As artificial intelligence reshapes the very core of technology, jobs, and business models, many professionals are asking a critical question: how can we stay relevant? Cisco’s Chief Product Officer, Jeetu Patel, has an answer — especially for software engineers navigating this AI-driven future.
In a recent conversation, Patel shared two key skills that engineers should master to future-proof their careers and remain indispensable in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
1. Problem Framing — Not Just Solving
According to Patel, one of the most underrated yet essential skills in the AI era is problem framing. While many engineers are trained to solve problems, fewer are equipped to identify and define the right problems to solve.
AI can generate solutions at scale, but it still relies heavily on human guidance to understand context, nuance, and intent. Engineers who can articulate business needs, frame problems precisely, and guide AI systems toward meaningful outcomes will be in high demand.
“AI is great at solving. But humans still need to frame the question,” said Patel.
This means moving beyond just coding — and toward understanding user pain points, product vision, and business impact.
2. Systems Thinking — Understanding the Bigger Picture
The second skill Patel emphasizes is systems thinking — the ability to understand how different components interact within a complex architecture.
In AI-heavy environments, systems are no longer siloed. Data pipelines, model training, cloud infrastructure, and product interfaces must all work cohesively. Engineers who can zoom out and see the interdependencies — across security, scalability, ethics, and user experience — will have a significant edge.
Systems thinking helps engineers build with responsibility and foresight, anticipating ripple effects of every design choice.
Beyond Technical Skills
While deep knowledge of Python, ML models, or AI frameworks is still valuable, Patel’s guidance points to a deeper truth: success in the AI era isn’t just about what you know, but how you think.
It’s about blending technical acumen with strategic clarity — becoming not just a builder of technology, but a shaper of its purpose.
Final Thoughts
As AI continues to evolve, software engineers have an incredible opportunity to lead the next wave of innovation — not by competing with AI, but by collaborating with it intelligently. By honing skills like problem framing and systems thinking, engineers can become the architects of a smarter, more thoughtful digital future.
