How AI Is Changing Software Development and Why Git Needs to Evolve | Ep 306 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Andrew Romeo, CEO and Co-Founder of Aerion Technologies and  Co-Founder of DevReady.Ai, sits down with Dan Borthwick, Founder of NiceGit, to explore how software development is evolving in the age of AI. Drawing on a career that spans early video game development, high-growth startups and product innovation, Dan shares the experiences that shaped his approach to building technology that empowers both technical and non-technical teams. From pioneering mobile and Facebook gaming to creating a simpler approach to source control, this conversation offers valuable insights for founders, product managers and anyone involved in building digital products.

Dan reflects on how a childhood fascination with computer games in the UK led him into software development, beginning with programming on early 8-bit and 16-bit computers. His career progressed through the rapidly evolving games industry, where he worked on cutting-edge mobile games before smartphones became mainstream and later helped shape the rise of Facebook gaming. He discusses the technical innovation, rapid experimentation and product thinking that defined those years, along with the ethical considerations surrounding gaming mechanics such as loot boxes. These experiences laid the foundation for his passion for creating products that solve real-world problems through better technology.

The discussion then turns to NiceGit and the growing challenge of collaboration in modern software development. Dan explains how his experience leading multidisciplinary teams inspired him to simplify source control for designers, writers, product managers and other contributors who increasingly play an active role in software projects. After conducting more than 80 user interviews and participating in leading startup accelerator programs, he discovered that product leaders, rather than developers alone, were driving demand for better collaboration tools. Together, Andrew and Dan explore how AI coding tools have accelerated software creation while exposing new workflow challenges that require a fresh approach to version control and team collaboration.

Dan also shares the lessons he learned from co-founding Pearlii, an AI-powered dental health startup that sought to identify dental conditions through smartphone images. He discusses the realities of building a deep tech company, including securing investment, collecting specialised datasets and ensuring founders share clear expectations from the outset. Although the venture ultimately closed, the experience reinforced the importance of customer validation, founder alignment and disciplined product strategy, all of which have influenced the way he has built NiceGit.

Looking ahead, Dan outlines his vision for NiceGit as the collaboration platform for the next generation of software creators. As AI continues to lower the barriers to building software, he believes teams need intuitive tools that make collaboration as straightforward as sharing files in cloud storage while still supporting professional development practices. The conversation highlights why productivity software requires extensive testing, why software quality depends on effective collaboration, and why the future of product development belongs to teams where technical and non-technical contributors can work together seamlessly.

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