Using AI Selectively: What to Automate and What to Keep Human

Ale Thomas is a software engineer and developer experience leader whose AI work across engineering, education, and creative has led to her developing a practical approach to automating workflows.

In this session, Ale breaks down what it means to use AI with intention and get the real productivity gains that it promises. As AI becomes more capable, the advantage quickly becomes knowing what not to automate. This helps the best workers eliminate busywork while protecting the judgment, creativity, and problem-solving skills that set them apart.

This session is for all professionals across product, engineering, marketing, and beyond who want to work faster without losing their edge. You'll leave with a practical framework for deciding where AI belongs in your workflow and where human expertise still matters most.

What to expect:

• A framework for deciding when AI should, and shouldn't, be part of your workflow
• High-leverage AI use cases across engineering and knowledge work
• Common mistakes that lead to over-automation and lower-quality outcomes
• Strategies for freeing up more time for decision-making and creativity