AI is reshaping how we work, learn, and create. In our latest Outside Insights fireside chat, Jeff Casimir, Executive Director of Turing School of Software and Design, sat down with Greg Baugues to talk about the reality of AI in software development, the misconceptions even technical people have, and how AI is becoming an essential tool for the future of coding. The following is a brief recap
AI in Software Development: Where Are We Now?
Many people associate Gen AI with problem solving and simple text manipulation—like summarizing documents or writing cover letters—however, the real power of AI goes far beyond that. During the chat, Greg shared some of the most interesting AI use cases he’s explored, including:
LLMs as non-judgmental coding tutors – AI tools like Claude and Cursor help developers onboard faster, understand complex codebases, and debug issues.
AI-assisted productivity boosts – Developers leveraging AI effectively could see 2x or even 10x improvements in their efficiency.
Tool orchestration and automation – AI is enabling workflows that previously required manual intervention, changing how software is built and maintained.
💡 Want to explore AI-powered tools? Here are the technologies discussed:
Superwhisper – An advanced AI-powered voice transcription tool.
Cursor – An AI-powered code editor that enhances developer productivity.
Claude – A cutting-edge AI assistant for coding, research, and more.
The timestamp to watch a demo of Greg using AI-powered tools to build a Game of Life implementation is 17:30 in the Outside Insight video below.
What’s Next for AI in Software?
It’s clear that nearly every software product will incorporate AI in some way. But what does that mean for developers? Greg shares that you can ask ChatGPT to write you a poem and the poem is awesome, but that is because he isn't a poet. When you review a response that you're a expert in you find that the responses can fall short.
“AI demos tend to be very impressive especially if it's in an area you're not an expert in, and then when you try to adopt it you'll typically find that it falls short or that it does the first 80% really well. Then the last 20% you end up spending 3x more time on trying to get the last 20% than if you had just done it the old fashioned way.”
AI isn’t replacing developers—it’s becoming a critical tool for them. Developers who embrace AI today will have a competitive edge in the job market over the next few years.
Mental Health in Tech: Why Openness Matters
Greg was one of the first people in web development to openly discuss mental health challenges, including bipolar disorder and depression. He emphasized how the conversation has evolved and how important it is for tech professionals to support one another.
In our breakout discussion, we explored questions like:
Should developers be more open about mental health at work?
What are the best onboarding experiences you’ve had with dev tools?
Have you used LLMs in your workflow? What are you learning?
Key Takeaways and Career Advice
For those just starting in tech, Greg’s advice is clear:
“People who say ‘AI is going to replace all the developers’ just haven’t used the tools.”
Instead of fearing AI, learn to leverage it. Experiment, build prototypes, and take advantage of the many free tools available for students and aspiring developers.
Whether you're a junior dev, a career switcher, or an experienced engineer, AI is here to stay—and those who adapt will thrive.
Watch the Full Conversation
📺 Catch the full session here:Outside Insights with Greg Baugues
Connect with Greg Baugues
🌐 Website
🎥 YouTube
💼 LinkedIn
Big thanks to Jeff for hosting this insightful chat. Want to join the conversation? If you're interested in speaking at or joining a future session, reach out!
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