Dev Interrupted

Is your engineering team shipping more code but creating less business impact? We're joined by Chris Westerhold, Global Practice Director at ThoughtWorks, to confront why engineering waste is so difficult to define and eliminate. He explains that for many teams, the issue isn't a lack of tools but a lack of a clear 'North Star' to align their efforts with real business goals, diving into why so much well-intentioned work results in wasted effort and increased friction. Chris argues that most efficiency problems are rooted in people and processes, not technology, and why a 'systems thinking' approach is crucial for real improvement. He shares insights on balancing developer freedom with platform standardization and the leadership required to build a culture of continuous improvement. Learn why focusing on better outcomes—not just more code—is the key to unlocking your team's true potential. Check out: * The DevEx guide to AI-driven software development [https://linearb.io/resources/devex-guide-ai-driven-software-development?utm_source=Substack&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=devint-devex-guide-ai-driven-software-development&_gl=1*o8m87g*_gcl_au*MjEwMTU3MzA5OS4xNzQ1OTQzNjY2*_ga*NDYxNjAyMDUyLjE3MzAxNDczMDE.*_ga_GWV5YVQ3BH*czE3NDk1MjkxMzUkbzExNCRnMCR0MTc0OTUyOTEzNSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.] * Workshop: The AI upgrade to your SDLC [https://linearb.io/event/ai-code-reviews?utm_source=Substack&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=july-imc-ai-code-review] Follow the hosts: * Follow Ben [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlloydpearson/] * Follow Andrew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewzigler/] Follow today's guest(s): * LinkedIn: Chris Westerhold [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswesterhold/] * Learn more at ThoughtWorks.com [https://www.thoughtworks.com] Referenced in today's show: * Atlassian research: AI adoption is rising, but friction persists [https://www.atlassian.com/blog/developer/developer-experience-report-2025] * The New Skill in AI is Not Prompting, It's Context Engineering [https://www.philschmid.de/context-engineering] * Introducing pay per crawl: enabling content owners to charge AI crawlers for access [https://blog.cloudflare.com/introducing-pay-per-crawl/]  * Meta poached Apple’s head of foundation models with $200M offer - 9to5Mac [https://9to5mac.com/2025/07/09/meta-offered-apples-head-of-foundation-models-more-than-200m-to-jump-ship/]  * OpenAI Poaches 4 High-Ranking Engineers From Tesla, xAI, and Meta | WIRED  [https://www.wired.com/story/openai-new-hires-scaling/] Support the show: * Subscribe to our Substack [https://devinterrupted.substack.com/] * Leave us a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/devinterrupted] * Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/DevInterrupted] * Follow us on Twitter [https://twitter.com/DevInterrupted]or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dev-interrupted/] Offers: * Learn about Continuous Merge with gitStream [https://linearb.io/dev/gitstream/?utm_source=Dev%20Interrupted&utm_medium=referral%5B%E2%80%A6%5DgitStream%20-%20Referral%20-%20Dev%20Interrupted%20Show%20Notes] * Get your DORA Metrics free forever [https://linearb.io/resources/free-dora-waitlist]

You've bought the AI tools, but are you seeing the promised productivity gains?  Join Dev Interrupted hosts Dan Lines and Ben Lloyd Pearson, as they break down the fundamental shift from AI coding assistants to intelligent, agentic systems. They discuss the key findings from their new guide, "The Six Trends Shaping the Future of AI-Driven Development," and challenge the common misconception that simply buying tools guarantees success by explaining why sustainable AI transformation depends less on better prompting and more on building better systems. Dan and Ben reveal the foundational pillars required for AI adoption, from creating unified knowledge sources to modernizing your infrastructure for agentic workflows. Learn why the future lies in moving from isolated tools to fully orchestrated systems where AI agents can reason and operate across the entire software delivery lifecycle. This episode offers a strategic playbook for engineering leaders aiming to build a successful and sustainable AI strategy for 2025 and beyond. Check out: * Download: The 6 trends shaping the future of AI-driven development  [https://linearb.io/resources/the-6-trends-shaping-ai-driven-development] * Workshop: The AI upgrade to your SDLC [https://linearb.io/event/ai-code-reviews?utm_source=Substack&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=july-imc-ai-code-review] Follow the hosts: * Follow Ben [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlloydpearson/] * Follow Andrew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewzigler/] * Follow Dan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-lines/] Referenced in today's show: * The Engineering Leadership Report 2025 [https://leaddev.com/the-engineering-leadership-report-2025?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email] * MCP: An (Accidentally) Universal Plugin System [https://worksonmymachine.substack.com/p/mcp-an-accidentally-universal-plugin] * OpenAI Leadership Responds to Meta Offers: ‘Someone Has Broken Into Our Home’ [https://www.wired.com/story/openai-meta-leadership-talent-rivalry/] * Grammarly to acquire email startup Superhuman in AI platform push [https://www.reuters.com/business/grammarly-acquires-email-startup-superhuman-ai-platform-push-2025-07-01/] Support the show: * Subscribe to our Substack [https://devinterrupted.substack.com/] * Leave us a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/devinterrupted] * Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/DevInterrupted] * Follow us on Twitter [https://twitter.com/DevInterrupted]or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dev-interrupted/] Offers: * Learn about Continuous Merge with gitStream [https://linearb.io/dev/gitstream/?utm_source=Dev%20Interrupted&utm_medium=referral%5B%E2%80%A6%5DgitStream%20-%20Referral%20-%20Dev%20Interrupted%20Show%20Notes] * Get your DORA Metrics free forever [https://linearb.io/resources/free-dora-waitlist]

