Software engineers often think adding AI is just a simple API call, but moving from a Proof of Concept to a stable production system requires a completely different mindset.
Maria Vechtomova breaks down the harsh reality of MLOps, why rigorous evaluation is non-negotiable, and why autonomous agents are riskier than you think.
In this episode, we cover:
Connect with Maria:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-vechtomova
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:25 - Why the AI Hype Was Actually Good for Monitoring
00:03:07 - Real-World AI Use Cases That Deliver Actual Value
00:05:16 - MLOps Basics Every Software Engineer Needs to Know
00:08:08 - The Hidden Complexity of Deploying Agents to Production
00:12:02 - Minimum Requirements for Moving from PoC to Production
00:15:41 - Step-by-Step Guide to Evaluating AI Features Before Launch
00:18:08 - How to Handle Data Labeling and Drift Detection
00:21:55 - Why You Likely Need Custom Tools for Monitoring
00:24:56 - Why Engineers Build AI Features They Don't Need
00:26:01 - How Software Engineers Can Learn Data Science Principles
00:31:36 - The Dangerous Security Risks of Autonomous Customer Service Agents
00:34:44 - Why Human-in-the-Loop is Essential for Avoiding Reputational Damage
00:36:18 - Boosting Developer Productivity with Opinionated AI Prompts
00:39:20 - Using Voice Notes and AI to Organize Your Life
#MLOps #SoftwareEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence
Are your technical skills actually holding your career back? In this conversation with Anand Sahay, Global CEO of Xebia, we explore the controversial reality that "mediocre" engineers often climb the corporate ladder faster than technical wizards. And what you need to do to change that trajectory.
In this episode, we cover:
This discussion is essential for software engineers, architects, and technical managers who want to break through the "tech ceiling" and understand how decisions are really made at the top.
Connect with Anand:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ansahay
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:28 - How to Pitch to Executives (And Not Get Rejected)
00:03:42 - The #1 Trait of Elite Engineering Leaders
00:06:15 - Why AI Answers Destroy Your Credibility
00:10:11 - Why Mediocre Engineers Get Promoted Over Great Ones
00:14:15 - The Truth About the "Individual Contributor" Track
00:16:16 - The Arrogance Trap: Why Devs Fail at Business
00:22:08 - Stop Being a "One Man Army" (Unless You Do This)
00:25:32 - From Developer to CEO: The Uncommon Path
00:29:07 - Why Most Engineering Teams Are Structured Wrong
00:32:17 - How to Spot a Toxic Tech Culture
00:34:44 - Will AI Replace Senior Engineers?
00:38:40 - Maintaining Technical Intuition Without Coding Daily
00:41:53 - When to Approve "Bad" Ideas for Team Morale
00:48:41 - The "Hard Part First" Rule for Innovation
#SoftwareEngineering #TechLeadership #CareerGrowth
Tools change and frameworks die, but your career doesn't have to. Marijn Markus joins the show to explain why "Don't be a fool with a tool" is the single most important piece of advice for modern software engineers and data professionals.
In this episode, we cover:
This conversation is essential for engineers who want to move from memorizing syntax to mastering the skills that actually last.
Connect with Marijn Markus:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marijnmarkus
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:01 - Realizing That Data Science Can Actually Save Lives
00:04:36 - Predicting Refugee Movements With Hamburger Prices
00:07:05 - Why You Should Try Different Roles Early in Your Career
00:12:37 - Learning in Banking to Eventually Help Non-Profits
00:15:38 - Why Certifications Are Compensation for Lack of Experience
00:18:36 - The Single Most Important Skill in the Tech Field
00:21:39 - "If They Understood the Problem, They Wouldn't Hire You"
00:25:48 - Why Innovation Comes From War, Crime, and Adult Industries
00:31:16 - The Danger of AI Agents and Automated Social Engineering
00:35:03 - Focus on Skills That Do Not Have Expiration Dates
00:39:47 - How to Navigate Truth in the Era of Deepfakes
00:41:30 - Don't Be a Fool With a Tool (The Selenium Trap)
00:45:25 - Rising Above the Tools to Become an Expert
#SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice #Technology
Are you just executing tickets, or are you driving business impact?
