tom used to describe his approach. You can link with Tom Gilb on LinkedIn.
A vacationcast where Andy ruminates on AI coding assistants. He draws on an article re wrote in 2007 on autonomic computing. Emphasis is placed on the essential roles and responsibilities of software engineers, differentiating them from AI systems. Andy shares personal experiences and observations of using tools like AI coding assistants, highlighting potential pitfalls and benefits. He concludes with some thoughts on a possibly useful pattern to follow when working with the assistants that keeps the software engineer responsible for the engineering.ReferencesAutonomic Computing - https://zaphod42.livejournal.com/45717.html
In this episode, Abi Noda speaks with Derek DeBellis, lead researcher at Google's DORA team, about their latest report on generative AI's impact on software productivity.They dive into how the survey was built, what it reveals about developer time and “flow,” and the surprising gap between individual and team outcomes. Derek also shares practical advice for leaders on measuring AI impact and aligning metrics with organizational goals.Where to find Derek DeBellis: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekdebellis/Where to find Abi Noda:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abinoda In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Intro: DORA's new Impact of Gen AI report(03:24) The methodology used to put together the surveys DORA used for the report (06:44) An example of how a single word can throw off a question (07:59) How DORA measures flow (10:38) The two ways time was measured in the recent survey(14:30) An overview of experiential surveying (16:14) Why DORA asks about time (19:50) Why Derek calls survey results ‘observational data' (21:49) Interesting findings from the report (24:17) DORA's definition of productivity (26:22) Why a 2.1% increase in individual productivity is significant (30:00) The report's findings on decreased team delivery throughput and stability (32:40) Tips for measuring AI's impact on productivity (38:20) Wrap up: understanding the data Referenced:DORA | Impact of Generative AI in Software DevelopmentThe science behind DORAYale Professor Divulges Strategies for a Happy Life Incredible! Listening to ‘When I'm 64' makes you forget your ageSlow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment without BurnoutDORA, SPACE, and DevEx: Which framework should you use?SPACE framework, PRs per engineer, AI research
In this episode of AI + a16z, Distributional cofounder and CEO Scott Clark, and a16z partner Matt Bornstein, explore why building trust in AI systems matters more than just optimizing performance metrics. From understanding the hidden complexities of generative AI behavior to addressing the challenges of reliability and consistency, they discuss how to confidently deploy AI in production. Why is trust becoming a critical factor in enterprise AI adoption? How do traditional performance metrics fail to capture crucial behavioral nuances in generative AI systems? Scott and Matt dive into these questions, examining non-deterministic outcomes, shifting model behaviors, and the growing importance of robust testing frameworks. Among other topics, they cover: The limitations of conventional AI evaluation methods and the need for behavioral testing. How centralized AI platforms help enterprises manage complexity and ensure responsible AI use. The rise of "shadow AI" and its implications for security and compliance. Practical strategies for scaling AI confidently from prototypes to real-world applications.Follow everyone:Scott ClarkDistributionalMatt BornsteinDerrick Harris Check out everything a16z is doing with artificial intelligence here, including articles, projects, and more podcasts.
This interview was recorded for GOTO Unscripted.https://gotopia.techRead the full transcription of this interview hereKent Beck - Software Engineer & Creator of Extreme ProgrammingDaniel Terhorst-North - Originator of Behavior Driven Development (BDD) & Principal at Dan North & AssociatesRESOURCESKenthttps://bsky.app/profile/kentbeck.bsky.socialhttps://www.kentbeck.comhttps://github.com/KentBeckhttps://twitter.com/KentBeckhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kentbeckDanielhttps://bsky.app/profile/tastapod.comhttps://twitter.com/tastapodhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tastapodhttps://github.com/tastapodhttps://mastodon.social/@tastapodhttp://dannorth.net/blogDESCRIPTIONKent Beck and Daniel Terhorst-North reflect on the evolution of Extreme Programming (XP) and its lasting impact on agile software development. They explore the importance of short feedback loops, iterative learning, and adaptability in different phases of product development, as outlined in Beck's 3X model (Exploration, Expansion, Extraction).Kent introduces radical techniques like Test && Commit || Revert (TCR) and Limbo, which challenge traditional coding and collaboration practices by emphasizing tiny, safe iterations. The conversation ties in psychological safety, a key factor in high-performing teams, as outlined by Amy C. Edmondson.Kent envisions a future where software development scales in real-time, pushing teams to embrace faster experimentation, responsibility, and continuous learning in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.RECOMMENDED BOOKSKent Beck • Tidy First?Kent Beck & Cynthia Andres • Extreme Programming ExplainedAmy C. Edmondson • The Fearless OrganizationAmy C. Edmondson • Right Kind of WrongJez Humble & David Farley • Continuous DeliveryBlueskyTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookCHANNEL MEMBERSHIP BONUSJoin this channel to get early access to videos & other perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_tLP3AiwYKwdUHpltJPuA/joinLooking for a unique learning experience?Attend the next GOTO conference near you! Get your ticket: gotopia.techSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL - new videos posted daily!
