Coding with AI: A Take on the Future of Software Development (feat. Mike Rispoli)
A deep dive on how AI is reshaping software development. From agentic coding tools like Cursor and Zed to building production-ready features faster, real-world insights from a hands-on CTO.
In this podcast episode, Krish Palaniappan and Mike Rispoli, CTO of Cause of a Kind, discuss the transformative impact of AI on software development. They explore how AI tools have evolved, the balance between human intellect and AI capabilities, and the changing dynamics of development teams. The conversation emphasizes the importance of problem-solving skills over specific programming languages and the future of software engineering in an AI-driven world.
Mike discusses the evolving landscape of software development in the age of AI. He emphasizes the increasing importance of soft skills, communication, and adaptability in hiring practices. The discussion covers the diminishing emphasis on traditional qualifications like college degrees, the changing dynamics of team composition, and the impact of AI on code quality and developer roles. Mike also shares insights on the future of software engineering, the role of consulting, and the necessity for developers to embrace new technologies and methodologies.
Takeaways
AI is significantly changing the landscape of software development.
Hands-on experience with AI tools can enhance productivity.
The balance between human intellect and AI is crucial in development.
Legacy apps present unique challenges compared to greenfield projects.
Smaller teams can achieve more with the help of AI.
Problem-solving skills are more important than specific programming languages.
AI can help developers become more specialized in their roles.
The bar for defensible products has been raised due to AI.
Learning programming languages remains important for understanding core concepts.
The future of software engineering will involve more collaboration between humans and AI. The role of developers is evolving with AI integration.
Soft skills are increasingly important in tech hiring.
College degrees are becoming less critical in hiring decisions.
AI is changing the skills required for developers.
Communication skills are essential for effective collaboration.
Outsourcing dynamics are shifting due to AI capabilities.
Team compositions are becoming more hybrid and versatile.
Code quality standards are changing with AI assistance.
New graduates should focus on adaptability and soft skills.
Consulting will remain relevant but may shift towards smaller agencies.
Podcast
Summary
1. Intro & Context Setting
Mike shares a brief overview of his background and role as CTO at Cause of a Kind.
Krish outlines the AI podcast series vision and sets this episode as the kickoff.
2. AI’s Impact on Development Workflows
Mike reflects on skepticism during the Web3 hype and how that shaped his initial AI hesitation.
Shift in perception as AI tools (notably Claude, Cursor, and Zed) improve significantly.
Describes how he no longer codes traditionally, instead relying on agentic AI editing.
3. Comparing Developer Tools: Cursor vs. Zed
Zed: Rust-based, faster editor, now features Claude-powered agentic editing.
Cursor: Built on VS Code, allows contextual editing and codebase-aware AI support.
Mike shares real-world testing experiences, especially with complex legacy code.
4. Challenges with Agentic Coding
Mike discusses the trade-offs in trusting AI with coding decisions.
Frustrations with prompting and over-reliance on AI for problem solving.
Philosophical questions: When should developers think vs. delegate to AI?
5. Greenfield vs. Legacy Code in the Age of AI
Debate on which environments benefit more from AI: new projects or mature codebases.
Mike believes legacy apps may offer better training context for AI, contradicting popular opinion.
6. Developers vs. Non-Developers: Who Benefits More?
AI empowers non-developers to build prototypes, but limits emerge due to lack of foundational knowledge.
Developers gain 3–10x productivity due to reduced friction in mundane tasks.
Bar for defensible products has risen as prototyping becomes easier.
7. AI’s Role in Scaling Small Teams
Teams of one or two can now handle what used to take larger teams.
Personal experiences of running multiple projects in parallel with minimal staffing.
AI agents manage CI/CD, create staging environments, and execute tickets.
8. The Solo Unicorn Possibility
Reflection on the notion that a single person could now build a billion-dollar company.
Discussion of real-world constraints: product defensibility, idea complexity, and user needs.
9. AI Won’t Replace Programming Education
Learning code still essential—AI is a powerful tool, not a replacement for foundational knowledge.
Coding helps users better prompt and understand AI-generated output.
10. Closing Thoughts: The Evolving Developer Landscape
Software development is becoming more accessible to diverse thinkers.
The role of the engineer is shifting: more focus on architecture, strategy, and outcomes.
Final reflections on how the bar for success is rising—fewer people, deeper skill sets, better tools.