In this episode, Praveen Murugesan (VP of Engineering at Samsara) breaks down why the best engineers don't just write code and why "coding skills" alone won't get you there.
He explains the critical shift from "software engineer" to "product engineer," why you shouldn't wait for permission to solve problems, and how to de-risk high-stakes projects like a true owner.
In this episode, we cover:
The difference between a "Ticket Taker" and a Product Engineer
Why Product Managers should NOT be doing project management
How to grow to Staff Engineer without managing a large team
The exact interview questions to ask to test a company’s culture
A real story of an engineer telling a VP: "That's not an important problem"
Connect with Praveen Murugesan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/praveenmurugesan
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:55 - Product Engineer vs. Software Engineer: What’s the Difference?
00:06:20 - Why Product Managers Should Not Do Project Management
00:11:06 - The Danger of "Flying Blind" Without Business Context
00:15:24 - Why Curiosity Is the Ultimate Leverage in the AI Era
00:25:06 - Why the Best Ideas Must Win Regardless of Hierarchy
00:27:43 - The #1 Interview Question to Test for Engineering Ownership
00:32:12 - How to Test a Company’s Culture Before You Join
00:36:04 - Why You Don't Need to Be Senior to Be a Product Engineer
00:40:46 - Managing High-Stakes Projects and De-risking Failure
00:43:56 - What I Learned From Breaking Production at Salesforce
00:48:29 - The Myth About Staff Engineering and Managing Teams
00:51:59 - The Engineer Who Told the VP: "That's Not an Important Problem"
#SoftwareEngineering #StaffEngineer #CareerGrowth
Traditional software engineering job listings have dropped by 70%, yet Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) roles have exploded by over 800% this year. We sit down with Mo Fagir, Principal Technical Consultant at ServiceNow, to break down exactly why this shift is happening and how you can pivot your career to ride this AI adoption wave.
In this episode, we cover:
Connect with Mo Fagir:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mo-nour-tarig
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:14 - Why software jobs dropped 70% while FDEs grew over 800%
00:02:55 - Why companies can't implement AI without Forward Deployed Engineers
00:05:36 - Is this career path safe for traditional software engineers?
00:07:54 - The exact technical stack you need to master today
00:10:48 - Moving from engineering scope to product centric thinking
00:16:15 - Can juniors and early career devs get hired as FDEs?
00:19:12 - How to build a portfolio that gets you hired
00:22:17 - Why passion and attitude beat experience in the AI era
00:24:33 - How to train yourself to have a sense of urgency
00:29:05 - Can introverts succeed in client facing engineering roles?
00:32:17 - Lessons learned from interning at NASA and researching AI
00:35:09 - Are we in an AI bubble that will burst soon?
00:40:34 - Does becoming an FDE risk vendor lock-in for your career?
00:43:36 - Final advice for engineers entering the 2025 job market
#ForwardDeployedEngineer #FDE #SoftwareCareers
If you think your value as a software engineer comes just from writing code, you're already at risk.
In this episode, Outsystems CEO Woodson Martin reveals why AI isn't the real threat to your career. Irrelevance is. He explains that writing code is now only 20% of the job, and the engineers who thrive are the ones who master the other "80% that matters."
We cover:
This is a reality check for developers, tech leads, and architects who want to stay relevant as agentic AI reshapes the industry.
Connect with Woodson:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodsonmartin
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:56 - How Agentic AI keeps the human in the loop
00:01:55 - Real-world example: Automating the grunt work
00:04:17 - How engineers are using agents internally
00:05:52 - Blending Low-Code and High-Code for complex systems
00:08:28 - Is a Low-Code career a trap for engineers?
00:10:50 - Will AI make software engineering obsolete?
00:12:09 - The 80/20 Rule: Why code is only 20% of your job
00:13:14 - Layoffs vs. the rise of the solo entrepreneur
00:15:18 - Career advice for a volatile tech market
00:17:02 - How to retain top talent and keep them happy
00:20:10 - Why we radically changed our engineering team structure
00:24:33 - The "Forward Deployed Engineer" model explained
00:27:08 - Outsystems vs. OpenAI: The future of platform building
00:31:45 - The tech debt problem no one's talking about
00:34:23 - The one thing that keeps you from becoming irrelevant
#SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice #AIAgents
What if you could build a multi-million dollar software company where only 10% of your employees are developers? AFAS, a company with hundreds of millions in revenue, does exactly that with a lean team of just 70 engineers. In this episode, Engineering Manager Michiel Overeem pulls back the curtain on their unconventional strategies for achieving massive productivity with a surprisingly small team.