In this episode Patrick and Shelli talk with Firasat Hussain, the Chief Product and Technology Officer at SnapCare. Firasat shares his 25-year journey through various technology leadership roles at companies like Ticketmaster, Orbitz, and RR Donnelley, emphasizing the significance of thoughtful leadership and iterative innovation. He describes his transition to SnapCare, where he is leading the integration of new AI tools and modern tech stacks to transform healthcare staffing. The discussion delves into Firasat's leadership philosophies, the importance of trust and influence over demands, and his commitment to growth and learning, both personally and professionally.(00:00) Welcome to Firasat Hussain, CPTO at SnapCare(01:23) From Accounting to Technology: Firasat's Early Career(04:32) Transition to Healthcare Tech: Joining SnapCare(05:26) The Role of Technology in Healthcare Staffing(07:11) Personal Insights: Leadership and Growth(12:03) The Importance of Travel and Broader Perspectives(14:41) SnapCare's Mission and Operations(20:13) Balancing Leadership in Work and Family Life(24:18) The Power of Trust and Kindness Over Demands(27:07) Building Trust Through Honest Conversations(30:05) The Importance of Active Listening(32:23) Establishing Priorities and Reducing Cognitive Overload(37:59) Reflecting on Personal and Professional Growth(41:50) Final ThoughtsFirasat Hussain is the Chief Product and Technology Officer at SnapCare, a technology-driven healthcare staffing firm. His 25+ year career has spanned varied industries and organizations at a range of stages, from established global tech firms to promising startups. He was Chief Technology Officer at arrivia, VP of Software Engineering at Ticketmaster, and VP of Enterprise Architecture at RR Donnelley. He spent 10 years growing and leading at Orbitz Worldwide, with six years as Director of Hotel Product Development. He launched his early career at Cysive and Oracle.If you'd like to receive new episodes as they're published, please subscribe to Innovation and the Digital Enterprise in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show.Podcast episode production by Dante32.
AI Unraveled: Latest AI News & Trends, Master GPT, Gemini, Generative AI, LLMs, Prompting, GPT Store
Key developments include OpenAI's new software engineering agent 'Codex' and Microsoft's vision for collaborative, memory-enhanced AI agents. The sources also discuss AI's growing use in advertising by companies like Google and Netflix and its potential for automating tasks in education via tools like Zapier. Concerns around AI are also presented, such as a study showing AIs can spontaneously develop social norms, Apple's perceived lag in generative AI, and controversy surrounding Grok's output on sensitive historical topics. Finally, the text touches upon Nvidia's efforts to open its chip ecosystem and the increasing use of AI chatbots for mental health support among young people.
This interview was recorded for the GOTO Book Club.gotopia.tech/bookclubRead the full transcription of the interview hereStephen Fishman - Field CTO at Boomi & Co-Author of "Unbundling the Enterprise"Matt McLarty - CTO at Boomi & Co-Author of "Unbundling the Enterprise"Erik Wilde - Principal Consultant at INNOQRESOURCESStephenhttps://x.com/fistsOfReasonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenhfishmanhttps://github.com/StephenFishmanMatthttps://bsky.app/profile/mattmclartybc.bsky.socialhttps://x.com/MattMcLartyBChttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmclartybcErikhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/erikwildehttps://github.com/dretLinkshttps://itrevolution.com/articleshttps://www.hbs.edu/faculty/PagesDESCRIPTIONHow can businesses thrive by embracing optionality through digital transformation?Authors Matt McLarty and Stephen Fishman talk about their book “Unbundling the Enterprise” with Erik Wilde. They highlight the power of APIs and flexible systems in enabling companies to capitalize on unforeseen opportunities, or "happy accidents," and how low-cost experimentation can drive long-term success.The conversation emphasizes that optionality is crucial not only in tech but also in business strategy, urging organizations to view their digital capabilities as part of a broader platform that supports both developer empowerment and revenue growth. With insights on optimization, platform engineering, and the importance of aligning technology with business objectives, the authors offer a roadmap for companies to navigate the future with agility and resilience.RECOMMENDED BOOKSStephen Fishman & Matt McLarty • Unbundling the EnterpriseCarliss Y. Baldwin • Design Rules, Vol. 2Matthew Skelton & Manuel Pais • Team TopologiesForsgren, Humble & Kim • Accelerate: The Science of Lean Software and DevOpsKim, Humble, Debois, Willis & Forsgren • The DevOps HandbookMik Kersten • Project to ProductAndrew Harmel-Law • Facilitating Software ArchitectureBlueskyTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookCHANNEL MEMBERSHIP BONUSJoin this channel to get early access to videos & other perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_tLP3AiwYKwdUHpltJPuA/joinLooking for a unique learning experience?Attend the next GOTO conference near you! Get your ticket: gotopia.techSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL - new videos posted daily!
In this episode I talk with Dave Farley about how good software engineering prioritizes making code easy to change, since we inevitably need to revise our systems as requirements evolve. Dave also shares stories from building ultra-fast financial trading systems, where his team had to repeatedly rethink their architecture to meet performance demands. We also discuss how key concepts like abstraction and modularity connect to scientific thinking, with both requiring a healthy skepticism toward our own assumptions.Modern Software EngineeringThe Software Developers' GuidebookNonsense Monthly
Apologies for the hiatus! Dave needed some time off to recover from burnout, and these episodes remained in the can. Thanks for Waiting for us
In this episode, Abi Noda is joined by Laura Tacho, CTO at DX, engineering leadership coach, and creator of the Core 4 framework. They explore how engineering organizations can avoid common pitfalls when adopting metrics frameworks like SPACE, DORA, and Core 4.Laura shares a practical guide to getting started with Core 4—beginning with controllable input metrics that teams can actually influence. The conversation touches on Goodhart's Law, why focusing too much on output metrics can lead to data distortion, and how leaders can build a culture of continuous improvement rooted in meaningful measurement.Where to find Laura Tacho: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauratacho/• Website: https://lauratacho.com/Where to find Abi Noda:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abinoda In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Intro: Improving systems, not distorting data(02:20) Goal setting with the new Core 4 framework(08:01) A quick primer on Goodhart's law(10:02) Input vs. output metrics—and why targeting outputs is problematic(13:38) A health analogy demonstrating input vs. output(17:03) A look at how the key input metrics in Core 4 drive output metrics (24:08) How to counteract gamification (28:24) How to get developer buy-in(30:48) The number of metrics to focus on (32:44) Helping leadership and teams connect the dots to how input goals drive output(35:20) Demonstrating business impact (38:10) Best practices for goal settingReferenced:DX Core 4 Productivity FrameworkEngineering Enablement PodcastDORA's software delivery metrics: the four keysThe SPACE of Developer Productivity: There's more to it than you thinkDevEx: What Actually Drives ProductivityDORA, SPACE, and DevEx: Which framework should you use?Goodhart's law Nicole Forsgren - Microsoft | LinkedInCampbell's law Introducing Core 4: The best way to measure and improve your product velocityDX Core 4: Framework overview, key design principles, and practical applicationsDX Core 4: 2024 benchmarks - by Abi Noda
