The fundamentals of agent-driven software workflows
What past Dev Interrupted guests have taught us about engineering excellence
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.
"The future of AI in software development is not about isolated tools... It's gonna be more about orchestrated systems where agents are reasoning, delegating, and operating across your entire software delivery lifecycle."
The Download
The Download is your weekly telenovela of engineering industry drama. 🌹
1. LeadDev’s report reveals the state of engineering leadership 📊
The latest Engineering Leadership Report from Scott Carey of LeadDev surveyed over 600 engineering leaders, revealing a mixed bag of insights. While 62% report modest productivity gains from AI, a staggering 65% are bracing for a recession. Interestingly, the number of layoffs and hiring freezes has dropped significantly, hinting at a cautious optimism in the air. Still, concerns about upskilling junior devs and code maintainability are rising, suggesting that while AI is embraced, it's not without its growing pains.
Read: The Engineering Leadership Report 2025
2. The Toaster Protocol Principle behind all of the technology you know and love 🍞
’s latest essay introduces the Toaster Protocol Principle, showcasing how protocols like HTTP and USB have evolved into universal tools for tasks their creators never envisioned. As AI technology becomes a chaotic yet fascinating plugin system, we might just be stumbling upon a true one API to rule them all.
3. Meta's talent poaching saga escalates 🔍
In the latest chapter of the Meta vs. OpenAI rivalry, Meta has released a list of new hires snatched from OpenAI and other AI powerhouses, aiming to bolster its Superintelligence Labs. This aggressive recruiting strategy has drawn sharp criticism, with some likening it to a home burglary. As both companies ramp up their AI ambitions, the question remains: is the pursuit of superintelligence misguided? Perhaps the future lies in specialized AI that seamlessly integrates into our daily lives rather than a singular, all-powerful model.
Read: Key takeaways from Mark Zuckerberg’s memo on Meta’s new ‘superintelligence’ AI effort and big hires
Are you ready to upgrade your SDLC with AI? (sponsored)
Join our host
for a free virtual workshop later this month where a panel of experts will benchmark some of the hottest AI code review tools on the market right now like LinearB, Copilot, and CodeRabbit.Discover the top 3 AI automations teams are using today, and get the inside scoop on building a high-velocity PR automation stack designed for modern teams. This is your opportunity to bridge what we discuss on Dev Interrupted into measurable improvements for your team. See you there!
4. Grammarly and Superhuman join forces in the AI arena 🤝
Grammarly is acquiring email startup Superhuman, signaling a bold move to enhance its AI capabilities. Grammarly stated that email is currently its “number-one use case” for professional users, with its AI assistant helping to revise over 50 million emails per week across more than 20 email providers. The acquisition of Superhuman, a popular email platform, aligns with Grammarly's strategy to enhance its offerings within this primary use case. Check out the full story from Superhuman CEO Rahul Vohra.
Read: Superhuman is being acquired by Grammarly to build the future of work