In this episode, we cover:
This video is for engineering leaders and software developers who want to learn proven, counter-intuitive strategies to build hyper-effective teams and get more done, regardless of team size.
Connect with Michiel:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/movereem
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:22 - The "10% Engineering" Paradox at a €100M+ Company
00:03:20 - How Standardization Allows a Small Team to Do More
00:04:27 - The Two Types of Engineers Every Successful Company Needs
00:06:46 - Why Feeling Responsible is More Powerful Than Being Responsible
00:09:33 - The Secret Sauce of High-Performing Engineering Teams
00:11:52 - A Simple Method to Keep Engineers Connected to Customers
00:14:22 - What We Look For When Hiring New Engineers
00:17:09 - The #1 Red Flag That Will Get You Rejected in an Interview
00:19:33 - Why We Don't Use Scrum (And What We Do Instead)
00:22:51 - The Power of Strong, Decisive Leadership
00:24:13 - How Our 4-Day Work Week Actually Works
00:26:55 - Our Approach to Adopting AI Tools like Copilot
00:28:19 - Final Advice: The Best Way to Grow Your Career
#EngineeringCulture #Productivity #SoftwareDevelopment
System design interviews often focus on theoretical complexity, but how do Senior Engineers at GitHub actually approach scaling? In this episode, Bassem Dghaidi breaks down how to think about system design when real business impact is on the line.
We discuss why "simple is complicated enough," the dangers of premature scaling, and why vertical scaling often beats complex distributed systems. If you want to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and understand how to design software that actually serves the business, this conversation is for you.
In this episode, we cover:
- The "Order of Magnitude" rule for scaling systems
- Why GitHub often runs millions of requests on simple architecture
- How to communicate technical constraints to non-technical stakeholders
- Why 90% of Bassem's code is now written by AI agents
Connect with Bassem Dghaidi:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bassemdghaidy
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:48 - Theory vs. Practice in System Design
00:02:06 - The Startup That Almost Failed via Kubernetes
00:03:33 - How GitHub Scales (It's Simpler Than You Think)
00:05:20 - The Underrated Power of Vertical Scaling
00:08:23 - Why Big Tech Interviews for Scale You Don't Need Yet
00:10:39 - Software Evolves, It Isn't Just "Built"
00:11:53 - Only Design for the Next Order of Magnitude
00:15:39 - Stop Building Generic Frameworks
00:18:17 - "Hacking" the System Design Interview
00:21:29 - Translating Tech Problems to Business Risks
00:27:37 - Layoffs & Engineering Efficiency
00:29:41 - Proving Your Impact with Numbers
00:31:00 - Professional Engineering vs. Hobby Coding
00:32:19 - "Simple is Complicated Enough"
00:35:03 - The Rise of AI Coding (The Motorcycle Analogy)
00:37:30 - "90% of My Code is Written by AI Agents"
00:41:04 - How to Become a Great Engineer
#SystemDesign #SoftwareEngineering #GitHub
What does it take to build a career as a mobile engineer when AI is changing everything?
Pasha Mazurin shares how he went from Java backend engineer to Head of Mobile, why he only joins mobile-first companies, and how AI-assisted development brought the joy back to his work. This isn't theory, it's real lessons from 15+ years in the field and now learning Android at a senior level.
In this episode, we cover:
AI-assisted mobile development workflow (the four-window tmux setup)
Why mobile-first companies operate completely differently
Hiring for strengths, not lack of weaknesses (lessons from Uber)
Leading as a hands-on engineer who stays in the trenches
Why React Native doesn't feel native and when to go fully native
Whether you're building your mobile engineering career or figuring out how AI changes your workflow, this conversation offers practical perspectives on staying effective and making intentional career choices.
