Artificial intelligence is changing software engineering faster than almost any previous technology shift - but what does that mean for developers, employers and the next generation entering the industry?

In this episode of the Sheffield Digital Podcast, Mel Kanarek is joined by James Charlesworth, Director of Engineering at Pendo's Sheffield office and organiser of Sheffield AI Meetup. They discuss how AI is transforming the way software is built, why problem-solving and human skills are becoming more valuable than ever, and what this means for recruitment and career development.

They also explore the growing challenge of maintaining a talent pipeline for junior engineers, why authentic human communication still stands out in an AI-assisted world, and how Sheffield's AI community is creating space for people to learn, share ideas and navigate these changes together.

In this episode:

• Why AI is the biggest technological shift James has seen in 20 years of software engineering
• How Pendo is using AI beyond chatbots and large language models
• Why coding is just one part of a software engineer's job
• The changing skills employers are looking for in new recruits
• What AI means for junior developers and the future talent pipeline
• How AI is reshaping recruitment for employers and candidates alike
• Why Sheffield AI Meetup puts people first in conversations about AI
• The opportunities and risks of AI's next phase of development

Links

• Pendo: https://www.pendo.io/
• Sheffield AI Meetup: https://sheffield.ai
• Steel City AI Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/steel-city-ai/
• Sheffield Digital website: https://sheffield.digital/

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Notes

This interview was recorded on 23rd June 2026 at Pendo's Sheffield office, located in the Eagle Works building.

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We’re really keen to get your feedback on the podcast. You can email [email protected]

Thank you for the music

Thanks to Alex Mclean – aka Yaxu – for the show’s intro music, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.