Key Points
- Freshworks CTO emphasises AI is shifting engineers toward higher-value problem solving
- Technical fundamentals and adaptability remain essential despite evolving tools
- Swaminathan called for greater experimentation with emerging technologies, alongside responsible application of new capabilities
Artificial intelligence is enabling engineers to take on more complex tasks and improve efficiency, but strong technical fundamentals and problem-solving abilities will remain essential as technology evolves, according to Murali Swaminathan, chief technology officer, Freshworks.
Swaminathan said engineers would play a defining role in India’s journey towards technological sovereignty and sustainability, with advances in AI opening up new opportunities for innovation.
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“As India advances towards a more sustainable and technologically sovereign future, engineers will play a defining role in shaping that journey,” he told TechObserver.in.
Technology has become more accessible, allowing individuals and organisations to develop solutions and address problems at a pace that was not possible earlier, he said.
“Today, technology is more accessible than ever before, empowering individuals and organisations to innovate, build, and solve problems at an unprecedented pace.”
Swaminathan said AI was accelerating this process by enabling engineers to concentrate on higher-value challenges while improving efficiency and innovation.
Engineering skills
With AI tools increasingly capable of handling parts of the software development process, engineers are having to adapt to new ways of working.
AI-assisted coding tools, for instance, can generate code, suggest fixes and assist with testing. Engineers, however, still need to understand the underlying systems and determine whether the output is suitable for its intended purpose.
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Swaminathan emphasised that technical expertise alone would not be enough for engineers working with emerging technologies.
“What sets great engineers apart is not just their technical expertise, but their curiosity, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning,” he said.
He added that the ability to understand problems and develop solutions would remain important regardless of how engineering tools change.
“While tools and technologies evolve, strong fundamentals and problem-solving abilities remain timeless.”
For engineers entering the profession, this means learning to use AI tools while continuing to build expertise in the underlying principles of engineering.
Swaminathan also called for greater experimentation with emerging technologies, alongside responsible application of new capabilities.
“Engineers who embrace change, experiment with new technologies, and apply them responsibly will be at the forefront of building solutions that create lasting impact,” he said.
Your Questions, Answered
How is AI changing engineering roles according to Freshworks?
According to Freshworks CTO Murali Swaminathan, AI is enabling engineers to focus on higher-value challenges by automating routine tasks, while core technical fundamentals and problem-solving abilities remain essential.
What skills does Freshworks say engineers need in the AI era?
Swaminathan emphasises that curiosity, adaptability and commitment to continuous learning set great engineers apart. While tools evolve, strong fundamentals and problem-solving abilities remain timeless.
What is Freshworks and where is it based?
Freshworks is a software-as-a-service company headquartered in Chennai, India. Founded in 2010, it provides customer engagement and IT service management products to over 67,000 businesses globally.
How many people work in India’s technology sector?
India’s technology services sector employs over five million professionals directly, according to Nasscom estimates, with engineering graduates forming the backbone of the workforce.