‘Shipping features in a day that took weeks’ thanks to AI, says Sridhar Vembu

Sridhar Vembu, co-founder and chief scientist of Zoho, has provided insights into how artificial intelligence is transforming operations within the company. He emphasized that while AI tools are integrated into the workflow, engineers are still responsible for validating and approving the code produced. In a recent post, Vembu noted, "We utilize AI coding tools throughout the organization, but it is essential for engineers to review all outputs and take ownership of their work." He stressed that Zoho does not mandate the use of AI tools, allowing experienced engineers the discretion to choose how to incorporate AI into their projects. During his discussions with a highly productive engineer at Zoho, who has nearly two decades of experience and is currently engaged in intricate UI tasks, Vembu learned that the engineer has been able to complete what would normally take three weeks in just one day, thanks to AI assistance. Vembu clarified that while AI enhances productivity, human expertise remains crucial. The engineer provided the foundational structure, while AI helped develop the finer details, highlighting AI's role as an enabler rather than a substitute. Additionally, Vembu shared a success story involving a less experienced team member who utilized AI to create an internal tool that is now being embraced by various teams across the company. The senior engineer remarked that the tool would not have been possible without AI, illustrating how AI is empowering younger engineers to achieve results that might have previously been unattainable. Overall, Vembu expressed optimism about AI's potential in user interface development, stating, "For UI work, my outlook on AI is very positive." He clarified that his comments reflect collective experiences at Zoho, separate from his personal research initiatives. This perspective underscores the tangible ways AI is reshaping daily engineering tasks within the company.