Amid the buzz of the AWS Summit in London, I sat down with Eiso Kant, the CTO and Co-Founder of Poolside, to explore how his team is reshaping the future of software development through AI. This conversation was recorded right on the show floor inside a surprisingly sleek podcast booth at the ExCel, where Eiso unpacked what sets Poolside apart in a space many claim to be in but few truly build for. Poolside is not just another AI company. It's one of a handful globally that is actually training foundation models from the ground up. While most firms are chasing general-purpose AI, Poolside has chosen a different path. They focus solely on empowering software developers inside high-consequence environments, such as banking, defense, and major global retailers. These are systems where precision and security matter, and where AI can drive measurable gains in productivity and reliability. What struck me during this discussion is how deliberately Poolside has been built for enterprise use from the start. Their model doesn't just live in the cloud. It is designed to live within the customer's own infrastructure, whether that's in their private AWS environment or even on-prem. This focus on data privacy, security, and customizability is helping Poolside win trust where it counts most. And the partnership with AWS takes this a step further, making it easier for enterprises to deploy Poolside's AI within existing cloud frameworks while meeting strict governance requirements. Eiso explained that Poolside doesn't just throw larger models at problems. Instead, they use reinforcement learning from code execution, training on millions of real codebases and test suites. This approach helps the model go beyond autocomplete and simple bug fixes. It's now stepping into longer, more complex tasks, nudging us closer to a future where AI could serve as a true teammate for software engineers. We also tackled one of the most important discussions in AI today: whether this is a cost-cutting tool or a productivity multiplier. Eiso didn't dodge the nuance. While some may use AI to reduce headcount, Poolside's focus is on enabling companies to build more, ship faster, and innovate with greater speed. That shift is not about replacing people. It's about creating leverage for development teams under pressure to deliver more in less time. If you're a CTO, CIO, or engineering leader, this episode is packed with practical insights. Whether it's understanding the ROI of AI-assisted development, the importance of retaining control of your own models, or how to think about enterprise-grade security in the age of LLMs, there's a lot here to digest. So how should we really be thinking about AI in the enterprise? Is it a partner, a tool, or the beginning of an entirely new workforce paradigm? Tune in to find out.
How do you move from dabbling with AI and vibe coding to building real, production-grade software with it? In this episode, Austin Vance, CEO of Focused returns and we transition the conversation from building AI-enabled applications to fostering AI-native engineering teams. Austin shares how generative AI isn't just a shortcut—it's reshaping how we architect, code, and lead. We also get to hear Austin's thoughts on the leaked ‘AI Mandate' memo from Shopify's CEO, Tobi Lutke. We cover what Austin refers to as ‘AI-driven development', how to win over the skeptics on your teams, and why traditional patterns of software engineering might not be the best fit for LLM-driven workflows. Whether you're an engineer,product leader, or startup founder, this episode will give you a practical lens on what AI-native software development actually requires—and how to foster adoption on your teams quickly and safely to get the benefits of using AI in product delivery. Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge. Inside the episode... Why Shopify's leaked AI memo was a "permission slip" for your own team The three personas in AI adoption: advocates, skeptics, and holdouts How AI-driven development (AIDD) differs from “AI-assisted” workflows Tools and practices Focused uses to ship faster and cheaper with AI Pair programming vs. pairing with an LLM: similarities and mindset shifts How teams are learning to prompt effectively—without prompt engineering training Vibe coding vs. integrating with entrenched systems: what's actually feasible Scaling engineering culture around non-determinism and experimentation Practical tips for onboarding dev teams to tools like Cursor, Windsurf, and Vercel AI SDK Using LLMs for deep codebase exploration, not just code generation Mentioned in this episode Cursor Windsurf LangChain Claude GPT-4 / ChatGPT V0.dev GitHub Copilot Focused (focused.io) Shopify internal AI memo Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge. Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes to get updated on the other crucial conversations that we'll post on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast Learn something? Give us a 5 star review and like the podcast on YouTube. It's how we grow. Follow the Pod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergence-podcast/ X: https://twitter.com/podconvergence Instagram: @podconvergence
Send us a textDigital Transformation | Leadership | Pharma | Engineering & Data | HealthTech | Step into the world of digital leadership and transformation with this episode's inspiring guest, Anja Leth Zimmer. As the Corporate Vice President of Digital Products & Software Engineering at Novo Nordisk, Anja brings over 16 years of experience spanning Pharma, Consumer Goods, and Management Consulting. Her career journey includes pivotal roles at Deloitte and Carlsberg, and today, she leads a diverse team of software engineers, designers, and project managers-driving innovation at the intersection of technology and healthcare.Anja shares the pivotal moments that shaped her as a leader, including tough choices, failures, and the lessons learned along the way. Discover how she built the confidence to create her own opportunities, and hear her unique “pizza analogy” for taking charge of your career. Anja opens up about navigating periods of status quo and personal challenges, such as returning from maternity leave and turning obstacles into opportunities for growth.We dive into her approach to authentic leadership, the questions she asks when mentoring others, and how she encourages her team to “make their own pizza” rather than wait for a bigger slice. Anja also offers her insights on the evolving landscape of digital transformation, the importance of working across the value chain, and how to foster a culture of empowerment rather than fear.Whether you're interested in digital trends, leadership development, or making a meaningful impact through innovation, this conversation with Anja Leth Zimmer is packed with actionable advice and inspiration for your own leadership journey!Follow Anja on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjazimmer/
Matthew Sanabria joins Bryan and Adam to talk about his role at Oxide--Solutions Software Engineer--and how it fits in with engineering, sales, support and marketing. It takes everyone in Busytown! Sound good? Apply!In addition to Bryan Cantrill and Adam Leventhal, we were joined by Oxide colleague, Matthew Sanabria.Some of the topics we hit on, in the order that we hit them:Solutiuons Software Engineer applicationOxF: the "squeezefish" episodeThe Fallthrough podcastBusytownIf we got something wrong or missed something, please file a PR! Our next show will likely be on Monday at 5p Pacific Time on our Discord server; stay tuned to our Mastodon feeds for details, or subscribe to this calendar. We'd love to have you join us, as we always love to hear from new speakers!