If you're still building products only for humans, you're already missing out on a massive new customer base: AI agents.  Joining Dev Interrupted is Andrew Hamilton, co-founder and CTO of Layer (a first-of-it’s kind MCP agency) to unravel this monumental shift in how products will be discovered and consumed. He dives into how AI agents are rapidly evolving from developer tools to direct consumers of APIs and products, with new standards like the MCP spearheading this transformation by effectively creating an "app store for LLMs." This evolution demands a complete rethink of product design, packaging, and user experience for an entirely new kind of user. Andrew educates us about how successfully leveraging MCP isn't about a simple one-to-one API mapping, but about thoughtfully designing an "agent experience" based on key user workflows and providing pre-packaged capabilities. He shares insights on identifying good MCP candidates, the importance of experimentation in this fast-moving space, and how tools like Layer are defining the frontier of agent-accessible tooling. Check out: * The DevEx guide to AI-driven software development [https://linearb.io/resources/devex-guide-ai-driven-software-development?utm_source=Substack&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=devint-devex-guide-ai-driven-software-development&_gl=1*o8m87g*_gcl_au*MjEwMTU3MzA5OS4xNzQ1OTQzNjY2*_ga*NDYxNjAyMDUyLjE3MzAxNDczMDE.*_ga_GWV5YVQ3BH*czE3NDk1MjkxMzUkbzExNCRnMCR0MTc0OTUyOTEzNSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.] * Download: The 6 trends shaping the future of AI-driven development  [https://linearb.io/resources/the-6-trends-shaping-ai-driven-development] Follow the hosts: * Follow Ben [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlloydpearson/] * Follow Andrew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewzigler/] Follow today's guest(s): * LinkedIn: Andrew Hamilton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-p-hamilton/] * Learn more about Layer: buildwithlayer.com [http://buildwithlayer.com] Referenced in today's show: * Google Cloud donates A2A to Linux Foundation [https://developers.googleblog.com/en/google-cloud-donates-a2a-to-linux-foundation/?] * Gemini CLI: your open-source AI agent [https://blog.google/technology/developers/introducing-gemini-cli-open-source-ai-agent/]  * Meta poaches OpenAI researchers [https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/meta-poaches-openai-researchers-6446340/] * Airtable as the AI-native app [https://www.airtable.com/platform/app-building] Support the show: * Subscribe to our Substack [https://devinterrupted.substack.com/] * Leave us a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/devinterrupted] * Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/DevInterrupted] * Follow us on Twitter [https://twitter.com/DevInterrupted]or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dev-interrupted/] Offers: * Learn about Continuous Merge with gitStream [https://linearb.io/dev/gitstream/?utm_source=Dev%20Interrupted&utm_medium=referral%5B%E2%80%A6%5DgitStream%20-%20Referral%20-%20Dev%20Interrupted%20Show%20Notes] * Get your DORA Metrics free forever [https://linearb.io/resources/free-dora-waitlist]

