SED News is a monthly podcast from Software Engineering Daily, where hosts Gregor Vand and Sean Falconer discuss significant stories in software engineering, Silicon Valley, and the wider tech industry.
This episode features coverage on Starlink’s quick deployment of complimentary high-speed in-flight internet, Tesla’s transition from Autopilot to full self-driving, and Apple’s potential decision to integrate Google’s Gemini models in powering Siri. Additional discussions include Meta’s $2 billion acquisition of Manus, Waymo’s challenges in scaling autonomous vehicles, and the competitive impact of Google’s innovations in custom AI hardware.
Gregor and Sean proceed to examine the tech job market, including OpenAI’s move to abolish vesting cliffs, the intensifying competition for top AI talent, and what recent layoffs indicate about the future of software engineering. They delve into how AI coding tools are redefining roles of junior versus senior engineers, the enduring importance of core skills, and where developers should direct their focus as 2026 approaches.
Lastly, they highlight noteworthy threads from Hacker News, such as Doom running on wireless earbuds, the persistent charm of elaborately over-engineered side projects, and the value of hacking for enjoyment in the era of industrial-scale AI.
Gregor Vand is a technologist specializing in security, having previously served as CTO in sectors such as cybersecurity, cyber insurance, and general software engineering. Based in Singapore, he is reachable via his profile at vand.hk or on LinkedIn.
Sean has experience as an academic, startup founder, and Googler. He has authored publications on topics ranging from AI to quantum computing. Currently, Sean is an AI Entrepreneur in Residence at Confluent, focusing on AI strategy and thought leadership. Connect with Sean on LinkedIn.
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