Connect with Pasha:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kovpas
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:13 - Using AI as Your Junior Engineer Teammate
00:02:33 - The Four-Window Tmux Setup for AI-Assisted Development
00:04:29 - Managing Multiple Features with Git Worktrees
00:05:52 - Why AI Makes You a Better Code Reviewer
00:08:07 - Setting Up Markdown Files for AI Context
00:11:54 - Small Teams vs Big Companies: Where Mobile Engineers Thrive
00:16:26 - The Mobile-First Company Filter That Shapes Every Career Move
00:18:31 - Being Nice: The Underrated Career Skill
00:20:29 - Pick Your Battles: When to Disagree and Commit
00:22:52 - Hire for Strengths, Not Lack of Weaknesses
00:25:16 - Is Software Engineering Still a Good Career Choice?
00:28:19 - How I Accidentally Became a Mobile Engineer
00:31:41 - Why I Only Work on Apps That Matter to People
00:35:08 - Joining Uber During the Big Mobile App Rewrite
00:39:12 - Leading Without Rank: Managing as a Hands-On Engineer
00:43:01 - How AI Changed Mobile Development in 12 Months
00:46:09 - The Communication Skills That Make or Break Engineers
00:49:59 - It's Okay to Say You Don't Understand
00:51:30 - Working on Payments: Building Critical App Infrastructure
00:53:25 - Why React Native Doesn't Feel Native (And What Works Better)
00:55:36 - Can You Switch Specializations Without Taking a Pay Cut?
00:57:02 - How Learning Android Brought the Joy Back
Worried about staying relevant as AI and new tools keep changing tech? The answer isn't chasing every new framework, it's treating your career like an engineering problem you can solve.
In this episode, we cover:
If you're an engineer who wants to take control of your career instead of letting it happen to you, this episode gives you the frameworks and tactics to do it.
Connect with Özgen Güngör:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozgengungor
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:46 - The Biggest Challenge for Tech Careers Today
00:01:33 - How to Stay Relevant in the Age of AI
00:03:46 - The Coming Commoditization of Coding
00:05:29 - How to Move Up the Value Stream as an Engineer
00:07:35 - Your First Tech Job is a Throwaway (And That's OK)
00:09:24 - The Power of Breaking Down Your Career Plan
00:11:44 - You Work 13% of Your Life: Why Intentionality Matters
00:13:56 - I Have Too Many Career Options. What Do I Do?
00:15:34 - The "5 Whys" Exercise for Your Career
00:19:38 - How to Get Your Manager to Be Your Ally
00:22:15 - The Truth About Big Tech's Broken Promotion Process
00:24:43 - The #1 Person Who Cares About Your Career
00:28:48 - Why You MUST Keep a "Brag Doc"
00:34:08 - How to Avoid Falling Behind in Promotions
00:37:33 - What is a Competency Framework?
00:40:34 - How to Map Out Your Own Career Ladder
00:44:35 - The Silent Factor That Kills Engineering Performance
00:48:31 - Your Career Transcends Your Company
00:52:40 - The 5-Year Plan That Changed My Career
00:56:18 - 3 Essential Tools for Total Career Management
#TechCareer #SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice
You asked, I answered. In this Q&A episode, I tackle the toughest career questions you submitted: from getting promoted when the process feels political, to negotiating salary, to leading projects as an IC.
In this episode, we cover:
* Holding peers accountable when you're not their manager
* Navigating promotions when the process is political or unclear
* Increasing your salary with strategic job offers
* Building real authority and getting noticed by leadership
* Staying relevant in the age of AI without burning out
This is for software engineers who want practical strategies to level up their careers, increase their earning potential, and make real impact without the fluff.
Join me at React Advanced and Tech Lead Conf in London:
https://ti.to/gitnation/react-advanced-london-2025/discount/CODING20
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:19 - Holding Peers Accountable When Managers Won't Help
00:03:58 - The Surprising Truth About Code "Quality"
00:05:43 - Scaling Accountability Across Large Teams
00:07:50 - When Climbing the Career Ladder Feels Political
00:12:37 - How to Stay Relevant in Tech Without Burning Out
00:14:49 - The Key to Learning Without Feeling Overwhelmed
00:15:18 - The Real Difference for Engineers Working Globally
00:17:44 - What to Do When You Get a Better Job Offer
00:20:51 - Finding Motivation Beyond a Higher Salary
00:21:41 - How to Build Real Credibility and Authority
00:25:31 - The Advice I'd Give My Junior Developer Self
00:29:05 - The Art of Effective Delegation
00:31:47 - Why Delegation Is Really an Act of Trust
00:32:21 - Team Player vs. Individual Star: A False Choice?