BONUS: Software Engineers are Paid to Solve Problems, Not Write Code! With John Crickett In this BONUS episode, we explore a thought-provoking LinkedIn post by John Crickett that challenges a fundamental misconception in software engineering. John shares insights on why engineers should focus on problem-solving rather than just coding, how to develop business context understanding, and why this shift in perspective is crucial in the age of AI. Beyond Writing Code: Understanding the True Value of Software Engineering "A lot of us come to software engineering because we care about building, and missed the goal: solving a problem for a customer." John Crickett explains the fundamental disconnect many software engineers experience in their careers. While many enter the field with a passion for building and coding, they often lose sight of the ultimate purpose: solving real problems for customers. This misalignment can lead to creating technically impressive solutions that fail to address actual business needs. John emphasizes that the most valuable engineers are those who can bridge the gap between technical implementation and business value. In this section, we refer to John's Coding Challenges and Developing Skills websites. The Isolation Problem in Engineering Teams "We have insulated people from seeing and interacting with customers, perhaps because we were afraid they would create a problem with customers." One of the key issues John identifies is how engineering teams are often deliberately separated from customers and end-users. This isolation, while sometimes implemented with good intentions, prevents engineers from gaining crucial context about the problems they're trying to solve. John shares his early career experience of participating in the sales process for software projects, which gave him valuable insights into customer needs. He highlights the Extreme Programming (XP) approach, which advocates for having the customer "in the room" to provide direct and immediate feedback, creating a tighter feedback loop between problem identification and solution implementation. In this segment, we refer to the book XP Explained by Kent Beck. The AI Replacement Risk "If all you are doing is taking a ticket that is fully spec'ed out, and coding it, then an LLM could also do that. The value is in understanding the problem." In a world where Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly capable of generating code, John warns that engineers who define themselves solely as coders face a significant risk of obsolescence. The true differentiation and value come from understanding the business domain and problem space—abilities that current AI tools haven't mastered. John advises engineers to develop domain knowledge specific to their business or customers, as this expertise allows them to contribute uniquely valuable insights beyond mere code implementation. Cultivating Business Context Understanding "Be curious about what the goal is behind the code you need to write. When people tell you to build, you need to be curious about why you are being asked to build that particular solution." John offers practical advice for engineers looking to develop better business context understanding. The key is cultivating genuine curiosity about the "why" behind coding tasks and features. By questioning requirements and understanding the business goals driving technical decisions, engineers can transform their role from merely delivering code to providing valuable services and solutions. This approach allows engineers to contribute more meaningfully and become partners in business success rather than just implementers. Building the Right Engineering Culture "Code is always a liability, sometimes it's an asset. The process starts with hiring the CTO—the people at the top. You get the team that reflects your values." Creating an engineering culture that values problem-solving over code production starts at the leadership level. John emphasizes that the values demonstrated by technical leadership will cascade throughout the organization. He notes the counter-intuitive truth that code itself is inherently a liability (requiring maintenance, updates, and potential refactoring), only becoming an asset when it effectively solves business problems. Building a team that understands this distinction begins with leadership that demonstrates curiosity about the business domain and encourages engineers to do the same. The Power of Asking Questions "Be curious, ask more questions." For engineers looking to make the shift from coder to problem-solver, John recommends developing the skill of asking good questions. He points to Harvard Business Review's article on "The Surprising Power of Questions" as a valuable resource. The ability to ask insightful questions about business needs, user requirements, and problem definitions allows engineers to uncover the true challenges beneath surface-level requirements. This curiosity-driven approach not only leads to better solutions but also positions engineers as valuable contributors to business strategy. In this segment, we refer to the article in HBR titled The Surprising Power of Questions. About John Crickett John is a passionate software engineer and leader on a mission to empower one million engineers and managers. With extensive expertise in distributed systems, full-stack development, and evolving tech stacks from C++ to Rust, John creates innovative coding challenges, insightful articles, and newsletters to help teams level up their skills. You can link with John Crickett on LinkedIn.
