Interviewee
AI will transform how we build software. We’ll move from developers writing everything from scratch to developers orchestrating AI systems that generate, test, and optimize code. I believe the developer’s role will shift toward creativity, problem framing, and oversight essentially becoming “AI engineers of engineers."
AI will transform how we build software. We’ll move from developers writing everything from scratch to developers orchestrating AI systems that generate, test, and optimize code. I believe the developer’s role will shift toward creativity, problem framing, and oversight essentially becoming “AI engineers of engineers."
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Interviewer
How can developers best balance the need to build stable, practical applications today with the desire to experiment with and learn cutting-edge, but often unstable, AI technologies?
How can developers best balance the need to build stable, practical applications today with the desire to experiment with and learn cutting-edge, but often unstable, AI technologies?
Interviewee
It’s all about context. For production systems that impact real users, stability and trust must come first. But setting aside time in safe environments hackathons, internal labs, side projects allows us to explore the cutting edge without risking reliability. That balance keeps you innovative while staying grounded. Don’t waste time by over-learning; learn when it’s needed as you work on projects.
It’s all about context. For production systems that impact real users, stability and trust must come first. But setting aside time in safe environments hackathons, internal labs, side projects allows us to explore the cutting edge without risking reliability. That balance keeps you innovative while staying grounded. Don’t waste time by over-learning; learn when it’s needed as you work on projects.
Interviewer
We have many future software engineers here. You completed a 5 year Software Engineering program. What was the most valuable thing you learned both technically & socially?
We have many future software engineers here. You completed a 5 year Software Engineering program. What was the most valuable thing you learned both technically & socially?
Interviewee
Technically, the most valuable lesson was thinking algorithmically and breaking problems into manageable pieces. Socially, the key lesson was collaboration learning to work with people from different backgrounds. Big projects are never built alone. Your connection to people is as important as your skill. Try to reach out via email, LinkedIn, and other channels to people you admire and want to learn from. Always seek to connect with people who energize you. I've gotten into a job because of an email that I sent more than 1 and a half years ago and connected. After 10 months there was a job, and that person recommended me, and what I want to say is that you should reach out to people and join communities, which will push you further every day.
Technically, the most valuable lesson was thinking algorithmically and breaking problems into manageable pieces. Socially, the key lesson was collaboration learning to work with people from different backgrounds. Big projects are never built alone. Your connection to people is as important as your skill. Try to reach out via email, LinkedIn, and other channels to people you admire and want to learn from. Always seek to connect with people who energize you. I've gotten into a job because of an email that I sent more than 1 and a half years ago and connected. After 10 months there was a job, and that person recommended me, and what I want to say is that you should reach out to people and join communities, which will push you further every day.
Interviewer
Your final year project, DotCode, was recognized as the Best Project of the Year at BIT. You built it together with Miki and some of your friends. Could you tell us a bit about what it does and what made it stand out?
Your final year project, DotCode, was recognized as the Best Project of the Year at BIT. You built it together with Miki and some of your friends. Could you tell us a bit about what it does and what made it stand out?
Interviewee
DotCode was designed as a developer tool with real-time collaboration, AI-assisted debugging, and snippet versioning. It also includes a VS Code extension to bring all features into VS Code. I contributed to the backend, focusing on AI features like inline chat, auto-completion, and bug fixes, and we simulated cursor behavior and add them in the project. It was rewarding to collaborate with curious friends like Simachew, a tech enthusiast who contributed to the frontend, backend, and other components of the project. I also collaborated with Miki, who applied his expertise, and Tsegish, who worked on the frontend of the editor and application.
DotCode was designed as a developer tool with real-time collaboration, AI-assisted debugging, and snippet versioning. It also includes a VS Code extension to bring all features into VS Code. I contributed to the backend, focusing on AI features like inline chat, auto-completion, and bug fixes, and we simulated cursor behavior and add them in the project. It was rewarding to collaborate with curious friends like Simachew, a tech enthusiast who contributed to the frontend, backend, and other components of the project. I also collaborated with Miki, who applied his expertise, and Tsegish, who worked on the frontend of the editor and application.
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Interviewer
Based on your experience, what advice would you give to a freshman who is unsure about which department to choose? What factors should they consider beyond just 'what is popular?
Based on your experience, what advice would you give to a freshman who is unsure about which department to choose? What factors should they consider beyond just 'what is popular?
Interviewee
Don’t just follow trends or what seems popular. Instead, think about what excites you enough to stay up late working on it even without grades or money. Consider the skills you want to develop, the kinds of problems you enjoy solving, and the impact you’d like to make.
Don’t just follow trends or what seems popular. Instead, think about what excites you enough to stay up late working on it even without grades or money. Consider the skills you want to develop, the kinds of problems you enjoy solving, and the impact you’d like to make.
Interviewer
For any juniors considering BIT for Software Engineering, what would you tell them?
For any juniors considering BIT for Software Engineering, what would you tell them?
Interviewee
Software engineering helps you understand what happens behind the scenes, not just coding without internal context. But earning a degree doesn’t automatically make you qualified. It’s up to your effort to connect with good teams and build meaningful things. Think deeply, build projects, and push beyond your comfort zone. Embrace the workload discipline will set you apart in your career.
Software engineering helps you understand what happens behind the scenes, not just coding without internal context. But earning a degree doesn’t automatically make you qualified. It’s up to your effort to connect with good teams and build meaningful things. Think deeply, build projects, and push beyond your comfort zone. Embrace the workload discipline will set you apart in your career.
