In this episode of "How Many CTOs Does It Take?" podcast, hosts Scott Porad and Brad Hefta-Gaub welcome special guest Michael Natkin, a distinguished CTO with an Oscar and a James Beard Award. The discussion centers on the transformative impact of AI in coding and engineering, from the use of tools like Cursor and Code Rabbit to the potential of AI agents in automating complex tasks. The conversation delves into how AI is reshaping both junior and senior engineering roles, the nuances of prompting AI, and the promising yet cautious foray of non-technical users into the coding world. The trio also explores the future of software development and the importance of evolving with AI to safeguard career prospects in the tech industry.

• 00:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 00:36 Meet Michael Natkin: A Unique CTO
• 01:21 Michael's Journey: From Louisville to Glowforge
• 02:28 Achievements: James Beard Award and Oscar
• 03:31 Diving into AI and Coding
• 05:02 Real-World AI Experiences
• 05:19 AI Tools for Engineers
• 07:49 Challenges and Opportunities with AI
• 16:08 The Future of Junior Engineers
• 21:23 Exploring AI Tools and Systems
• 22:50 The Rapid Evolution of AI Tools
• 23:02 Non-Technical Engineers Making an Impact
• 23:37 Internal Tools and Their Effectiveness
• 24:41 Challenges with LLM-Generated Code
• 26:24 The Role of CTOs in Bridging Technical Gaps
• 27:11 Non-Technical Teams Using AI for Coding
• 30:02 The Future of AI in Software Development
• 30:14 Real-World Examples of AI Coding Success
• 31:33 Skepticism and Open-Mindedness in AI Adoption
• 33:19 The Evolution of Software Engineering
• 40:13 Encouraging Teams to Embrace AI
• 42:26 Final Thoughts and Reflections