This is the Engineering Culture Podcast, from the people behind InfoQ.com and the QCon conferences. In this podcast, Shane Hastie, Lead Editor for Culture & Methods spoke to John Gesimondo about how to leverage generative AI tools to support sustainable mental peace and productivity in the complex, interruption-prone world of software engineering - especially for neurodivergent individuals - by developing a practical framework that addresses emotional recovery, overcoming being stuck, structured planning and communication, maximizing flow, and fostering divergent thinking. Read a transcript of this interview: https://bit.ly/4iyCqpr Subscribe to the Software Architects' Newsletter for your monthly guide to the essential news and experience from industry peers on emerging patterns and technologies: https://www.infoq.com/software-architects-newsletter Upcoming Events: InfoQ Dev Summit Boston (June 9-10, 2025) Actionable insights on today's critical dev priorities. devsummit.infoq.com/conference/boston2025 InfoQ Dev Summit Munich (October 15-16, 2025) Essential insights on critical software development priorities. https://devsummit.infoq.com/conference/munich2025 QCon San Francisco 2025 (November 17-21, 2025) Get practical inspiration and best practices on emerging software trends directly from senior software developers at early adopter companies. https://qconsf.com/ QCon AI New York 2025 (December 16-17, 2025) https://ai.qconferences.com/ The InfoQ Podcasts: Weekly inspiration to drive innovation and build great teams from senior software leaders. Listen to all our podcasts and read interview transcripts: - The InfoQ Podcast https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/ - Engineering Culture Podcast by InfoQ https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/#engineering_culture - Generally AI: https://www.infoq.com/generally-ai-podcast/ Follow InfoQ: - Mastodon: https://techhub.social/@infoq - Twitter: twitter.com/InfoQ - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/infoq - Facebook: bit.ly/2jmlyG8 - Instagram: @infoqdotcom - Youtube: www.youtube.com/infoq Write for InfoQ: Learn and share the changes and innovations in professional software development. - Join a community of experts. - Increase your visibility. - Grow your career. https://www.infoq.com/write-for-infoq
This interview was recorded for the GOTO Book Club.http://gotopia.tech/bookclubRead the full transcription of the interview hereAndrew Harmel-Law - Technical Principal at Thoughtworks & Author of "Facilitating Software Architecture"Sonya Natanzon - Senior Director of Software Engineering at Guardant HealthRESOURCESAndrewhttps://bsky.app/profile/andrewhl.bsky.socialhttps://twit.social/@ahlhttps://github.com/andrewharmellawhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewharmellawSonyahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sonya-natanzonLinkshttps://facilitatingsoftwarearchitecture.comhttps://martinfowler.com/articleshttps://www.thoughtworks.com/radar/techniqueshttps://www.cognitect.com/blog/2011/11/15https://medium.com/@vanessamformicolaDESCRIPTIONSonya Natanzon and Andrew Harmel-Law explore key concepts from Andrew's book, fostering decentralized sociotechnical systems, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfection in decision-making, and combating cognitive biases like the framing effect.They highlight the shift to prioritizing learning, adaptability, and small, fast iterations in socio-technical systems. Andrew discusses psychological safety as vital for empowering teams to innovate while maintaining accountability, advocating for experimentation and collective ownership of evolving codebases. Together, they underline the importance of balancing creativity and structure to build resilient, adaptive systems that thrive in complexity.RECOMMENDED BOOKSAndrew Harmel-Law • Facilitating Software ArchitectureDiana Montalion • Learning Systems ThinkingDonald G. Reinertsen • The Principles of Product Development FlowAlexander, Ishikawa, Silverstein, Jacobson, Fiksdahl-King & Ange • A Pattern LanguagePatty McCord • PowerfulShoshana Zuboff • The Age of Surveillance CapitalismMatthew Skelton & Manuel Pais • TeaBlueskyTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookCHANNEL MEMBERSHIP BONUSJoin this channel to get early access to videos & other perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs_tLP3AiwYKwdUHpltJPuA/joinLooking for a unique learning experience?Attend the next GOTO conference near you! Get your ticket: gotopia.techSUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL - new videos posted daily!
You might think you know software engineering, but what are the really fundamental elements? What are the concepts, ideas and practices that are completely essential? What makes software engineering what it is? Thoughtworker Nate Schutta and Dan Vega are attempting to address those questions in their upcoming book with O'Reilly, The Fundamentals of Software Engineering. Covering topics ranging from reading code through to the importance of learning to learn, it promises to offer a fresh insight into the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful software engineer. In this episode of the Thoughtworks Technology Podcast, Nate and Dan join hosts Neal Ford and Ken Mugrage to discuss the book and to dive into what really are the fundamental elements of software engineering. Listen for a fresh perspective on the discipline and a deep dive that shows it's about far more than just writing code. Learn more about The Fundamentals of Software Engineering: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/fundamentals-of-software/9781098143220/
Episode 14 | The Effortless PodcastIn this episode of The Effortless Podcast, hosts Dheeraj Pandey and Amit Prakash sit down with Harpinder "Happy" Singh, AI/ML Engineer at DevRev, to explore the future of AI and machine learning in business automation. Happy, who joined DevRev in 2021, shares his journey from computer science to AI, discussing how DevRev is leveraging cutting-edge technologies like large language models (LLMs) and function calling to streamline enterprise workflows.Happy breaks down the key concepts of AI-driven workflows, the debate between federated and integrated systems, and the growing importance of Python in AI. He also shares insights from the CodeAct paper, which proposes using Python code execution for more efficient and flexible LLMs. The conversation highlights the transformative potential of AI in enterprise automation and how it is reshaping industries.They also cover:The evolution of AI at DevRev: From workflows to AI-driven automationThe role of Python in executing complex tasks for LLMsUnderstanding the user-agent-environment model in AI systemsHow federated vs. integrated systems impact AI performanceThe future of AI in enterprise automation and DevRev's innovationsHappy's decision to stay in India and the growing tech ecosystem in IndiaThis episode provides valuable insights into how AI is transforming business operations, making complex workflows more efficient and accessible. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a developer, or a business leader, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the next wave of AI-driven innovation.Key Topics & Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to Harpinder "Happy" Singh & His Journey into AI03:00 – Happy's Early Background: From Shahjahanpur to BITS Pilani06:30 – Transition to AI at DevRev09:30 – Bangalore Life and Growing with DevRev13:00 – AI in India vs. the US18:00 – Federated vs. Integrated Systems: Which Approach Works Best for AI?25:00 – The Role of Python in AI32:00 – User, Agent, and Environment Model in AI39:30 – The CodeAct Paper: Replacing Tool Calls with Python Code Execution47:00 – AI in Enterprise Automation: How DevRev Uses AI to Streamline Workflows54:00 – Looking Ahead at DevRev's AI Innovations1:00:00 – Final Reflections: The Future of AI in Business and AutomationHosts:Dheeraj Pandey: Co-founder and CEO at DevRev, formerly CEO of Nutanix, a tech visionary passionate about AI and systems thinking.Amit Prakash: Co-founder and CTO at ThoughtSpot, former engineer at Google and Microsoft, and expert in distributed systems and machine learning.Guest:Harpinder Jot Singh: AI/ML Engineer at DevRev, working on the cutting edge of large language models (LLMs), AI-driven workflows, and integrating AI into enterprise systems.Follow the Host and the Guest:Dheeraj Pandey: LinkedIn | XAmit Prakash: LinkedIn | XHarpinder Singh: LinkedInHave questions or thoughts on AI? Drop us a mail at effortlesspodcasthq@gmail.comDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights into the future of AI, business automation, and enterprise technology!
