Stephen Walters, Field CTO, GitLab on AI’s Role in DevOps, & Developer Evolution

In this raw and revealing episode of Discover Dialogues, Stephen Walters, Field CTO at GitLab, sits down with host Vikramsinh Ghatge to unpack the real-world impact—and pitfalls—of AI in DevOps. Stripping away the hype, they dive deep into the shifting role of developers, the hidden dangers of AI-generated code, and what enterprises must do to stay ahead.

Episode Snapshot:

AI and DevOps are reshaping enterprise technology—but not without friction. Stephen Walters brings sharp insights from hands-on experience, including a shocking case where an AI-generated system spanning over 3 million lines of code led to hundreds of security flaws. The culprit? The AI didn’t actually "think"—it simply produced code without understanding the context or consequences.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why AI won’t eliminate developers—but will raise the bar for skills

• The security risks lurking in auto-generated code

• How tech leaders can balance AI hype with practical, long-term strategy

• Why human judgment still matters in an age of automation

• The need for ongoing investment in continuous learning and system improvement

If you're a DevOps professional, technology leader, or developer curious about how AI is reshaping the engineering landscape, this conversation offers real-world clarity on what’s working—and what’s not.