00:34:43 - The #1 Personal Development Skill for Engineers
00:37:11 - The Hidden Dangers of Relying on AI Tools
00:40:08 - Is Volunteering at Tech Conferences Worth It?
00:42:50 - My Personal Struggle with Embracing Change
00:45:32 - The Career "Regret" I Don't Actually Regret
00:46:45 - How to Stay Productive While Dealing with Grief
00:49:08 - My Process for Finding Great Podcast Guests
00:50:48 - The Secret to Making Guests Feel Comfortable
00:52:06 - How Podcasting Transformed My Communication Skills
00:53:35 - Handling Guarded or Difficult Podcast Guests
00:56:11 - Final Thoughts & How to Support the Channel
Got questions for the next Q&A? Drop them in the comments 👇
#SoftwareEngineering #CareerGrowth #TechLeadership
What's the real difference between a good software engineer and a truly great one? It’s more than just coding skill. It's a specific mindset, a disciplined approach to technology, and a deep understanding of core principles. This is the roadmap to leveling up your career.
In this conversation with Sander Mak, Director of Technology at Picnic, we discuss the methods they use to train world-class engineers.
You will learn:
The "under the hood" knowledge that truly matters.
Why great engineers often choose "boring," proven technology.
The critical transition from being a coder to a product-focused engineer.
The most common pitfall that holds good developers back.
If you're a software developer looking to move beyond "good enough" and achieve greatness in your craft, this is the episode for you.
Connect with Sander:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandermak
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:30 - Building Picnic's Tech Academy for New Engineers
00:04:37 - The Key Mindset of a Successful Junior Engineer
00:08:01 - A Look Inside the Engineering Training Curriculum
00:12:19 - The Common Pitfall of Copying Without Understanding
00:14:10 - How Deep "Under the Hood" Knowledge Should Go
00:17:41 - Why Great Engineers Value "Boring" Technology
00:21:44 - Improving Developer Experience and Team Productivity
00:30:02 - The Transition from Coder to Product Engineer
00:34:18 - Key Advice for Self-Taught Developers
00:35:41 - Using AI for Learning vs. for Code Generation
#SoftwareEngineering #DeveloperCareer #Coding
What if the standard 6-person software team is now obsolete? AI tooling isn't just a productivity booster; it's fundamentally blurring the lines between product and engineering, enabling smaller, more powerful teams to achieve what once took an entire department.
We're joined by Kate Ivanova, a Product Manager with years of experience building AI products at Big Tech companies, to discuss this tectonic shift. She explains why the traditional handoff between disciplines is breaking down and what the new, merged "product-engineer" role looks like.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why AI enables smaller teams to have a massive impact
- The merging roles of Product, Engineering, and Design
- What skills make you one of the indispensable "2 engineers"
- How to structure and manage a hyper-efficient, AI-native team
This is a must-watch for founders building lean companies, and for engineers and PMs who want to understand their evolving role in the age of AI.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:57 - Are Agile Processes Obsolete in the Age of AI?
00:02:46 - Why Product Managers Are Redefining Team Processes
00:04:35 - The Mindset You Need for AI Product Development
00:07:54 - How AI Is Forcing Product and Engineering Closer Together
00:11:26 - Using AI as Your Personal Feedback Co-Pilot
00:15:23 - The Critical Mistake to Avoid When Using AI for Product
00:20:45 - The Ideal AI Product Team Composition of the Future
00:26:10 - The New Expectations for Software Engineers in the AI Era
00:32:05 - A Better Way to Manage Tech Debt and Developer Happiness
00:34:46 - What Truly Makes Developers Happy at Work
00:37:43 - Co-Creating a Vision That Actually Motivates Your Team
00:40:59 - How to Receive Tough Feedback as a Growth Opportunity
00:45:37 - The Painful Decision to Kill a Failing Project
00:48:44 - The Most Important Skill for the AI Era
What if you could turn a weekend project into a core product feature at a major tech company? We sit down with Behrouz Pooladrak, a software engineer and hackathon legend at Booking.com, to uncover how these intense competitions can fast-track your skills, career, and impact. He shares the mindset and strategies that took his ideas from a one-day build to a real-world product used by millions.
