Live Panel Recap: Women in DevOps 2025

In a LinkedIn Live panel discussion hosted by Melissa McKay, Head of Developer Relations at JFrog, thought leaders from NVIDIA, GitHub, and JFrog came together to discuss the transformative power of AI in modern software development. This session delved into three key topics: the integration of AI in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), strategies for enhancing developer productivity and happiness, and balancing innovation with security in the era of AI-driven development.

The Women In DevOps expert panel included:

• Krishna Nadiminti, Software Engineer Manager, NVIDIA
• Andrea Griffiths, Senior Developer Advocate, GitHub
• Shuba Gururaja Rao, Director of Solution Engineering, JFrog

1. The Role of AI in Modern SDLC

The discussion kicked off with a compelling conversation about AI’s evolving impact on SDLC. Our expert panelists unanimously agreed that AI is here to augment rather than replace developers. They also highlighted how AI automates mundane, repetitive tasks, allowing developers to channel their creativity and expertise into solving complex problems.

Key learnings:

• Coding Support: Tools like GitHub’s Copilot are revolutionizing code generation, helping developers write code faster and more accurately.
• Automation: AI is enhancing automated testing, security checks, and even code documentation, significantly reducing the development cycle time.
• Productivity Boost: By taking over tedious tasks, AI boosts productivity, allowing developers to focus on innovation and critical thinking.

2. Empowering Developer Productivity and Happiness

Krishna Nadiminti emphasized the role of internal tools and seamless integrations in removing development friction. At NVIDIA, tools like GitHub’s Copilot and the newly introduced NVIDIA inference models (NIMs) are being leveraged to streamline the development process.

Both Krishna and Andrea Griffiths highlighted the importance of fostering a culture that encourages the adoption of AI tools. They stressed the need to prioritize security, documentation, and a supportive community to ensure developers feel empowered and secure in their work.

Key learnings:

• Curated Tools: Use specialized tools and resources such as GitHub’s extensive ecosystem and NVIDIA’s developer site to stay ahead.
• Continuous Learning: Regular practice and experimentation with AI tools can help developers adapt and excel.
• Community Engagement: Being part of a developer community can provide valuable insights and support in leveraging AI effectively.

3. Balancing Innovation with Security

Shuba Gururaja Rao brought attention to the critical aspect of security in AI adoption. The panelists underscored the importance of understanding and mitigating security risks associated with AI tools. They also discussed the need for developers to validate the data and outputs provided by AI to prevent any potential vulnerabilities.

Key learnings:

• Internal Security Tools: Developing and utilizing homegrown security tools can help control and secure AI development.
• Educating Developers: Training programs and continuous education are essential in building a security-conscious developer community.
• Ethical AI Use: Developers must use AI responsibly, considering both ethical and legal implications, such as data privacy and copyright compliance.

In Sum

The Women in DevOps LinkedIn Live panel highlighted both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in modern software development. While AI has the potential to significantly enhance productivity and innovation, it also requires a careful approach to security and important ethical considerations. The consensus among our expert panelists was clear: AI is an enabler that, when used correctly, can elevate the entire development process and open new frontiers for innovation.

Melissa, Krishna, Andrea, and Shuba encourage attendees to explore the rich resources available through platforms like GitHub and NVIDIA’s developer portals, engage with their communities, and continuously seek out new ways to integrate AI into their workflows.

For all the insights, watch the recorded webinar on LinkedIn.