For decades, developing software has been synonymous with writing code in technical languages, understanding complex structures and thinking like a machine. Today, thanks to artificial intelligence and new technologies that connect platforms, creating software is increasingly accessible, fast and human.
During Talent Arena 2025, various experts analysed how software development is undergoing a transformation marked by new tools, new languages and, above all, new ways of thinking.
AI and the new era of programming language
Until recently, writing software involved mastering a technical language that was far removed from human speech. Only those who invested time in it could program. Now, new artificial intelligence models are breaking down this barrier. You only need to speak to the machine in natural language for it to understand you.
This democratisation of access to development opens up new opportunities, but it also introduces complexity, as natural language is ambiguous. As Cassie Kozyrkov pointed out, AI accelerates the production of answers, but this makes the process of formulating good questions all the more important.
In the past, programming required technical precision; now the challenge is to think clearly, understand what is needed and know how to communicate it. Ultimately, it is not just about what technology can do, but about the decisions we make when using it.
Cross-platform development: efficiency by minimising effort
Cross-platform development is another major revolution. Technologies such as Kotlin Multiplatform allow you to write a single codebase that is then adapted for Android, iOS, the web or desktop. This saves time and resources, enabling teams to focus on delivering a better experience to the end user without having to rewrite the same content multiple times.
This approach delivers:
- More efficient, coherent, and sustainable development.
- Alignment between technical teams and business objectives
- Less maintenance, greater consistency, and agile delivery of solutions.
In a world where development time and user experience are essential, these technologies represent a technical and strategic advantage.
Dependency Updates: Key to Software Security
Beyond new ways of creating and deploying software, keeping external libraries, frameworks, and components up to date is a key part of ensuring security. What was once considered a minor technical task is now a critical practice. Ignoring updates can expose any application to serious vulnerabilities, attacks, reliability issues or the loss of performance improvements.
Tools such as Dependabot, Snyk and Renovate automate and simplify this process. At the same time, companies like Netflix have developed solutions such as OpenRewrite, capable of updating dependencies and refactoring code at scale to mitigate risks.
In a technological environment where threats are constantly evolving, adapting is not optional: it is a necessity to ensure security and efficiency.
The human perspective on programming
We are entering an era where software development is no longer the exclusive preserve of specialists, nor is it limited by technical tools. The barriers to entry are lowering, but the need for judgment, vision and structured thinking is growing.
As Steve Wozniak pointed out, it is essential to promote open-source practices, which allow solutions to be reviewed, improved and shared collaboratively, preserving the autonomy of developers and users.
Business models must also be considered: an over-reliance on subscriptions and cloud services can reduce users’ control over their data, which is why it is vital to balance innovation, transparency and digital sovereignty.
The future of software will not only be more efficient: it will be more human. Nowadays, it is not enough to know how to code; we must learn to build with purpose, fostering open, secure and people-centred ecosystems.
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