How can AI revolutionize the way we build and test software? In this episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David Politis sits down with Itamar Friedman, Co-Founder and CEO of Qodo, to explore the impact of AI-driven software development. 

Itamar shares insights on how AI can enhance code integrity, optimize developer workflows, and shape the future of software engineering. From his entrepreneurial journey to the latest advancements in AI, Itamar dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of bringing AI into software development.

Takeaways:

• From Research to Entrepreneurship: Itamar shares his journey from studying AI to co-founding Qodo, discussing how his background in machine learning and software engineering led to his mission of improving code quality.
• AI-Powered Code Integrity: AI isn’t just about generating code—it’s about ensuring its accuracy and efficiency. Itamar explains how Qodo is redefining software testing by automating code validation and catching potential issues early in development.
• Challenges of Building AI for Developers: Unlike other AI applications, coding tools must be highly reliable. Itamar breaks down the unique hurdles of building AI that developers can trust and seamlessly integrate into their workflows.
• The Role of AI in Software Testing: Traditional software testing methods are time-consuming and often inefficient. Itamar discusses how AI-driven test generation is changing the landscape, making development faster and more reliable.
• Scaling an AI Startup: Bringing an AI-powered tool to market requires balancing innovation with practicality. Itamar shares his experience of scaling Qodo, attracting early adopters, and iterating based on developer feedback.
• Ethical Considerations in AI Development: With AI playing a bigger role in critical processes, ethical concerns are inevitable. Itamar reflects on responsible AI development, the risks of automation, and how companies can build AI that benefits users.
• The Future of AI in Development Workflows: Looking ahead, Itamar shares his predictions for how AI will continue to transform software engineering, from fully automated debugging to more intelligent coding assistants.

Quote of the Show:

• “I'm not saying that technical people should give up on that. Actually that's our superpower.” - Itamar Friedman

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itamarf 
• Twitter (X): https://x.com/itamar_mar
• Company Website: https://www.qodo.ai 

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NQ9oAB2XKlgWeL8iEQXg0 
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-another-ceo-podcast/id1751581707 
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7c6328f0-9b42-41db-8fe2-d263b4fbb261 
• Transistor: https://podcast.notanotherceo.com/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotAnotherCEOPodcast 

#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Qodo

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:36 What You’d Do Again As CEO

06:02 Transitioning to CEO

14:27 The Role of AI in Software Development

21:28 Challenges and Insights as a First-Time CEO

32:21 Finding the First Customers

36:57 Strong Content and Alpha Code

38:22 Product-Led Growth and Sales Strategy

42:08 Fundraising Journey and Investor Alignment

51:57 Challenges and Vision for AI in Coding

54:59 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Personal Life

01:04:31 Advice to Younger Self

01:07:49 Outro