Technological revolutions have reshaped software engineering throughout history, and today's AI wave is no different. This talk draws parallels between the rise of Fortran in the mid-20th century and the current AI revolution. Using the story of Dorothy Vaughan—NASA mathematician, Fortran pioneer, and a trailblazer for women in STEM—as a guiding narrative, we’ll uncover leadership lessons for modern software engineering leaders.

Dorothy Vaughan’s ability to foresee technological shifts, adapt to change, and lead inclusive, future-ready teams offers a timeless blueprint for today’s AI-driven transformation. This talk will examine Vaughan's foresight, proactive learning, and team empowerment, and connect them to actionable steps leaders can take to prepare their teams for AI’s impact. We'll also discuss the opportunities AI presents for workforce dynamics, upskilling, and ethical decision-making, helping attendees predict and shape what’s coming next in software engineering.

This talk is targeted towards mid-career software engineers, engineering managers, and directors.

The preferred session duration is from 20 to 30 minutes.