In this crossover episode of The Cognitive Revolution, Nathan Labenz joins Liron Shapira of Doom Debates, for a wide-ranging news and analysis discussion about recent AI developments. The conversation covers significant topics including GPT-4o image generation's implications for designers and businesses like Waymark, debates around learning to code, entrepreneurship versus job security, and the validity of OpenAI's $300 billion valuation. Nathan and Leron also explore AI safety organizations, international cooperation possibilities, and Anthropic's new mechanistic interpretability paper, providing listeners with thoughtful perspectives on the high-stakes nature of advanced AI development across society. All the links mentioned in the episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LyFMLH5VpkhY7KfFBpgi2vhfbmdbDtQ4hh03KXEXyiE/edit?usp=sharing SPONSORS: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle Cloud Infrastructure offers next-generation cloud solutions that cut costs and boost performance. With OCI, you can run AI projects and applications faster and more securely for less. New U.S. customers can save 50% on compute, 70% on storage, and 80% on networking by switching to OCI before May 31, 2024. See if you qualify at https://oracle.com/cognitive Shopify: Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, handling 10% of U.S. e-commerce. With hundreds of templates, AI tools for product descriptions, and seamless marketing campaign creation, it's like having a design studio and marketing team in one. Start your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/cognitive NetSuite: Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. With a unified platform for accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR, NetSuite provides real-time insights and forecasting to help you make quick, informed decisions. Whether you're earning millions or hundreds of millions, NetSuite empowers you to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Download the free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at https://netsuite.com/cognitive PRODUCED BY: https://aipodcast.ing CHAPTERS: (00:00) About the Episode (02:58) Introduction and Guest Background (08:23) P Doom Discussion (13:15) Anthropic Leadership Concerns (Part 1) (19:50) Sponsors: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) | Shopify (21:04) Sponsors: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) | Shopify (23:00) Anthropic Leadership Concerns (Part 2) (29:34) GPT-4o Image Capabilities (Part 1) (29:43) Sponsors: NetSuite (31:11) GPT-4o Image Capabilities (Part 2) (38:19) AI Impact on Creative Work (48:26) Future of Software Engineering (01:02:10) NVIDIA Stock Discussion (01:09:21) OpenAI's $300B Valuation (01:17:37) AI Models and Safety (01:33:58) Packy's AI Concerns Critique (01:46:41) Emmett Shear's Organic Alignment (02:04:43) Anthropic's Interpretability Paper (02:17:53) International AI Cooperation (02:27:38) Outro
Brian Houck from Microsoft returns to discuss effective strategies for driving AI adoption among software development teams. Brian shares his insights into why the immense hype around AI often serves as a barrier rather than a facilitator for adoption, citing skepticism and inflated expectations among developers. He highlights the most effective approaches, including leadership advocacy, structured training, and cultivating local champions within teams to demonstrate practical use cases. Brian emphasizes the importance of honest communication about AI's capabilities, avoiding over-promises, and ensuring that teams clearly understand what AI tools are best suited for. Additionally, he discusses common pitfalls, such as placing excessive pressure on individuals through leaderboards and unrealistic mandates, and stresses the importance of framing AI as an assistant rather than a replacement for developer skills. Finally, Brian explores the role of data and metrics in adoption efforts, offering practical advice on how to measure usage effectively and sustainably.Where to find Brian Houck: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianhouck/ • Website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/people/bhouck/ Where to find Abi Noda:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abinoda In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Intro: Why AI hype can hinder adoption among teams(01:47) Key strategies companies use to successfully implement AI(04:47) Understanding why adopting AI tools is uniquely challenging(07:09) How clear and consistent leadership communication boosts AI adoption(10:46) The value of team leaders ("local champions") demonstrating practical AI use(14:26) Practical advice for identifying and empowering team champions(16:31) Common mistakes companies make when encouraging AI adoption(19:21) Simple technical reminders and nudges that encourage AI use(20:24) Effective ways to track and measure AI usage through dashboards(23:18) Working with team leaders and infrastructure teams to promote AI tools(24:20) Understanding when to shift from adoption efforts to sustained use(25:59) Insights into the real-world productivity impact of AI(27:52) Discussing how AI affects long-term code maintenance(29:02) Updates on ongoing research linking sleep quality to productivityReferenced:DX Core 4 Productivity FrameworkEngineering Enablement PodcastDORA MetricsDropbox Engineering BlogEtsy Engineering BlogPfizer Digital InnovationBrown Bag Sessions – A GuideIDE Integration and AI ToolsDeveloper Productivity Dashboard Examples
In today's rapidly evolving world, one of the most essential leadership skills is learning to embrace the unknown. Take it from Erica Banks, VP of Software Engineering at CNN — who doesn't shy away from uncertainty but finds opportunity in the unexpected. In this episode, we explore how leaders can lead with confidence in the face of ambiguity and navigate the dynamic media technology environment. If you're looking to step up your leadership game, this conversation is a must-listen.
