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

AI in DevOps can speed up coding—but at what cost? This episode reveals security risks, developer shifts, and why human thinking still matters.

In this straight-talking episode of Discover Dialogues, Stephen Walters, Field CTO at GitLab, sits down with host Vikramsinh Ghatge to unpack the realities of AI in DevOps. From critical security gaps to the evolving role of developers, the conversation goes beyond the buzz to spotlight what’s truly unfolding in the era of AI-assisted engineering.

Episode Overview:

AI and DevOps are among the most transformative forces in tech today—but what happens when they intersect? Stephen Walters shares hard-hitting lessons from real-world use cases, including a staggering example: an AI-generated codebase with over 3 million lines introduced hundreds of vulnerabilities. The problem? The AI produced code without truly “understanding” it.

This episode dives into:

• Why AI won’t replace developers—but will push them to level up

• The hidden security pitfalls of machine-generated code

• How leaders must move beyond the hype and invest in skills

• Why critical thinking is still essential in automated pipelines

• The need for ongoing investment in team learning and improvement

Whether you're a DevOps leader, CTO, or hands-on developer, this episode delivers valuable insights into the balance between automation and human expertise.