What happens to software engineering when developers stop writing code and start directing, evaluating and correcting AI?
In this episode, Georgia and Matt are joined by Annie Vella, former Distinguished Engineer at Westpac New Zealand, to explore how AI coding tools are reshaping software engineering.
Drawing on her research into AI-assisted development, Annie introduces the idea of “supervisory engineering”: the growing work of directing AI, evaluating its output, correcting mistakes and integrating generated code into complex systems.
They explore:
• The hidden cognitive load behind AI-generated code
• Why code review is becoming a major bottleneck
• What accountability means when engineers approve code they didn’t write
• Whether we’re automating the craft and enjoyment out of software development
• Why foundational engineering skills matter more than ever
• What the next generation of developers should be learning
• How small teams can capitalize on AI without losing essential human capabilities
It’s a conversation about the future of software development, but also about something much bigger: what happens to human judgment, learning and pride when more of our thinking is delegated to machines?