In this episode, we cover:
How to treat your hackathon project like a mini-startup to guarantee success.
The surprising skills you gain from short-term projects that your daily job can't teach you.
How companies like Booking.com use hackathons to innovate and train new talent.
Why personal projects are the secret weapon for career growth.
This episode is for any software engineer looking to distinguish themselves, learn new technologies rapidly, and make a real impact in the tech industry.
Timestamps:
00:00:49 - The Mindset of a Prolific Builder
00:02:42 - How AI Helps You Build an MVP in One Day
00:06:26 - Why This Engineer is a Hackathon "Living Legend"
00:07:41 - From Hackathon Idea to Real AI Product
00:11:42 - The Secret to Winning: Treat it Like a Startup
00:17:22 - How Booking.com Onboards Juniors with a 4-Week Hackathon
00:20:25 - Why We Still Need Junior Engineers in the Age of AI
00:26:57 - The #1 Struggle Teams Face in Hackathons
00:31:04 - The Real Reason to Join a Hackathon (It’s Not the Prize)
00:35:46 - How to Start and Finish Your Personal Projects
00:40:12 - The Feedback Loop Between Your Job and Hobby Projects
#SoftwareEngineering #Hackathon #CareerGrowth
What if the biggest obstacles to AI innovation aren't what you think? Deeploy CEO Maarten Stolk shares his controversial but effective strategies for building successful AI products and ecosystems, challenging the common wisdom around bottom-up initiatives and regulation.
In this episode, we cover:
Why bottom-up initiatives fail without strong top-down vision.
The surprising benefits of the EU's AI Act for innovation.
How to build a thriving AI ecosystem from the ground up.
The single most important metric for AI observability.
This conversation is for tech leaders, founders, and engineers who want to move beyond AI experiments and build real-world, production-ready systems.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:45 - Why Maarten Started a Dutch AI Hub
00:02:15 - The "Flywheel" Effect Crucial for AI Success
00:04:42 - The Hard Truth: Why the Netherlands is Lagging in AI
00:07:52 - A Controversial Take: The EU AI Act is Actually Good for Everyone
00:11:26 - The Real Bottleneck to Innovation Isn't Regulation
00:14:25 - From POC to Production: Why Top-Down Vision is Non-Negotiable
00:17:13 - A Wake-Up Call for Inexperienced Leadership Teams
00:20:30 - How Winning Companies Use AI to Dominate Their Market
00:23:44 - The Right Way to Learn From Your Competitors
00:27:30 - Maarten Outsourced Core Development to an AI Company
00:31:59 - The #1 Metric You Must Track for AI Observability
00:36:03 - Open-Source vs. Closed-Source: Which AI Model Will Win?
00:40:23 - The Inevitable Crisis That Will Force Innovation
00:42:19 - The Power of Having a Long-Term Personal Vision
#AIStrategy #TechLeadership #Innovation
As a developer, you're trained to think in rows and tables. But what if that's the exact reason you're missing the most powerful connections in your data? There's a fundamental "Graph Problem" hiding in plain sight in almost every application, and once you see it, you'll wonder how you ever missed it.
In this episode, we reveal this "obvious" secret and show you how to leverage it to build smarter, more accurate, and context-aware AI.
In this episode/video, we cover:
This conversation is for any developer who feels their projects are hitting a wall. If you're ready for the "aha!" moment that will change how you look at data forever, this episode is for you.
Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:39 - From Unstructured Data to a Knowledge Graph00:02:00 - The Experiment: What Happens When You Break a Knowledge Graph?00:05:41 - What Are Ontologies in the Graph World?00:07:35 - The Graph Problem You Didn't Know You Had00:09:09 - Why Graphs Are So Good for GenAI Context00:10:10 - The Best Way to Create Vector Embeddings for Graphs00:12:50 - Using Graphs to Solve Extreme Corporate Complexity00:17:14 - Real-World Problems That Are Actually Graph Problems00:19:31 - How to Find The Right Expert in Your Company00:23:33 - The Rise of Federated RAG Agents00:25:31 - The #1 Reason Knowledge Graph Projects Fail00:29:37 - A Standard Query Language for Graphs (GQL)00:32:53 - Why Teams Are Moving From RAG to Graph RAG00:34:34 - Should Your Company Build Its Own AI Assistant?00:38:28 - The "Fear of Missing Out" Driving Bad AI Projects00:40:21 - The Dangers of Chaotic vs. Laser-Focused Company Priorities00:44:05 - Why Gantt Charts Don't Work for Software00:47:08 - How Top Engineers Actually Learn New Technologies
Guests on this podcast express their own views and do not represent their employers.