Interviewer
In your view, what is the single biggest challenge holding back developers in Africa today, and what is one concrete thing we can do to overcome it?
In your view, what is the single biggest challenge holding back developers in Africa today, and what is one concrete thing we can do to overcome it?
Interviewee
I don’t think there’s a big insurmountable challenge right now. If you have internet access, you have tools to contribute and make an impact. Beka, creator of Better Auth, developed Better Auth inside his room, and now a global authentication library can be an example for us that everything is possible if you put all your energies into it. One concrete solution is to build stronger communities and accelerators within Africa and globally, such as A2SV, Developer Community groups, and ALX, which bridge gaps and open global doors.
I don’t think there’s a big insurmountable challenge right now. If you have internet access, you have tools to contribute and make an impact. Beka, creator of Better Auth, developed Better Auth inside his room, and now a global authentication library can be an example for us that everything is possible if you put all your energies into it. One concrete solution is to build stronger communities and accelerators within Africa and globally, such as A2SV, Developer Community groups, and ALX, which bridge gaps and open global doors.
Interviewer
If you could go back in time to your first day as a developer, what advice would you give yourself?
If you could go back in time to your first day as a developer, what advice would you give yourself?
Interviewee
I’d tell myself not to fear failure. Every setback is a lesson in disguise, and the faster you learn that, the quicker you grow. I’d also remind myself to start contributing to open source earlier it accelerates both skill and confidence.
I’d tell myself not to fear failure. Every setback is a lesson in disguise, and the faster you learn that, the quicker you grow. I’d also remind myself to start contributing to open source earlier it accelerates both skill and confidence.
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Interviewer
Is there anything you regret not doing earlier in your career? Or conversely, something you're incredibly glad you did?
Is there anything you regret not doing earlier in your career? Or conversely, something you're incredibly glad you did?
Interviewee
I sometimes wish I had started building public projects and contributing to the developer community earlier, instead of focusing more on classwork for GPA for my first 2 years of campus life. On the flip side, I’m incredibly glad I joined programs like A2SV, ALX, and residency programs they shaped my career and connected me with people who pushed me to level up.
I sometimes wish I had started building public projects and contributing to the developer community earlier, instead of focusing more on classwork for GPA for my first 2 years of campus life. On the flip side, I’m incredibly glad I joined programs like A2SV, ALX, and residency programs they shaped my career and connected me with people who pushed me to level up.
Interviewer
That's all from our list Is there anything we didn't ask about that you're passionate about and would like to share with the audience?
That's all from our list Is there anything we didn't ask about that you're passionate about and would like to share with the audience?
Interviewee
Technology is a tool for empowerment, and anyone can start, no matter where they’re from or what stage they’re in. Some begin in childhood, some during university, and some after graduation; what matters is loving the work and putting your energy into it.
Technology is a tool for empowerment, and anyone can start, no matter where they’re from or what stage they’re in. Some begin in childhood, some during university, and some after graduation; what matters is loving the work and putting your energy into it.
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Thank you, Dave!
We truly appreciate your time and openness in sharing your journey with us and our audience. Today’s session was full of insights, experiences, and valuable lessons we can all learn from. 🙌
💬 If you have any questions for Dave or for us, feel free to drop them in the comments we’d love to hear from you.
🎙 Stay tuned for our next session, where we’ll be joined by another inspiring guest. Until then, we wish you a wonderful evening and a bright, productive week ahead.
👋 Bye for now.
We truly appreciate your time and openness in sharing your journey with us and our audience. Today’s session was full of insights, experiences, and valuable lessons we can all learn from. 🙌
💬 If you have any questions for Dave or for us, feel free to drop them in the comments we’d love to hear from you.
🎙 Stay tuned for our next session, where we’ll be joined by another inspiring guest. Until then, we wish you a wonderful evening and a bright, productive week ahead.
👋 Bye for now.
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🌟 Top 5 AI Tools for Devs in 2025 🌟
Hey @Codebiruh crew! 👋 Level up your coding game with these 5 AI tools in 2025. Short, sweet, and powerful perfect for devs who want to ship faster! 🚀
1. GitHub Copilot
AI sidekick for instant code suggestions. Saves 50% coding time.
github.com/features/copilot
2. Cursor
AI-powered IDE with smart autocomplete & natural language edits. Code 2x faster!
cursor.sh
3. Claude
Secure, ethical AI for code reviews & architecture. Handles huge projects!
claude.ai
4. Tabnine
Privacy-first autocomplete, learns your style, runs offline. Boosts accuracy!
tabnine.com
5. Aider
Open-source CLI AI for code edits & Git commits. Free & flexible!
aider.chat
Pick one, code smarter! Which is your fave? Share below! 👇
#AITools #DevLife #2025Coding
@Codebiruh
Hey @Codebiruh crew! 👋 Level up your coding game with these 5 AI tools in 2025. Short, sweet, and powerful perfect for devs who want to ship faster! 🚀
1. GitHub Copilot
AI sidekick for instant code suggestions. Saves 50% coding time.
github.com/features/copilot
2. Cursor
AI-powered IDE with smart autocomplete & natural language edits. Code 2x faster!
cursor.sh
3. Claude
Secure, ethical AI for code reviews & architecture. Handles huge projects!
claude.ai
4. Tabnine
Privacy-first autocomplete, learns your style, runs offline. Boosts accuracy!
tabnine.com
5. Aider
Open-source CLI AI for code edits & Git commits. Free & flexible!
aider.chat
Pick one, code smarter! Which is your fave? Share below! 👇
#AITools #DevLife #2025Coding
@Codebiruh
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