The first episode of Java Maple Leafs was special. I had the chance to talk with Pedro Cavalero, a seasoned Software Engineer, international career mentor, and community leader. Our conversation spanned Java, career growth, working in Canada, and—most importantly—how AI is transforming the role of developers.

You can watch the full episode here: Episode 1

From Writing Code to Engineering Context

Pedro shared a powerful idea: AI won’t replace developers, but it will redefine what we do.

As he put it:

“AI can write code faster than us, but it doesn’t understand the business. That’s where the developer makes the difference.”

Instead of spending our days writing repetitive boilerplate code, AI is stepping in as a collaborator. Developers will increasingly shift from being “code producers” to becoming context engineers—professionals who know how to give AI the right input, the right context, and the right business goals.

This shift means that success in the future won’t only be about mastering syntax or frameworks, but about mastering how to communicate effectively with AI systems.

What is Context Engineering?

Think of context engineering as the art of framing the problem so AI can solve it effectively.
It’s about:

• Designing the right prompts, constraints, and guardrails.
• Embedding business knowledge into AI-assisted workflows.
• Understanding when to trust AI’s output—and when human judgment is critical.

Pedro explained it in simple terms:

“The developer of tomorrow needs to be less about writing lines of code, and more about teaching the AI why this line of code matters.”

In short, developers become the bridge between raw AI capabilities and real-world solutions.

Lessons I Learned from Pedro

Talking with Pedro gave me some clear insights:

• AI is a multiplier, not a replacement. Pedro reminded us that “AI makes you faster, but it doesn’t replace your creativity or your understanding of the problem.”
• Career growth requires flexibility. Just like Pedro moved from Brazil to Canada, adapting to new environments, we also need to adapt to this AI-driven professional landscape.
• Community matters. Sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and engaging with peers will be even more important as the tools evolve.

Preparing for the AI-Driven Future

Here are some takeaways for any developer:

1. Invest in understanding AI tools. Don’t just use them—learn how they think.
2. Build problem-framing skills. Strong communication and domain knowledge are key.
3. Stay curious. As Pedro highlighted, “The best developers are not the ones who know every tool, but the ones who never stop learning.”

Closing Thoughts

The conversation with Pedro reminded me that we are entering a new era in software development. One where AI is our teammate, and our value comes not from typing faster, but from thinking deeper and providing the right context.

🎧 You can listen to the full episode of Java Maple Leafs to dive deeper into these insights.

👉I would love to know what do you think about it, please share on the comments. And enjoy watching the full episode below.