Session Details
Beyond the Commit: A Fireside Chat on AI and Developer Productivity
Join Brian Houck (Microsoft) and Nachiappan Nagappan (Meta)—two of the most influential voices in Developer Productivity—for a rare and insightful fireside chat. Drawing on decades of research and industry experience, Brian and Nachi will explore the evolving landscape of Developer Productivity metrics, the transformative role of AI across the entire software development lifecycle (far beyond code generation), and where they would invest—with no budget constraints—to drive the next wave of innovation in Developer Productivity Engineering in the era of generative AI.
meet the speakers
Brian Houck
Brian Houck is an Applied Scientist at Microsoft who specializes in increasing the wellbeing and productivity of internal engineering teams. His mission goes beyond metrics; it’s about humanizing the workplace. Through his research into tooling, processes, and cultural dynamics, Brian has successfully implemented strategies that not only boost efficiency, but also foster a collaborative and satisfying work environment.
Brian takes human-centered approach, focusing on improving the day-to-day experiences for developers. This philosophy has led to multiple company-wide initiatives and policies that have measurably enhanced team dynamics and productivity. His passion lies in exploring innovative ways to improve our work culture, ensuring that every individual feels valued, motivated and productive.
Nachiappan Nagappan
Nachi is a Research Scientist at Meta. He works on developer productivity focusing on writing reliable software. He is a Fellow of the ACM and IEEE.