Earlier this month we gathered a room full of engineering leaders for our latest HI Technology & Innovation Breakfast. The theme? AI in Software Engineering — trends, challenges, and real-world impact.
Hosted by our founder, Mike Daniel, the session offered early insights from HI Technology & Innovation’s forthcoming AI in Software Engineering Insights Report — and plenty of lively discussion over coffee and full English breakfast.
A Room Full of Ideas
Mike set the stage for an honest and forward-looking discussion on how software engineering teams are embracing (and sometimes resisting) AI. From there, conversation flowed. Guests discussed how AI tools are changing workflows, the growing concern around “shadow AI”, and what responsible adoption really looks like.
Early Findings From the AI Insights Report
HI Technology & Innovation’s research revealed that nearly 90% of companies are already investing in AI, yet fewer than a third have a defined strategy in place. Among the most eye-opening findings:
- Around 50% of developers use unapproved AI tools when none are officially provided — a major compliance risk.
- Only 11% of respondents are using AI for documentation, despite it being one of the easiest wins.
- Teams see the biggest productivity boost when pairing greenfield projects with agentic AI (for rapid proof of concepts and internal tools).
The Three Golden Rules
Mike also introduced HI Technology & Innovation’s three golden rules for responsible AI adoption:
- Human review must always be the final review.
- Engineers remain accountable for everything they prompt.
- AI should only be used to write what you could write yourself.
These simple principles, he noted, can help teams maintain trust, accountability, and quality as they scale their AI usage.
Looking Ahead
The morning ended with more discussion (and a delicious breakfast) as participants shared how they’re defining their own AI strategies. The conversation underscored the industry’s appetite for clarity and collaboration — and the need for metrics to measure AI’s true impact.
HI Technology & Innovations’s full AI in Software Engineering Insights Report will be released in December 2025, expanding on the findings shared at the breakfast.
Until then, thank you to everyone who joined us — your insights and energy made it an inspiring start to the day.
