Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the future of software jobs, and today’s engineers need to think beyond just writing code. Speaking at Sangam 2025, the IIT Madras Alumni Association’s annual conference, OpenAI’s Vice President of Engineering, Srinivas Narayanan, said software engineers must grow into decision-makers with big-picture thinking, almost like CEOs.
“The job is shifting from just writing code to asking the right questions and defining the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of a problem,” said Narayanan. “AI can already handle much of the ‘how’.”
"Build With AI From the Start," Says Microsoft Leader
Aparna Chennapragada, Chief Product Officer at Microsoft, joined the panel and added that companies must stop treating AI as an add-on feature.
“AI isn’t a feature you can just add on. We need to start building with an AI-first mindset,” she said.
She also mentioned that natural language tools (like chat-based interfaces) are beginning to replace traditional user interfaces in many apps and platforms.
How AI Is Changing Work and Product Design
The discussion, led by Shyamala Rajaram, CEO of Unimity and IITMAA President, focused on how AI is reshaping jobs, education, safety, and product design.
Chennapragada noted that today’s professionals must blend deep knowledge with flexible skills.
“Prompt sets are the new PRDs,” she joked, explaining how teams now experiment with prompts and models instead of writing long product requirement documents.
AI in Healthcare and Research
Narayanan shared an example of how AI is being used to support medical diagnostics. At a lab connected to UC Berkeley, OpenAI’s model helped researchers identify rare genetic conditions.
“The potential of AI as a research partner is huge,” he said.
Risks and Responsibility
Narayanan also spoke about the risks of using AI, such as spreading false information or producing unsafe content. He revealed that OpenAI recently pulled back a model that was showing signs of sycophancy, or overly flattering behaviour. He said this reflects their step-by-step approach to launching new models.
Making AI Accessible
Both speakers agreed that AI must be made available to more people.
Narayanan pointed out that the cost of using AI models has fallen 100 times in just two years.
Chennapragada said there’s a growing need for combining computer science with AI knowledge in schools and colleges.
She wrapped up the talk with a powerful message: “In a world where intelligence is no longer the gatekeeper, the real differentiators will be ambition and agency.”
Inputs from TOI
“The job is shifting from just writing code to asking the right questions and defining the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of a problem,” said Narayanan. “AI can already handle much of the ‘how’.”
"Build With AI From the Start," Says Microsoft Leader
Aparna Chennapragada, Chief Product Officer at Microsoft, joined the panel and added that companies must stop treating AI as an add-on feature.
“AI isn’t a feature you can just add on. We need to start building with an AI-first mindset,” she said.
She also mentioned that natural language tools (like chat-based interfaces) are beginning to replace traditional user interfaces in many apps and platforms.
How AI Is Changing Work and Product Design
The discussion, led by Shyamala Rajaram, CEO of Unimity and IITMAA President, focused on how AI is reshaping jobs, education, safety, and product design.
Chennapragada noted that today’s professionals must blend deep knowledge with flexible skills.
“Prompt sets are the new PRDs,” she joked, explaining how teams now experiment with prompts and models instead of writing long product requirement documents.
AI in Healthcare and Research
Narayanan shared an example of how AI is being used to support medical diagnostics. At a lab connected to UC Berkeley, OpenAI’s model helped researchers identify rare genetic conditions.
“The potential of AI as a research partner is huge,” he said.
Risks and Responsibility
Narayanan also spoke about the risks of using AI, such as spreading false information or producing unsafe content. He revealed that OpenAI recently pulled back a model that was showing signs of sycophancy, or overly flattering behaviour. He said this reflects their step-by-step approach to launching new models.
Making AI Accessible
Both speakers agreed that AI must be made available to more people.
Narayanan pointed out that the cost of using AI models has fallen 100 times in just two years.
Chennapragada said there’s a growing need for combining computer science with AI knowledge in schools and colleges.
She wrapped up the talk with a powerful message: “In a world where intelligence is no longer the gatekeeper, the real differentiators will be ambition and agency.”
Inputs from TOI
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