Building and growing winning teams – thoughts from a seasoned fintech leader on managing high-performing engineering teams. Detailed Summary: In this episode Naga Rishyender, Manager of Software Engineering at Discover Financial Services, shares his thoughts on building and managing high-performing engineering teams in the fast-evolving fintech space. He begins by discussing his career journey—from his education at UNCC to roles at Wells Fargo, Oracle, Amazon, and now Discover—highlighting the impact of his leadership on major projects like Amazon's “Pay with Affirm” feature. At Discover, he currently leads a team of engineers working on critical payment authorization systems, fraud prevention, and infrastructure modernization, with a strong focus on innovation and cloud technology. Naga goes on to detail his philosophy for assembling effective engineering teams. He emphasizes diversity—not just in background, but in experience levels—as a key to fostering collaboration, mentorship, and innovation. Psychological safety, clear roadmaps, and continuous learning opportunities are all pillars of his leadership approach to ensure team alignment and growth. The conversation also explores the evolving relationship between academia and the fintech industry. Naga praises the rise of fintech-specific courses in universities and highlights Discover's Student Rotational Program as a successful model for bridging the gap between education and real-world experience. He advocates for more industry-academic collaboration through mentorship, hackathons, internships, and curriculum development. These partnerships, he argues, prepare students more effectively for careers in fintech by offering practical experience, exposure to regulations, and insight into company cultures before graduation. More info: Discover FS: https://www.discover.com/ Naga Rishyendar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naga-rishyendar-p/ Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/ Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/ #fintech #leadership #engineering #financialservices #innovation #mentorship #finovate
What happens when one of the most legendary minds in tech delves deep into the real workings of modern AI? A 2-hour long masterclass that you don't want to miss. Bret Taylor, current chairman of OpenAI, unpacks why AI is transforming software engineering forever, how founders can survive acquisition (he's done it twice), and why the true bottlenecks in AI aren't what most think. Drawing on his extensive experiences at Facebook, Google, Twitter and more, he explains why the next phase of AI won't just be about building better models—it's about creating entirely new ways for us to work with them. Bret exposes the reality gap between what AI insiders understand and what everyone else believes. Listen now to recalibrate your thinking before your competitors do. (00:02:46) Aha Moments with AI (00:04:43) Founders Working for Founders (00:07:59) Acquisition Process (00:14:14) The Role of a Board (00:17:05) Founder Mode (00:20:29) Engineers as Leaders (00:24:54) Applying First Principles in Business (00:28:43) The Future of Software Engineering (00:35:11) Efficiency and Verification of AI-Generated Code (00:36:46) The Future of Software Development (00:37:24) Defining AGI (00:47:03) AI Self-Improvement? (00:47:58) Safety Measures and Supervision in AI (00:49:47) Benefiting Humanity and AI Safety (00:54:06) Regulation and Geopolitical Landscape in AI (00:55:58) Foundation Models and Frontier Models (01:01:06) Economics and Open Source Models (01:05:18) AI and AGI Accessibility (01:07:42) Optimizing AI Prompts (01:11:18) Creating an AI Superpower (01:14:12) Future of Education and AI (01:19:34) The Impact of AI on Job Roles (01:21:58) AI in Problem-Solving and Research (01:25:24) Importance of AI Context Window (01:27:37) AI Output and Intellectual Property (01:30:09) Google Maps Launch and Challenges (01:37:57) Long-Term Investment in AI (01:43:02) Balancing Work and Family Life (01:44:25) Building Sierra as an Enduring Company (01:45:38) Lessons from Tech Company Lifecycles (01:48:31) Definition and Applications of AI Agents (01:53:56) Challenges and Importance of Branded AI Agents (01:56:28) Fending Off Complacency in Companies (02:01:21) Customer Obsession and Leadership in Companies Bret Taylor is currently the Chairman of OpenAI and CEO of Sierra. Previously, he was the CTO of Facebook, Chairman of the board for X, and the Co-CEO of Salesforce. Newsletter - The Brain Food newsletter delivers actionable insights and thoughtful ideas every Sunday. It takes 5 minutes to read, and it's completely free. Learn more and sign up at fs.blog/newsletter Upgrade — If you want to hear my thoughts and reflections at the end of the episode, join our membership: fs.blog/membership and get your own private feed. Watch on YouTube: @tkppodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
(05:57) Brought to you by Swimm.io.Start modernizing your mainframe faster with Swimm.Understand the what, why, and how of your mainframe code.Use AI to uncover critical code insights for seamless migration, refactoring, or system replacement.Are we looking at software engineering the wrong way?What if it's less about writing code and more about making better decisions in an ever-changing system?Learn a revolutionary approach to understanding complex software systems in my conversation with Tudor Girba, the CEO of feenk. We explore “Moldable Development,” a groundbreaking concept that challenges traditional views of software engineering. Learn why treating development as a decision-making process, supported by custom tools, is crucial for tackling today's software challenges, especially when dealing with legacy systems.Key topics discussed:Software Engineering as Decision-Making: Why software development is fundamentally about making informed decisions rather than just constructing systems.The Inefficiency of Reading Code: Developers spend over 50% of their time reading code, yet this activity remains unoptimized.Moldable Development: Learn how creating custom tools tailored to specific problems can revolutionize your workflow and decision-making process.Legacy Systems as Opportunities: Reframe legacy systems as value-creation opportunities instead of burdens.Glamorous Toolkit: Discover the innovative development environment enabling thousands of micro-tools for better system understanding.The Future of Development Environments: Explore how AI, moldable development, and tools like Glamorous Toolkit can coexist to solve diverse class of problems.This conversation will completely transform how you think about software development! Timestamps:(00:01:57) Career Turning Points(00:08:29) Understanding How We Read Code(00:10:43) Software Engineering is a Decision-Making Activity(00:13:19) Reading Code is a Suboptimal Activity(00:16:44) Moldable Development(00:22:47) The Challenges with Legacy Systems(00:30:17) Moldable Development Workflow(00:46:02) Glamorous Toolkit(00:54:15) IDE, AI, and Glamorous Toolkit(01:00:36) Writing with Simon Wardley(01:03:01) 1 Tech Lead Wisdom_____Tudor Girba's BioTudor Girba is the CEO of feenk, a company focused on modernizing legacy systems. They do that through Moldable Development, a way of programming through contextual tools. They build Glamorous Toolkit, a free and open-source moldable development environment, to show how working through thousands of contextual tools per system can be practical. In 2014, Tudor received the prestigious Dahl-Nygaard Junior Prize for his work on modeling and visualisation of evolution and interplay of large numbers of objects.Follow Tudor:LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/girbaBluesky – bsky.app/profile/tudorgirba.comX – x.com/girbafeenk – feenk.comGlamorous Toolkit – gtoolkit.com