What if creating a professional video for your business was as simple as a single click? We're joined by Kabir Bedi, Head of Product for Image and Video Generation at Amazon Ads, to discuss how generative AI is making that a reality. He provides an inside look at Amazon's mission to democratize video advertising, empowering everyone from mom-and-pop shops to large enterprises with their innovative video generator that evolved from simply showing products to showcasing them in realistic, multi-scene lifestyle settings. Kabir shares key insights into the engineering culture that powers this innovation, built on deep customer obsession and a dynamic, experimental mindset. He explains why bringing the entire team—including engineers and scientists—into direct conversations with users was a game-changer for their development process. Plus, listen as Kabir explains why a "learn and be curious" mindset is the key to thriving in this new landscape of AI-driven product development. Check out: * The DevEx guide to AI-driven software development [https://linearb.io/resources/devex-guide-ai-driven-software-development?utm_source=Substack&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=devint-devex-guide-ai-driven-software-development&_gl=1*o8m87g*_gcl_au*MjEwMTU3MzA5OS4xNzQ1OTQzNjY2*_ga*NDYxNjAyMDUyLjE3MzAxNDczMDE.*_ga_GWV5YVQ3BH*czE3NDk1MjkxMzUkbzExNCRnMCR0MTc0OTUyOTEzNSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.] * Download: The 6 trends shaping the future of AI-driven development  [https://linearb.io/resources/the-6-trends-shaping-ai-driven-development] Follow the hosts: * Follow Ben [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlloydpearson/] * Follow Andrew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewzigler/] Follow today's guest(s): * Follow Kabir on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kabir-s-bedi/] * Learn more on the About Amazon Blog [https://www.aboutamazon.com/news] and the Amazon Ads Blog [https://advertising.amazon.com/resources/whats-new] Referenced in today's show: * Meta's $100M poaching project [https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/metas-100m-poaching-project-6450348/] * “Real strength is not in poaching rather it’s in growing, retaining and respecting the people you already have.” -Mohit Malik [https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mohit-malik-597a981b_sam-altman-says-meta-offered-100-million-activity-7340947606006624257-COmY?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABRL6dYBi0drcQn69hKlYgnjWCfATElr4LM] * “Localhost tracking” explained. It could cost Meta 32 billion. [https://www.zeropartydata.es/p/localhost-tracking-explained-it-could] * Cursor’s Bold Hiring Playbook: No AI in Interviews, Just Real Projects and Real People [https://www.thebridgechronicle.com/jobs/cursor-hiring-strategy-no-ai-interviews-two-day-project] * Writing Toy Software Is A Joy [https://www.jsbarretto.com/blog/software-is-joy/] * https://www.apollographql.com/resources/api-orchestration-where-developer-agility-meets-business-impact Support the show: * Subscribe to our Substack [https://devinterrupted.substack.com/] * Leave us a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/devinterrupted] * Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/DevInterrupted] * Follow us on Twitter [https://twitter.com/DevInterrupted]or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dev-interrupted/] Offers: * Learn about Continuous Merge with gitStream [https://linearb.io/dev/gitstream/?utm_source=Dev%20Interrupted&utm_medium=referral%5B%E2%80%A6%5DgitStream%20-%20Referral%20-%20Dev%20Interrupted%20Show%20Notes] * Get your DORA Metrics free forever [https://linearb.io/resources/free-dora-waitlist]

What if the traditional engineering career path is being fundamentally rewritten by AI?  We're joined by Philipp Schmid, Senior AI Developer Relations Engineer at Google DeepMind, to explore how artificial intelligence is not just a tool, but a force reshaping engineering roles, team dynamics, and the foundational methods of skill development. Philipp, with his background at Hugging Face and now at the cutting edge with Google DeepMind, offers a unique perspective on the rise of AI-native teams and engineers who learn faster, work more broadly, and drive innovation at an unprecedented scale. Philipp offers an inside look at Google DeepMind's engine of AI innovation and breaks down the key differences between Google's flagship Gemini models and the versatile Gemma family of open models, detailing their distinct purposes.We also touch upon exciting takeaways from the recent Google I/O event, including powerful new on-device capabilities and the mind-blowing text-to-video generation with Veo. Finally, Philipp shares practical advice for engineers and their organizations on navigating this AI-driven landscape, emphasizing continuous learning, an adaptable mindset, and how to effectively leverage a diverse AI toolkit to thrive. Check out: * Download: The 6 trends shaping the future of AI-driven development  [https://linearb.io/resources/the-6-trends-shaping-ai-driven-development] Follow the hosts: * Follow Ben [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlloydpearson/] * Follow Andrew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewzigler/] Follow today's guest: * Twitter: @philschmid [https://x.com/_philschmid] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-schmid-a6a2bb196/?originalSubdomain=de] * GitHub (philschmid) [https://github.com/philschmid] * Learn more about Google DeepMind's models: Google AI Studio [https://aistudio.google.com/] Referenced in today's show: * OpenAI's latest partner: Mattel | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/openais-latest-partner-mattel-7422826/]  * I Read All Of Cloudflare's Claude-Generated Commits [https://www.maxemitchell.com/writings/i-read-all-of-cloudflares-claude-generated-commits/]  * AI coding assistants aren’t really making devs feel more productive - LeadDev [https://leaddev.com/velocity/ai-coding-assistants-arent-really-making-devs-feel-more-productive]  * Congratulations on creating the one billionth repository on GitHub [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44252076] Support the show: * Subscribe to our Substack [https://devinterrupted.substack.com/] * Leave us a review [https://ratethispodcast.com/devinterrupted] * Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/DevInterrupted] * Follow us on Twitter [https://twitter.com/DevInterrupted]or LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dev-interrupted/] Offers: * Learn about Continuous Merge with gitStream [https://linearb.io/dev/gitstream/?utm_source=Dev%20Interrupted&utm_medium=referral%5B%E2%80%A6%5DgitStream%20-%20Referral%20-%20Dev%20Interrupted%20Show%20Notes] * Get your DORA Metrics free forever [https://linearb.io/resources/free-dora-waitlist]