Latest news with #AdvancedTechnologies
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
From Vibe Coding To Agentic Engineering: Redefining SDLC With One-Pizza Teams
Serge Haziyev, CTO, Advanced Technologies at SoftServe. 25+ years helping Fortune 100s and startups capitalize on emerging tech. The vibe coding phenomenon emerged earlier this year—seen by some as a joke, by others as a threat and by a few as a genuinely helpful productivity approach. Ever since Andrej Karpathy introduced the term to the community, it has sparked ongoing debate across social platforms. But one key question remains: Can this prompt-driven coding style, enabled by agentic AI tools like Cursor and others, scale across development teams and be harnessed by businesses investing heavily in AI for productivity? While vibe coding proves valuable for generating small applications and rapid prototypes, it struggles when applied to larger codebases and more complex software systems developed by teams rather than individuals. The challenge often lies in the fact that the resulting code falls far short of production-grade quality. An increasing number of practitioners, myself included, believe that to effectively leverage agentic AI in real-life projects, we need to redefine the software development paradigm, particularly the people, processes and tools components of the SDLC (or PDLC) equation. For short, we can call this "agentic engineering" and define its key objective as achieving faster time to market with smaller teams and reduced manual effort, effectively lowering development costs without compromising the quality of the resulting software. Let's explore the three aspects of the SDLC that require revision: people, process and tools. People Most software development teams today follow the two-pizza team model, based on Jeff Bezos' idea that no team should be so large that it takes more than two pizzas to feed. This typically translates to eight to 12 individuals, with about half of them spending their full day working directly with code. Coding, in fact, is a highly brain-intensive activity. It's no secret that in the software development industry, engineers often spend only about one hour per day actually writing code. Multiple studies from respected sources, such as Microsoft Research, support this observation. On average, about three hours a day are spent working with code—reviewing, debugging and writing unit tests. The rest of the workday is often filled with communication, documentation or meditating on complex problems. The larger the team, the more time is typically spent on internal communication. As AI agents can autonomously execute part of a developer's activities, this leads to smaller teams where fewer people write code directly and instead leverage the agents, which act as a team of virtual developers. Here's something new in the one-pizza team model: a role called the Intelligence Engineer. This role is solely responsible for configuring, operating and customizing the agents. Think of it like a flight engineer in the early days of aviation—a crucial crew member responsible for the proper functioning of the aircraft. Process In traditional Scrum, which is commonly adopted across the software industry, each sprint lasts no longer than one month and typically spans two weeks. The cadence is defined by the time lag between planning and the retrospective. Now, imagine for a moment that development time has been reduced to zero. Once a user story enters the backlog, it immediately materializes as code. Of course, AI agentic development tools aren't quite there yet. But current performance already enables the translation of well-described tasks into code in minutes rather than hours or days. Understanding this leads us to redefine the SDLC process, as some have already observed that structured communication and evaluation are becoming the new bottlenecks. This shift elevates the role of written specifications: first, to align humans; and second, to translate intentions clearly to agents, minimizing ambiguity in the resulting program. Wait, wasn't that exactly what the waterfall process did, with its emphasis on upfront specification? The very approach that Scrum later challenged? Waterfall emphasized upfront specifications to reduce ambiguity in execution. In the AI-driven era, we're seeing a similar need, but not for static specs. Instead, we need executable intent: interpretable, testable and traceable descriptions that replace the role of traditional source code. When, in the near future, code can be generated in minutes from a sprint backlog based on new specifications, the purpose of sprint cadence will change dramatically. It will no longer govern the 'time to write code,' but rather the 'time to think, align and evaluate.' Tools The plethora of prompt-driven coding tools appearing each month puzzles many engineering leaders. Evaluating the available tools for specific project needs alone could require a dedicated team working full time on just this activity. Then comes the build versus buy question: Can universal, publicly available tools like Cursor, Windsurf, Lovable, Devin and others be effective in a specific project environment based on X, Y and Z technologies? Or is it better to build custom agents tailored to project needs using agentic frameworks such as Claude Code, OpenAI Codex or Gemini CLI? Only