Not Another CEO Podcast

How can AI revolutionize the way we build and test software? In this episode of Not Another CEO Podcast, David Politis sits down with Itamar Friedman, Co-Founder and CEO of Qodo, to explore the impact of AI-driven software development. 

Itamar shares insights on how AI can enhance code integrity, optimize developer workflows, and shape the future of software engineering. From his entrepreneurial journey to the latest advancements in AI, Itamar dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of bringing AI into software development.
 
Takeaways:
  • From Research to Entrepreneurship: Itamar shares his journey from studying AI to co-founding Qodo, discussing how his background in machine learning and software engineering led to his mission of improving code quality.
  • AI-Powered Code Integrity: AI isn’t just about generating code—it’s about ensuring its accuracy and efficiency. Itamar explains how Qodo is redefining software testing by automating code validation and catching potential issues early in development.
  • Challenges of Building AI for Developers: Unlike other AI applications, coding tools must be highly reliable. Itamar breaks down the unique hurdles of building AI that developers can trust and seamlessly integrate into their workflows.
  • The Role of AI in Software Testing: Traditional software testing methods are time-consuming and often inefficient. Itamar discusses how AI-driven test generation is changing the landscape, making development faster and more reliable.
  • Scaling an AI Startup: Bringing an AI-powered tool to market requires balancing innovation with practicality. Itamar shares his experience of scaling Qodo, attracting early adopters, and iterating based on developer feedback.
  • Ethical Considerations in AI Development: With AI playing a bigger role in critical processes, ethical concerns are inevitable. Itamar reflects on responsible AI development, the risks of automation, and how companies can build AI that benefits users.
  • The Future of AI in Development Workflows: Looking ahead, Itamar shares his predictions for how AI will continue to transform software engineering, from fully automated debugging to more intelligent coding assistants.

Quote of the Show:
  • “I'm not saying that technical people should give up on that. Actually that's our superpower.” - Itamar Friedman

Links:

Ways to Tune In:

#NotAnotherCEO #BusinessSuccess #Qodo

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:36 What You’d Do Again As CEO
06:02 Transitioning to CEO
14:27 The Role of AI in Software Development
21:28 Challenges and Insights as a First-Time CEO
32:21 Finding the First Customers
36:57 Strong Content and Alpha Code
38:22 Product-Led Growth and Sales Strategy
42:08 Fundraising Journey and Investor Alignment
51:57 Challenges and Vision for AI in Coding
54:59 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Personal Life
01:04:31 Advice to Younger Self
01:07:49 Outro

Creators and Guests

Host
David Politis
Producer
Alex Fischer
Guest
Itamar Friedman

What is Not Another CEO Podcast?

Our mission is to bend the curve for Founders and CEOs.

At Not Another CEO, we know there’s no formula for running a business. Leadership is forged through unique journeys, real challenges, and hard lessons. Our exclusive content showcases unfiltered stories and practical guidance from those who’ve crawled through the trenches. Our platform offers the largest library of CEO insights and how-to guides, sourced directly from a diverse community of leaders.

Find our full video library, detailed playbooks, deep dives, and lessons learned on our Substack here ➡️ https://notanotherceo.substack.com/