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Black Box Validation: What Ops Can Teach Us About AI Development

Why operations professionals might have an edge in AI-augmented development
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The Double Standard: Why Is AI Welcomed But Not Diverse Humans?
Why do we give flawed AI systems more benefit of the doubt than brilliant humans who aren't like us? The DEI backlash and AI hype make a stark contrast.
 • Daniel Walters
A Review of The Different Philosophies of AI Coding Tools
AI-coding tools are taking a range of approaches to how they will assist us to write code. Let's do a stock take of the of the tools and how they differ…
 • Daniel Walters
Paid Subscribers Only: How executives can help achieve positive change and greater impact
Opportunities to improve effectiveness are endless, but it’s easy to deprioritise them—especially when growth through hiring seems simpler or change…
 • Daniel Walters
The Rapid Evolution of How We Interface with Models (And The Elephant Paths We Tread)
On Elephant Paths, AI-models and The Unfolding Mystery of How We Will Eventually Interface with Them.
 • Daniel Walters
When the AI Behemoths Stumble, AI-Assisted Development Will Still March On
Even if the AI giants fall, AI-assisted development won’t—because the real shift is in how we build, not who powers it.
 • Daniel Walters
Stop Pretending Your Code Is a Stradivarius
Most code isn’t crafted for the symphony—so why are you still carving it by hand?
 • Daniel Walters
Should CTOs stop hiring and focus on AI?
I've had this question from several CEOs. In some cases they shrunk in last year's tough economy. In other cases they have new funding but are deciding…
 • Daniel Walters
Rethinking the Advice: When CTOs Should Stay “On the Tools” in the Age of AI-Assisted Development
What if the smartest move for today’s CTO isn’t stepping away from the code—but stepping back into it, strategically?
 • Daniel Walters
Reclaiming Focus: Why SaaS Fatigue Is Fueling the Rise of AI Agents
Drowning in logins, scattered SaaS tools, and overpriced subscriptions? Here’s how AI agents are quietly dismantling the old software stack.
 • Daniel Walters
Has AI Finally Made Fred Brooks' Surgical Team a Reality?
What if one developer could outperform a team—not by working harder, but by working with AI as their surgical support crew?
 • Daniel Walters
Wondering How to Support AI Adoption? A Guide for Leaders.
Not everyone is exploring how AI can help them improve productivity or enhance products or address entirely new market opportunities. How can an…
 • Daniel Walters
Paid Subscribers Only: When Budgets Are Tight – A Leader’s Guide to Amplifying Software Product Engineering Impact
In the past year, rising interest rates and shifting market confidence have created a cost-conscious environment, pushing organisations to do more with…
 • Daniel Walters
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Black Box Validation: What Ops Can Teach Us About AI Development
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Great CTO - Dedicated to helping CTOs thrive.
Great CTO - Dedicated to helping CTOs thrive.
A resource for tech leaders: Be a more helpful leader by giving teams the context they need to do their best work: practical advice and proven practices for CTOs by an experienced CTO and CTO Coach.

communication

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Language Matters: Terminology in tech and its influence on behaviour
Does language follow behaviour or influence behaviour? My life experience leads me to believe it works both ways. Why is this relevant for technology…
 • Daniel Walters
How a CTO can Reduce Friction Amongst Teams
It's common for friction between groups of people to lead to the assumption of malicious intent when none exists. Directly identifying when this occurs…
 • Daniel Walters
Alternatives to Software Estimation: First, know what problem you are trying to solve.
One problem with software estimation; it is deployed by default, an assumed part of the development process. A way to challenge such defaults is to get…
 • Daniel Walters
Getting Support for Technical Improvement
The CTO is responsible for making the right technical investments, but this isn't easy. Engaging the right level of support for investment requires…
 • Daniel Walters
Instinctual time-saving wastes the most time.
In most organisations, there is a contradiction. Leaders claim there is no time to give clear direction, yet time wasted due to a lack of direction is…
 • Daniel Walters
Strategic pillars are a goal-setting antipattern
A shortcut organisations use to show why it is doing something is to categorise work under 'pillars' with a supposed relationship to a positive outcome…
 • Daniel Walters
How different forms of jargon can alienate
Do you find it hard to get support for significant technical investments? In my ongoing series of posts on communicating in ways that reach your…
 • Daniel Walters
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