‘Machine looms have arrived’: Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu on AI transforming software development

Sridhar Vembu, the Chief Scientist at Zoho, has recently illustrated a remarkable instance of how artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of software development within the company. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Vembu shared that a seasoned engineer from Zoho's R&D team single-handedly created an advanced assembly and machine-code security tool in just one month—a task that usually requires a team of three to four engineers nearly a year to finish. Vembu expressed his surprise upon seeing the tool for the first time, stating he had no idea the engineer was even working on it. "I was taken aback by the depth and breadth of the tool," he remarked, highlighting not only the complexity of the software but also the remarkable speed at which it was developed. The engineer attributed his success to the Opus 4.5 AI model, which he noted was a game changer. Initially skeptical about AI-generated code, he explained to Vembu how the model revolutionized his approach, allowing him to make rapid strides in developing this specialized tool. Vembu characterized this incident as a reflection of Zoho's internal culture, which fosters an environment where engineers are encouraged to pursue independent experimentation and explore novel ideas without stringent oversight. "This is how we learn in Zoho—we allow intelligent individuals to experiment and discover new paths," he emphasized. He further elaborated on the broader consequences of AI for the software industry, comparing traditional software development to handloom weaving, now facing competition from the emergence of "powerful machine looms" represented by advanced AI systems. "The implications are vast," Vembu noted, adding that Zoho is feeling the urgency to evolve. As the Chief Scientist, he recognizes the crucial role he plays in steering the company through this transformative period, concluding his post with a candid reminder: "At Zoho, we have our work cut out… Wish us luck." Vembu encapsulated the moment by likening it to a conductor of an orchestra who can deliver a complex musical performance all on their own, without assistance from others.