#GraphDatabase #KnowledgeGraph #SoftwareArchitecture
It takes just three seconds for AI to steal your voice and impersonate you in a way no one can detect. How can you protect yourself, your family, and your finances when seeing and hearing is no longer believing?
In this episode, deepfake expert Parya Lotfi reveals the shocking reality of AI-driven scams, from fraudulent bank transfers to fake kidnapping calls. We uncover how criminals operate and what you can do to spot the lies before it's too late.
In this episode/video, we cover:
- How criminals use 3-second voice clones for scams
- The shocking story of a North Korean deepfake spy
- Why facial and voice ID are no longer secure
- How to use AI to detect other AI fakes
This video is for anyone who wants to understand the real-world dangers of deepfake technology and learn actionable steps to protect themselves in our new "fake reality."
Connect with Parya:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paryalotfi
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:35 - The Scary Reality of AI-Generated Videos
00:02:32 - The Dangerous Side of Facial & Voice Biometrics
00:03:45 - The Disturbing Reality of Voice Cloning Scams
00:06:46 - How to Use AI to Catch AI-Generated Fakes
00:10:11 - Solving AI's "Black Box" Problem with Explainability
00:12:10 - The Different Types of Deepfakes Criminals Use
00:14:15 - How Deepfakes Are Used to Launder Millions From Banks
00:18:18 - Inside the Darknet's "Deepfake-as-a-Service" Business
00:22:32 - Why Banning Deepfake Technology Is Impossible
00:24:58 - How Deepfakes Are Being Weaponized in Global Conflicts
00:27:30 - Red Teaming: How to Think Like a Deepfake Criminal
00:29:09 - The North Korean Spy Who Used a Deepfake to Get a Job
00:31:54 - The Ultimate Goal: A Deepfake Detector for Everyone
00:37:23 - The Future That Scares Me: AGI and Self-Aware Robots
00:44:33 - The Journey of Building a Deepfake Detection Company
00:47:42 - The Surprising Reason Deepfake Detection Is So Hard
00:54:44 - Who Is Responsible When You Get Scammed by a Deepfake?
00:58:25 - The Rise of AI Influencers and Their Tragic Consequences
#Deepfake #Cybersecurity #ArtificialIntelligence
What does it take to build AI features at the scale of Microsoft Copilot?
Senior Product Manager Stéphanie Visser reveals the massive shifts in product development, from focusing on pixels to tokens and embracing a culture of rapid, data-driven experimentation.
Learn how the roles of PMs, engineers, and scientists are evolving and what it takes to succeed.
In this episode, we cover:
This episode is a must-watch for product managers, engineers, and tech leaders looking to adapt their processes for the age of AI and accelerate their delivery cycles.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - How Microsoft Builds AI Features
00:00:49 - The #1 Thing That Changed for Product Managers
01:28 - From Pixels to Tokens: The AI Product Shift
02:58 - Why AI Is All About Output Quality, Not UX
04:46 - When Is an AI Feature "Good Enough" to Ship?
