AI is rapidly changing how software gets built. Code generation is faster than ever. Boilerplate can be automated. Entire workflows can now be accelerated with AI-assisted development tools.
But software projects rarely fail because developers cannot write syntax.
They fail because teams misunderstand the problem.
As AI becomes increasingly capable at generating code, the most valuable developers will be the ones who can understand business context, navigate ambiguity, communicate clearly with stakeholders, and guide solutions from idea to implementation. This session explores how developers can remain not just relevant but indispensable by evolving from a code-first mindset to a problem-first one.
In this session, Nick & Patrick will discuss what modern software development looks like when AI becomes part of the delivery team and why human judgment, collaboration, and contextual understanding become even more important in that future.
What You’ll Learn
-
- Why AI-generated code still struggles with context, nuance, and real-world complexity
- How to shift from “building features” to solving meaningful business problems
- Techniques for translating vague stakeholder requests into actionable technical plans
- How developers can effectively orchestrate AI and human collaboration
- The growing importance of communication, facilitation, and systems thinking
- Ways to strengthen the human skills that are hardest to automate
Rather than positioning AI as a replacement for developers, this session focuses on how engineers can use AI as a force multiplier while deepening the uniquely human capabilities that create long-term value.
Who Should Attend
This session is designed for:
- Software engineers and developers
- Technical leads and architects
- Engineering managers
- Product and delivery teams
- Developers exploring AI-assisted workflows
- Anyone thinking about the future role of software engineering
Whether you are already integrating AI into your workflow or simply trying to understand where the industry is heading, this session offers practical guidance grounded in real-world software delivery experience.
Meet the Speakers
Nick Manor
Nick Manor is a Sr. Principal at RBA, where he focuses on delivering pragmatic software solutions that solve real-world business problems. With 20 years in the software industry, he has worked across all layers of the stack and partners with organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises, to understand their unique needs and build effective solutions.
Outside of work, Nick has spent 15 years mentoring students in FIRST Robotics and enjoys camping and mountain biking.
Patrick Kragthorpe-Shirley
Patrick Kragthorpe-Shirley is a Director of Data and AI at RBA focused on enterprise-scale software, applying AI across development and product workflows while building AI-powered tools and agents into production systems.
Why This Conversation Matters
The conversation around AI in software development often centers on productivity gains and automation. But the future of engineering is not just about writing code faster. It is about understanding problems more deeply, connecting technology to business outcomes, and building systems that work for real people.
The developers who thrive in the AI era will not simply be the fastest coders. They will be the strongest collaborators, problem solvers, and strategic thinkers.
Join RBA at Open Source North 2026 to explore what that future looks like and how developers can lead it.
Open Source North 2026
Session Time: 1:00 PM
Room: JRC
Learn more here: https://opensourcenorth.com/presentations/From-Coder-to-Problem-Solver-How-Developers-Stay-Indispensable-in-an-AI-World