AI for Software Engineers

Explore the tools. Learn how to build with them. Make Generative AI part of your practice.

AI for Software Engineers is a practical, conversational session for technical teams looking to make sense of Generative AI both as users and as builders.

From figuring out how to adopt AI tools in day to day workflows, to understanding what it means to design and deliver products using these new capabilities, this session is grounded, technical, and hands on in spirit (but no laptops required).

Why AI for Software Engineers?

AI is changing how software is written, tested, and delivered. But adoption isn't automatic and hype fatigue is real.

Technical teams are right to be sceptical. There's noise. There are constraints. And past attempts may have disappointed.

In this session, we work through the two core shifts software engineers need to understand:

Using AI Tools in Software Engineering

We talk openly about what gets in the way and reframe the goal: This isn't about belief or evangelism it's about trying the tools and seeing what helps.

Building with Generative AI

This part is about shifting mental models. Generative AI can be seen as a new way to program computers using English as your source code.

The Core Shifts

1. Using AI Tools in Software Engineering

We talk openly about what gets in the way:

  • "I tried it, didn't like it."
  • "This is just hype, right?"
  • Fear, uncertainty, and a lot of previous bad demos.

Whether it's code completion, writing tests, summarising PRs, writing docs, or spiking ideas engineers should feel empowered (and expected) to explore. The company's job? Make that easy.

2. Building with Generative AI

This part is about shifting mental models. Generative AI can be seen as:

  • A new way to program computers using English as your source code.
  • A powerful but unpredictable genie one that gives you what you ask for, but not always how you expect.
  • A flexible layer of "intelligence" something you can point at different problems and contexts.

We walk through the patterns, trade offs, and design principles behind building software that uses Generative AI with clear eyes about its limitations.

Who It's For

👨‍💻

Software Engineers

Curious about how AI can help them work smarter

👨‍💼

Tech Leads

Looking to understand AI's role in technical decision-making

📊

Engineering Managers

Trying to introduce AI tools or practices into the team

🔧

Platform Teams

Looking to understand the right role for AI in their stack

🚀

CTOs

Who want their teams to be AI-aware, but not AI-blind

This session is technical, but inclusive. No specific AI experience is required just an engineering mindset.

What You'll Walk Away With

🎯

Clear Understanding

A clearer understanding of the current generation of AI tools for developers

🚧

Insight into Blockers

Insight into the blockers to adoption and how to remove them

🏗️

Practical Concepts

Practical concepts for how to design and build using Generative AI

🔄

Shift in Perspective

A shift in perspective: from seeing AI as hype, to treating it as a tool in the toolbox

💡

Ideas & Confidence

Ideas to take back to your team and confidence to start the right conversations

Format

This is an open, discussion-led session not a workshop or lecture.

Small Technical Teams

Ideal for small technical teams or engineering groups

Flexible Delivery

Ideally in person

No Slides

No slides — just real talk, shared examples, and lived experience

Follow-up Support

Follow-up notes and resources included, plus optional advisory support

Facilitated by

👨‍💼

Mark Setchell

Founder, SimpleBits

With over 30 years in software engineering, Mark has been at the frontline of delivering complex systems, leading teams, and more recently, embedding Generative AI into technical workflows and product strategy.

He understands the culture of engineering and how to introduce new tools and ways of thinking without breaking what works. Mark brings both technical depth and a bias for practicality.

Get Started

Want to run a session for your engineering team?

Email: mark@simplebits.au

Call: +61(0)415 269 628

Help your team get ahead with less friction, and more signal.