This is one of my favorite conversations that I wanted to replay this week. If you are in any post sales Customer Success, or Account Management world, you have most likely heard of this week's guest. This week's guest started his journey studying Information Systems and Software Engineering before making the shift into Professional Services, Support, and Customer Success. At the time of recording, he was an Executive VP of Corporate Market and Chief Customer Officer at Higher Logic. Now, he is the CEO of Balboa Solutions, where they help their clients maximize the value of the Pendo platform to power adoption, enablement, and user analytics.This week's guest is the heart of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Mr. Jay Nathan. In this week's episode, we discussed:Customer Centric MindsetNatural Curiosity For CustomersLessons From Duke Energy (Large Enterprises and Heavy Process)The Start of The Largest CS CommunityUsing Your Own ProductMuch More! Please enjoy this week's episode with Jay Nathan.____________________________________________________________________________I am now in the early stages of writing my first book! In this book, I will be telling my story of getting into sales and the lessons I have learned so far, and intertwine stories, tips, and advice from the Top Sales Professionals In The World! As a first time author, I want to share these interviews with you all, and take you on this book writing journey with me! Like the show? Subscribe to the email: https://mailchi.mp/a71e58dacffb/welcome-to-the-20-podcast-communityI want your feedback!Reach out to 20percentpodcastquestions@gmail.com, or find me on LinkedIn
When you make your living settling other people's disagreements, it can be easy to fall back on the skills and tools gained in that Professional environment when trying to resolve an argument that is Personal in nature. And like an almost comical right-of-passage, it's a mistake that EVERY lawyer makes at some point, typically early on in their career. The type of detached logic we use to navigate a problem is great for guaranteeing Justice, but it's also what makes it terrible for acknowledging (much less validating) the role emotions play in interpersonal relationships. And when your spouse, colleague, or friend suddenly feels like they're being cross-examined, it doesn't end well.Trust me. But as my guest this week discovered through his own journey, oftentimes the logic of relationships only breaks down because we're trying to solve for the wrong variables. And sometimes we're not even working on the same equation. Rod Jeter is a Navy veteran who found success in multiple careers including Real Estate and Software Engineering, but as he writes in his latest book, his personal life was on a downward slope. Not one to give up easily, Rod began working backwards to figure out why it seemed like even though two people had the exact same information AND knew each other well, they could come to such vastly different conclusions about something. This question would lead him to develop the YBAngry relationship tool with the goal of creating happier homes and helping as many people as possible solve conflicts and disagreements with less chaos and more fun. On this week's episode of Legal Grounds, Rod shares his journey, insights learned from working with hundreds of couples, and a couple of laughs along the way. Enjoy the show.
Sourcegraph is a powerful code search and intelligence tool that helps developers navigate and understand large codebases efficiently. It provides advanced search functionality across multiple repositories, making it easier to find references, functions, and dependencies. Additionally, Sourcegraph integrates with various development workflows to streamline code reviews and collaboration across teams. Beyang Liu is the CTO The post Sourcegraph and the Frontier of AI in Software Engineering with Beyang Liu appeared first on Software Engineering Daily.
ABOUT ELIOT HOROWITZEliot Horowitz is the Founder and CEO of Viam, an engineering platform unlocking AI, automation, and data for devices in the physical world. With a deep commitment to advancing technology, Eliot leads Viam in helping companies build solutions across robotics, food and beverage, climate, marine, industrial manufacturing, and more.A career software developer and technology leader, Eliot co-founded MongoDB in 2007, writing the core code base for the pioneering database and leading the engineering and product teams for 13 years as CTO. MongoDB, which went public in 2017, has since reached a market cap of over $20 billion. Before MongoDB, he co-founded the ecommerce company ShopWiki and served as CTO, and he began his career in software development in the R&D group of adtech firm DoubleClick.Eliot is passionate about using technology to address pressing societal issues, including working with WAVS to protect marine life in the North Atlantic and supporting Billion Oyster Project's work to help restore New York Harbor's ecosystem.SHOW NOTES:The origin story of founding Viam (2:56)How Viam can be a game-changing platform, accelerating robotics software & hardware 10x to 100x (4:33)The ideation journey behind Viam: Building a platform that simplifies the integration of hardware and software development (6:11)Solving challenges with seamless APIs, a modular system, the right abstraction layers, and a comprehensive platform (9:54)Key questions for identifying the right abstraction layers at Viam (11:32)Optimizing your platform for flexibility and ease of use (13:32)The evolution of product building, from first-hand experience to customer-driven (16:33)How Eliot's MongoDB Experience shaped Viam's user-centric approach, open-source strategy, business model & ecosystem approach (18:48)Cultivating developer communities & leveraging community insights at MongoDB & Viam (23:01)Frameworks for deciding on your business model & pricing (24:52)Eliot's approach to building developer tools & products used by engineers (26:23)Aligning your eng team & stakeholders on the product vision (29:51)What it means to deeply understand engineers and how they interact with your product (31:10)Strategies for eng leaders to better connect with customers (34:38)Viam's real-world applications & what's next (36:31)Rapid fire questions (39:31)LINKS AND RESOURCESViam - At Viam, we believe in the power of technology to make our world smarter, happier, and more sustainable. We're building a revolutionary engineering platform for problem-solving in the physical world, so that innovators from all disciplines can address humanity's most complex challenges with practical solutions. Together with our partners, we're committed to making a lasting positive impact on industries, communities, and the planet.This episode wouldn't have been possible without the help of our incredible production team:Patrick Gallagher - Producer & Co-HostJerry Li - Co-HostNoah Olberding - Associate Producer, Audio & Video Editor https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-olberding/Dan Overheim - Audio Engineer, Dan's also an avid 3D printer - https://www.bnd3d.com/Ellie Coggins Angus - Copywriter, Check out her other work at https://elliecoggins.com/about/