This episode explores Andy’s journey from globalization to AI, diving into how software development has evolved and what AI means for the industry’s future.

About the Episode:

The conversation traces Andy’s path into AI and software development, starting from his international business background and experiences in globalization to becoming a leader in AI-driven software development. Together, we examine how global outsourcing and digital transformation reshaped the software industry over the past three decades, from large corporations leveraging international talent to today’s growing need for small and mid-sized companies to access global expertise.

Andy shares insights on why treating software development as a transactional job often fails and how building strong frameworks around people, processes, and integration leads to better results. We then shift to the rise of AI in software development—its real capabilities, the hype, and the risks. From improving workflows to democratizing innovation, AI holds incredible promise, but Andy stresses the need for human oversight and unique value creation. The discussion ends with reflections on AI’s dual nature: a powerful tool for collaboration and democratization, but also a technology vulnerable to misuse.

For anyone curious about the future of developers, globalization’s role in tech, and how AI will shape the software industry, this episode offers both context and foresight.

About the Guest:

As CEO of Accelerance, Andy leads and advocates for the globalization and collaboration of great software teams with companies in search of talent, innovation and a globally-distributed extension of their engineering function and culture. Andy founded the ground-breaking nearshore software development services company, Isthmus Costa Rica. He began his global software services career as a division manager at Cognizant during their early formative years. Andy is originally from Sonoma, CA and has visited more than 60 countries. His passion for global travel, cultural appreciation and cross-border collaboration stems originally from his experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica in the late 1980’s. Andy holds an MBA in International Business, Finance and Marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Epistemology from the University of Denver after attending Phillips Academy in Andover, MA.

Website: https://www.accelerance.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhilliard/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebusinessnerdyt/featured

Timestamps:

00:01:07 - Episode Commences
00:03:12 - AI Career Journey: From Globalization to Tech
00:05:30 - Global Software Development Evolution
00:10:33 - Software Development Talent Integration Framework
00:21:15 - AI in Software Development Evolution
00:31:13 - AI's Dual Potential and Risks 
00:39:24 - Episode Concludes

Additional Notes:

For more check out the website: https://futuretechandforesight.com/

Or connect with me on –

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FutureTech_Pod

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/futuretechandforesight/