06:45 - The "Non-Embarrassment Bar" for Releasing AI
09:07 - Why Old User Feedback Methods Don't Work for AI
12:28 - The New Expectations for Software Engineers in AI
15:33 - When to Involve Engineers in the Product Process
17:43 - How Microsoft Structures Its AI Product Teams
20:40 - Why 3-Month Planning Is Obsolete in the AI Era
22:42 - How to Remove Bias From Your Product Decisions
25:36 - Balancing Data vs. User Intuition in AI
27:44 - The Biggest Bottleneck in AI Experimentation
31:12 - How to Define the Right Metrics for Your AI Product
33:39 - Building Trust and Culture in a Remote Team
37:47 - The Most Underrated Skill for Product Managers
40:57 - How to Cultivate a Strong Product Culture
44:32 - The AI Tools a Microsoft PM Actually Uses
46:29 - How to Manage the Expanding Scope of the PM Role
Connect with Stéphanie Visser:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanievisser
Connect with Patrick Akil:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-akil
https://twitter.com/PatrickAkil_
Sponsors:
Xebia - https://xebia.com
#ProductManagement #AI #Microsoft
As AI accelerates development, many companies are halting junior hiring, believing AI tools can replace them. Shahin Shahkarami, Director of Data & AI at Ikea Retail, argues this is a massive mistake and that now is actually the best time to invest in new talent.
In this episode/video, we cover:
Why companies should hire junior talent despite the rise of AI.
How the role of a data scientist is evolving with generative AI.
The most valuable business use cases for AI beyond chatbots.
This conversation is for tech leaders, hiring managers, and aspiring developers looking to understand how to build and grow their careers in the age of AI.
Connect with Shahin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahin-shahkarami
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Why Now Is The Best Time to Hire Junior Talent
00:01:46 - The Massive Mistake Companies Make with AI Hiring
00:03:11 - How Junior Talent Can Stand Out in 2025
00:04:39 - Why Senior-Only Teams Can Become Negative
00:05:56 - The ROI Problem: What If Your Junior Talent Leaves?
00:07:44 - How Companies Can Actually Retain Top Talent
00:11:06 - How AI Has Changed Personal Productivity for Leaders
00:15:34 - How the Role of a Data Scientist Is Evolving
00:18:28 - The 80/20 Rule of Building AI Products
00:21:37 - The Rise of the "AI Engineer" and What It Means
00:23:37 - A Simple Strategy for Personal Growth in Tech
00:28:46 - Where Generative AI Delivers Real Business Value
00:32:37 - Why You Must Differentiate Your Business With AI Now
00:38:09 - A 2-Fold Strategy for Prioritizing AI Projects
00:40:41 - The Power of a 20% Experimentation Culture
00:43:10 - The Problem With Chatbots as a First AI Project
00:46:20 - The Danger of Releasing an 80% Good AI Product
#AI #TechCareers #DataScience
Feeling overwhelmed by the constant change in software engineering? After 25 years in the industry, CTO Joris Kuipers shares a pragmatic roadmap to not just survive, but achieve true mastery in your craft, whether you're a junior developer or a seasoned architect.
In this episode, we cover:
How to focus your learning when new technologies emerge daily
The ideal environments for junior and senior engineers to thrive
Why rapid, frequent deployment is SAFER than slow, careful releases
The critical feedback loops you must have to accelerate your career
How to move beyond rigid processes like Scrum to deliver real value
This is for any software engineer who wants to stop just "doing the work" and start building a deeply fulfilling and successful career by mastering their craft.
Connect with Joris:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkuipers
Full episode on YouTube ▶️
Beyond Coding Podcast with 🎙Patrick Akil
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - The #1 Thing That Gives a 25-Year CTO Energy
00:02:39 - How to Maintain Mastery When Tech Constantly Changes
00:05:30 - The Chicken-and-Egg Problem of Learning on the Job
00:08:49 - What Junior Developers Should Master First
00:11:39 - The Danger of Starting Your Career at a Small Startup
00:14:45 - How to Persuade Senior Engineers to Change Their Ways
00:17:33 - Why I Don't Want to Be a Full-Time Coder Anymore
00:20:14 - The Right Way to Ask Your Senior for Help
00:22:42 - Why We Stopped Doing Story Point Estimations
00:25:39 - The Problem with Managers Who Lack Technical Depth
00:29:26 - Why Integration is the Future of Software Engineering
00:33:11 - The Dark Side of Accessible Cloud Infrastructure
00:35:34 - Why You MUST See Your Code Running in Production
00:37:35 - Should Developers Be On-Call for Their Own Code?
00:41:38 - The Surprising Reason Faster Deployments Are Safer
00:45:57 - Why Small, Frequent Changes Reduce Your Risk
00:49:09 - How Your Environment Makes or Breaks Your Career
00:52:10 - The Good News: Learning Gets Easier Over Time