Mind the GeekConference50min
I Hired a Real Robot as My Junior Dev — and Now My Kids Don't Want to Learn Java Anymore
A humorous talk on how AI agents and desktop robots may commoditize coding while increasing the value of architecture, systems thinking, and product judgment. It explores a shift from typing code to directing agents in natural language, asking whether we’re training the last generation of developers.
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Jan Van WassenhoveSopra Steria
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Wednesday, October 7, 12:00-12:50
TBA 8
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For decades we taught software engineering through languages: Java, C#, Python, patterns, frameworks — because writing software was hard. But what if that’s no longer the hard part?
Take my son. He isn’t learning Java; he’s learning to turn ideas into products. He spins up ideas at the speed of boredom — a study companion app one week, a gaming crosshair overlay the next — shipping from idea to code to demo before the README has found its shoes.
Meanwhile I hired Reachy Mini, a real open-source desktop robot, as my junior developer. I direct it, it drives agents that code in parallel while I sleep. I’m not really a developer anymore — I’m running an agent factory with a robot foreman on my desk.
Part stand-up routine, part field report, part uncomfortable question: are we raising the last generation of developers, or the first generation of agentic builders?
We’ll explore the agentic inner loop: describe intent, provide context, let agents act, review output, tighten the spec, and loop again until something useful ships. My bet: writing software is becoming a commodity — but expertise isn’t. Architecture, systems thinking, integration, taste, validation and knowing what to build only get more valuable. The interface shifts from typing to talking, from directing code to directing agents — and yes, sometimes the robot still needs a stern code review.
Audience: developers, leads and architects who suspect their job is changing and would rather laugh about it than panic.
Take my son. He isn’t learning Java; he’s learning to turn ideas into products. He spins up ideas at the speed of boredom — a study companion app one week, a gaming crosshair overlay the next — shipping from idea to code to demo before the README has found its shoes.
Meanwhile I hired Reachy Mini, a real open-source desktop robot, as my junior developer. I direct it, it drives agents that code in parallel while I sleep. I’m not really a developer anymore — I’m running an agent factory with a robot foreman on my desk.
Part stand-up routine, part field report, part uncomfortable question: are we raising the last generation of developers, or the first generation of agentic builders?
We’ll explore the agentic inner loop: describe intent, provide context, let agents act, review output, tighten the spec, and loop again until something useful ships. My bet: writing software is becoming a commodity — but expertise isn’t. Architecture, systems thinking, integration, taste, validation and knowing what to build only get more valuable. The interface shifts from typing to talking, from directing code to directing agents — and yes, sometimes the robot still needs a stern code review.
Audience: developers, leads and architects who suspect their job is changing and would rather laugh about it than panic.
Jan Van Wassenhove
Jan Van Wassenhove is the Technical Director of the System Integrations Business Line for the BeLux region at Sopra Steria, where he drives technology solutions and services, supported by his team of architects. With a strong background in Java development, Jan has evolved into an experienced architect and project manager, with in-depth expertise in Agile methodologies.
Remarkably, he is also the initiator of “SCRUM”, a new programming language he conceived. This creation perfectly reflects his innovative mindset and constant drive to explore new technological territories — and proves, with a wink, that everyone really can become a SCRUM master… in code.
Throughout his career, he has contributed to numerous projects in both the public and private sectors, with a particular focus on banking and public administrations.
Remarkably, he is also the initiator of “SCRUM”, a new programming language he conceived. This creation perfectly reflects his innovative mindset and constant drive to explore new technological territories — and proves, with a wink, that everyone really can become a SCRUM master… in code.
Throughout his career, he has contributed to numerous projects in both the public and private sectors, with a particular focus on banking and public administrations.