“AI is my extra colleague who’s always available”
Four years ago, Bas started as a software engineer at Agri Information Partners. Since then, he has seen the profession change significantly, especially the way he works himself. Where he used to write code independently and figure out solutions on his own, he now works with AI every single day. Within Agri Information Partners (AIP), AI has become a natural part of the daily workflow for software engineers.
In Bas’s development environment, AI is integrated directly into the tools he uses. While writing code, he can ask questions, assign tasks, or request suggestions on the spot. Sometimes, he even lets AI create a plan first before making any changes. That way, he keeps a clear overview of what’s about to happen before code is actually modified.
“AI is basically running alongside me all the time,” Bas says. “It helps with small things, but also with larger changes.”
The biggest difference is the speed of working. Tasks that used to be repetitive, like setting up new files or creating a basic structure, are now largely handled automatically. That means Bas spends less time on manual steps and can focus more on the actual logic and quality of the solution.
He also uses AI as a kind of sparring partner during development. A quick check to see whether an approach makes sense, or a question about how something could be structured more efficiently.
“I see it as a kind of junior developer that thinks along with me,” he explains.
And that comparison is intentional. AI can handle a lot of work and often comes up with useful suggestions, but it still lacks the full overview and context that an experienced developer has.
Sometimes AI proposes a solution that looks perfectly reasonable at first glance, but turns out not to work well in practice or simply doesn’t fit within the existing architecture. It can also confidently suggest something that is completely wrong.
“It can sound very convincing while proposing something that later turns out to be impossible,” Bas says.
That’s why human oversight remains an essential part of the process. Bas reviews what AI produces, adjusts where needed, and makes sure everything fits seamlessly into the larger system. In that sense, AI really behaves more like a junior colleague: someone who can pick up work quickly and contribute a lot, but still needs guidance to reach the best result.
That way of collaborating has clear advantages. It speeds up development and makes it easier to move forward quickly, while quality remains safeguarded because the developer stays in control.
AI is also being used to learn new technologies faster. When working with tools or techniques the team has little experience with, AI can help developers take the first steps. That lowers the barrier to trying something new and encourages continuous learning and growth.
Within Agri Information Partners, this contributes to a way of working where efficiency and craftsmanship go hand in hand. AI supports wherever it can, but in the end, it’s still the developer who decides what gets built.
As Bas sums it up:
“It saves me a huge amount of time, but ultimately I’m responsible for what we deliver.”
And that’s exactly where the strength lies: a smart assistant that’s always available, combined with the experience and insight of the developer behind the keyboard.