Recap: Software Should Work 2026

I recently had the chance to attend my very first software conference, titled Software Should Work 1, which took place in Columbia, Missouri. Throughout the event, I found several key takeaways that I believe are worth sharing. Software has become an integral part of our daily lives, from our phones and homes to cars and medical devices. It's essential that software serves the needs of its users effectively, working seamlessly in the background without causing any inconvenience or privacy concerns.

Throughout the conference, there were several themes that stood out to me. One of the most significant is how software has transformed our society and how it should focus on serving user needs while being invisible and frictionless. While some technologies, such as TCP/IP and Linux, are now taken for granted, they have significantly improved our computing experiences without users even realizing it.

However, other problems persist, and the root cause seems to be a combination of AI, market pressure, and careless actions by individuals.

Another prominent theme was the importance of free and open-source software as a means to maintain the social contract of software. Despite the increasing influence of AI, I believe people, collectively, care about their fellow humans. This is why I'm hopeful that open-source software will continue to play a crucial role in preserving our trust in the software industry.

AI has undoubtedly changed the landscape of software development, both positively and negatively. While it can write code faster and save time, the real value lies in our domain expertise and the insights we gain from interacting with customers and teammates. Overusing AI may weaken our understanding of the domain, so striking a balance is crucial. I'm particularly excited about formal methods, as they offer a powerful tool for problem-solving and help prevent vulnerabilities.

In conclusion, the Software Should Work conference was an enlightening and invigorating experience. It reminded me of the excitement of being a software engineer and the importance of human connections in an increasingly AI-driven world. I left the conference with renewed hope and a stronger commitment to using AI responsibly while continuing to innovate and find simpler solutions to complex problems.