time will tell which approach will prevail, but one trend we can already observe is that prompt engineering (the core of vibe coding) is giving way to context engineering, which promotes a more systematic approach to feeding LLMs with complete and relevant information. While some companies are already experimenting with the context engineering approach alongside spec-driven development for their in-house agents, we can expect such tools to become available to a broader market soon, with being a good example. Sure, bringing in context and project specifics requires much more effort than simply installing an IDE. But that's the point with humans, too—think of it as onboarding a new team member who doesn't drink eat pizza. The Future Of Software Development Starts With Redefinition Vibe coding is uncovering the need for a systemic shift in how we build software. As agentic AI becomes more capable, organizations must move beyond the novelty of agentic engineering and embrace it as a disciplined framework. This means rethinking team composition, adapting processes to accelerate alignment and evaluation and choosing tools not just for output, but for orchestration. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Business Wire
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
BWXT Announces Leadership Changes
BUSINESS WIRE)--BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT) announced today the appointment of Kevin M. McCoy as the company's chief nuclear officer. In this role, McCoy will support the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy to accelerate the pace of Columbia and Virginia Class submarine production programs for the U.S. Navy. Since 2022, McCoy has served as president of BWXT's Government Operations segment where he was responsible for overseeing BWXT's Nuclear Operations and Technical Services Groups and its subsidiary Advanced Technologies, LLC. McCoy has over 40 years of leadership experience in shipyard operations, nuclear industrial operations and senior engineering positions in the U.S. Navy and private sector. He served as chief engineer of the U.S. Navy from 2005 to 2008 and as commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) from 2008 to 2013. He retired with the rank of Vice Admiral. Before joining BWXT, McCoy served as president of Irving Shipbuilding Inc. in Nova Scotia, Canada, from 2013 to 2021. With extensive shipbuilding and ship repair related experience, McCoy's accomplishments include the design, procurement, construction oversight, maintenance, modernization and engineering support of the U.S. Navy's fleet of submarines, surface ships, aircraft carriers and weapon systems. He served in leadership positions in five of the U.S. Navy's nuclear shipyards and commanded the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from 2001 to 2004. 'Kevin McCoy has been a tremendously successful leader at BWXT and throughout his career,' said Rex Geveden, BWXT president and chief executive officer. 'His commitment to our Navy and the nation is inspirational, and we are proud to be partnering with the U.S. Navy on this critical endeavor.' With McCoy's new role, BWXT is also making the following leadership announcements: Joseph K. Miller succeeds McCoy as president of Government Operations. Since 2021, Miller has served as president of BWXT Advanced Technologies. Under Miller's leadership, Advanced Technologies achieved 10x growth in program content and successfully contracted two federally funded first-of-a-kind prototype programs for advanced nuclear microreactors. Miller joined BWXT in 2011 as an engineer working on advanced commercial energy solutions, had advanced into managerial roles by 2013, became the program manager for advanced nuclear applications in 2017, and general manager of Advanced Technologies in 2020. Before joining BWXT, he was a mechanical test engineer for new construction of Virginia-class submarines at Newport News Shipbuilding and a semiconductor equipment engineer at Samsung Austin Semiconductor. Miller began his career serving in the U.S. Navy onboard the USS Norfolk (SSN 714). Miller holds a master's degree in radiation health physics from Oregon State University and a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering from Thomas Edison State College. He serves on the Central Virginia Community College Educational Foundation Board, the Nuclear Energy Maritime Organization Ltd. Board and the Oregon State University Nuclear Science and Engineering Advisory Board. 'Under Joe's leadership, BWXT Advanced Technologies has transformed initial concepts into real hardware, advancing not only the company, but nuclear power and propulsion capabilities across the nation,' said Geveden. 