As a founder, CTO, and hands-on architect, I’ve been writing code for over two decades. I run multiple complex projects — from digital platforms to large-scale infrastructure systems — and while I no longer write every line of code myself, I still treat it as an art form. So when AI tools like ChatGPT became mainstream, I saw an opportunity: not to replace myself, but to extend myself.
AI, for me, became a junior developer that I trained to think like me. Over time, it evolved from a mid-level coder to a senior assistant — shaped by my standards, my style, and my expectations.
Hiring someone with my background — a BA in Computer Science, an MA in Technology Management, and certifications in cybersecurity and data science — isn’t cheap. Nor is it easy to find someone who shares the same obsessive attention to detail, performance, structure, and maintainability.
So instead of building a team around me, I built an AI-driven process with me at the center. I used ChatGPT not just to generate code, but to help me:
- Structure entire platforms with best practices
- Refactor legacy logic for performance
- Add security layers into sensitive workflows
- Align naming conventions and enforce consistency
- Polish the aesthetics and readability of the code
It wasn’t about delegation. It was about augmentation.
Here’s what most people get wrong: AI often jumps to conclusions. It tries to be sophisticated, skipping steps and providing huge chunks of code at once. But that’s not how I work.
One of my core “trainings” for the AI was to force it into a step-by-step mindset.
Why? Because building software isn’t about getting to the end quickly — it’s about shaping every layer with intention.
Working step by step has two purposes:
1. It allows me to monitor and guide the process, like pair programming with a junior dev.
2. It lets me perform instant code reviews, catching edge cases, misalignments, or security gaps before they grow.
That’s how I prevent the AI from becoming a shortcut — and turn it into a tool of efficiency.
I’m not afraid of hard work. I don’t believe in shortcuts.
To me, the difference between lazy automation and elite productivity is how you use the tool.
With AI, the temptation is always to ask for the full solution. But real developers know: the value isn’t in how fast you get to the answer — it’s in how well you understand the problem. AI doesn’t replace thinking. It amplifies it — when used right.
I still enjoy writing code. Not because I have to — but because it’s a creative act. Even as I lead teams and companies, I make space to “play” with code. AI lets me do that at a new level.
Today, I’ve found my balance: 20% coding, 80% managing.
And in that 20%, I’m more creative, more focused, and more expressive — because AI helps me get the heavy lifting out of the way, and leaves me with what I enjoy most: design, architecture, and refinement.
AI may be able to write code — but it doesn’t have vision.
It can’t replace years of experience, taste, instinct, or curiosity.
It’s not a developer. It’s a mirror. And the better you are, the better it becomes.
So no — I’m not afraid of AI. I’ve trained it to help me, not to replace me.
Alon Sudri is an expert technology leader, system architect, and venture partner with over 20 years of experience driving digital innovation. He collaborates with startups and organizations as a strategic CTO, delivering tailored solutions that blend deep technical expertise with business-driven vision.
His work spans venture tech partnerships, digital transformation, and next-gen product development — all focused on scalability, performance, and meaningful user experience. With academic foundations in computer science and technology management, alongside certifications in cybersecurity and data science, Alon brings both precision and creativity to every challenge.
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