The Biggest Mistake Developers Are Making With AI

AI is changing software engineering faster than any technology shift in recent memory. I sat down with GitHub executives Martin Woodward and Cassidy Williams to discuss what they’re seeing from millions of developers using AI, what skills matter most going forward, and how engineers can stay relevant in the age of AI.

1/ AI is not replacing engineers. It’s changing what engineers do.

The value of engineers is shifting from writing code to making decisions, defining requirements, and exercising judgment.

2/ AI is best at implementation, not decision-making.

AI can generate code quickly, but developers still need to decide what should be built, how it should work, and whether the output is actually good.

3/ Planning is becoming more important than coding.

As AI handles more implementation, engineers are spending more time creating specifications, researching options, and defining problems clearly.

4/ Human judgment remains a competitive advantage.

The engineers who get the most value from AI are not blindly accepting outputs. They’re applying taste, context, and critical thinking.

5/ Strong opinions make AI more useful.

AI performs best when given clear direction and constraints. Engineers who know what they want can use AI far more effectively than those who don’t.

6/ Creativity matters more than ever.

When implementation becomes easier, the differentiator shifts to ideas, imagination, and identifying problems worth solving.

7/ The best engineers know when not to use AI.

Future success isn’t about delegating everything. It’s about understanding when to rely on AI and when to think through problems yourself.

8/ Future-proofing means learning continuously.

The engineers who thrive aren’t waiting for stability. They’re experimenting, staying curious, and adapting as new tools emerge.

9/ More software, not fewer engineers.

Historically, every time software development becomes easier, more people build software. AI is likely to expand who can create software rather than eliminate the need for developers.

0:00 Trailer

1:24 What developer advocacy?

3:55 Is AI making software engineers less valuable?

6:38 What GitHub has learned from millions of Copilot users

7:38 Which tasks developers should delegate to AI?

12:29 How engineers can future-proof their careers

14:48 What separates engineers thriving with AI?

16:56 How AI compares to cloud, mobile, and previous tech shifts?

18:31 Rapid fire

20:55 Will AI replace Software Engineers?

Martin Woodward is Vice President of Developer Relations at GitHub, where he leads the teams responsible for developer advocacy, community programs, and engagement with millions of developers worldwide. Before joining GitHub, Martin spent more than 13 years at Microsoft, where he played a key role in the company’s transition toward open source, helped introduce Git across Microsoft, contributed to the creation of the .NET Foundation, and was involved in the GitHub acquisition. With nearly three decades in software engineering, developer tools, and open source, Martin brings a unique perspective on how AI, open ecosystems, and developer communities are reshaping the future of software development.

Cassidy Williams is Senior Director of Developer Advocacy at GitHub, where she helps developers build better software and engage with the open source community. Over the course of her career, Cassidy has been a software engineer, startup CTO, developer advocate, educator, advisor, investor, and podcast host. She has held roles at companies including GitHub, Netlify, Amazon, CodePen, Clarifai, and Venmo, and is widely recognized as one of the most influential voices in developer education and developer experience. Through her technical content, speaking engagements, and community work, Cassidy helps developers navigate emerging technologies, AI-assisted development, and the changing landscape of software engineering.

Should You Still Become a Software Engineer in 2026? GitHub VP

Should You Become an AI Engineer?

Don’t choose the Wrong AI Career in 2026 [Tier List]

The Highest Paying Jobs In The Age of AI

WTF Is Happening to Remote Jobs in Tech?

I’m Jean, an ex-WhatsApp early engineer and Meta manager with over 20 years in tech. I was an early engineer at WhatsApp before its $19B acquisition by Meta, then led engineering teams at Meta, where I experienced firsthand how technology evolves and shapes the world.
Now, I’m on a mission to break down how AI is changing our careers, industries, and the future of work. AI will transform how we work, learn, and live, and many are overwhelmed by what this means, especially those without access or context.
No hype. No jargon. Just real-world insights for navigating AI and what’s next.

💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanklee/
🌸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanexplains/
I give advice for navigating your engineering career journey successfully.