'He will bring his leadership and enthusiasm to Government Operations, focusing on safely delivering critical systems to our national security customers, and building further success on the strong foundation laid by Kevin McCoy and the Government Operations team.' Katherine (Kate) Haggerty Kelly succeeds Miller as president of BWXT Advanced Technologies. Kelly has been the director for space and emerging programs of Advanced Technologies since 2022, leading the strategy and execution of the space and advanced manufacturing portfolio. Before her current position, Kelly was the advanced nuclear systems program manager, focused on developing nuclear projects to promote the company's R&D interests in advanced manufacturing and nuclear thermal propulsion technologies. She also held project management, quality control and operational excellence positions within BWXT's Nuclear Operations Group in Lynchburg, Virginia. She joined the company in 2012 as a system design engineer on a small modular reactor program. Kelly received the Women in Aerospace Initiative-Inspiration-Impact Award for her contributions to the space nuclear industry and her advocacy for promoting people in aerospace. She earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and has Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Project Management Professional ® certifications. 'Kate Kelly is a rising star at BWXT,' said Joseph Miller, president of Government Operations. 'Her engineering expertise, program management skills and innate leadership capabilities will bring much continued success.' About BWXT
Observer
03-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Insights for developing sustainable data centres in Oman
As artificial intelligence becomes central to modern economies, the global surge in high-performance data centres is driving significant increases in electricity consumption and carbon emissions. These digital facilities underpin technological progress but are among the fastest-growing energy consumers globally. With data centres accounting for 2 to 3% of global electricity use, and this figure is expected to climb with the expansion of AI applications, digital twins, and large language models, the need for sustainable infrastructure is more urgent than ever. Oman, with its strategic location in the GCC and abundant renewable energy potential, is well-placed to lead this sustainable digital revolution. Oman Vision 2040 outlines Oman's road map toward a diversified and knowledge-based economy. With vast potential in renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, combined with its advancing hydrogen economy, CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation, and storage) initiatives, and LNG infrastructure, Oman can become a leader in sustainable digital transformation. The country can capitalise on its clean energy ecosystem to host AI infrastructure that is not only energy-efficient but also climate-aligned. Recent efforts by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), including the establishment of the National Centre for Space, Advanced Technologies, and Artificial Intelligence, reflect a growing commitment to integrate AI across key sectors. Energy is a priority, and integrating AI with energy systems will be essential to ensure efficient, resilient, and scalable data infrastructure. In particular, AI-optimised energy management systems and predictive cooling models can minimise operational costs and reduce carbon emissions. From a technical standpoint, Oman must invest in sustainable thermal management technologies suitable for its arid climate. Innovations such as liquid immersion cooling, thermal energy storage systems, and advanced hybrid air-liquid systems should be piloted. These technologies not only reduce energy consumption but also enhance system reliability under high ambient temperatures. Coupling these with renewable-powered microgrids and smart grid integration can improve grid stability and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Additionally, research into AI-enabled fault prediction, load balancing, and real-time optimisation of cooling and power systems is crucial for operational efficiency. Strategically, a national R&D lab hosted at Sultan Qaboos University, supported by MoTCIT, industrial zones like Sohar and Duqm, and international technology partners, could serve as a testbed for future-ready data centre solutions. Such a lab would facilitate applied research, prototype demonstration, and the development of localised cooling and hydrogen-based power systems. This initiative would enhance in-country value (ICV), promote workforce development, and support capacity building in AI-energy convergence. Oman must view sustainable data centres as essential to its digital future and climate leadership. Beyond meeting regional digital demand, these centres can become engines for innovation, clean technology commercialisation, and economic diversification. By investing in targeted R&D, smart infrastructure, and public-private collaborations, Oman can position itself as a regional hub for clean energy-powered digital ecosystems aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and global net-zero targets.
BBC News
10-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Technical director Eggington to leave Racing Bulls
Jody Eggington is to leave his position as technical director of Red Bull's second team Racing Bulls at the end of this 51-year-old Briton is to become engineering director of Red Bull's Advanced Technologies division, external. His role at Racing Bulls will be covered between chief technical officer Tim Goss and deputy technical directors Guillaume Cattelani and Andrea said: "After almost 20 years of focusing solely on Formula 1, I feel it's time for a change."I will have a great remit as engineering director of Red Bull Advanced Technologies and the company currently has an exciting list of projects."Goss, who joined Racing Bulls in January 2024, is a former technical director of McLaren.
