Chris Powell
Director of EU Architecture
CCBill
Architecture Track
Session Outline:
From Coder to Conductor: The Reality of Engineering in the AI Era
AI is rapidly becoming a core part of modern software development, but the reality of AI-assisted engineering is far more complex than the productivity headlines suggest. In this session, Christopher Powell and Marco Lenzo explore how the software development lifecycle is evolving as developers transition from writing every line of code to orchestrating, reviewing, and directing AI-generated outputs.
Drawing on real-world experience, the session examines where AI genuinely accelerates delivery, where it introduces new risks, and how engineering teams can avoid accumulating hidden technical and review debt. It also explores the growing importance of problem definition, system thinking, quality assurance, and architectural oversight in an era of increasingly non-deterministic software generation.
The presentation will address one of the industry's most pressing questions: how do we develop the next generation of engineers when many traditional entry-level learning opportunities are being automated? Attendees will gain practical insights into building resilient teams, protecting product quality, and adapting engineering practices for the AI era.
About Chris
With over 20 years of experience across fintech, telecoms, and infrastructure services, Chris leads multi-disciplinary architecture teams to deliver lean, sustainable solutions that drive measurable business value. A passionate mentor and servant leader, he specializes in bridging the gap between strategic intent and technical execution.
A long-time collaborator with Marco Lenzo, Chris has worked closely with him for over 16 years, building a shared approach to modern architecture, platform engineering, and AI adoption. A returning speaker at TechTok, Chris co-presented in 2025 and returns in 2026 to explore the next frontier of AI-driven engineering. Together, they also delivered the AI keynote at the 2025 Travel Influencer Summit in Malta.
Chris is committed to fostering engineering cultures that embrace emerging technologies while maintaining strong delivery discipline and a clear focus on responsible, value-driven innovation.
