A golden age of software engineering with Russell Kaplan, Founding President of Cognition

Orbit - An Hg software leadership podcast

What happens when AI can code? In this illuminating conversation with Cognition's Founding President Russell Kaplan, we explore how AI is fundamentally transforming the landscape of software development. Drawing from his journey through Tesla's Autopilot team and Scale AI, Kaplan shares profound insights on leadership in rapid technological change, emphasizing that "talent is everything" and that exceptional outcomes come from "small teams of highly technical people." His perspective challenges conventional thinking about software engineering's future, suggesting we're entering an era of "software abundance" where customer expectations will rise dramatically. The discussion moves beyond theoretical AI potential to practical implementation, with Kaplan revealing how his philosophy of speed as strategy guides decision-making in a world where AI capabilities in software development are doubling every 70 days. Rather than fearing job displacement, Kaplan envisions a future where "way more people are shaping the creation of software" as the nature of engineering evolves. With refreshing optimism, he suggests we're approaching a time when "software is good by default" and shares his excitement for what may be "the most exciting time to be a software engineer" in history.