Is GenAI Digital Cocaine? Lessons...

Is GenAI Digital Cocaine? Lessons from a CTO with Sergio Visinoni

Shipping Excellence by Andrew Duncan
E9
Aug 26, 2025
29:35

Episode notes

In this episode of Shipping Excellence, Andrew Duncan sits down with Sergio Visinoni — a seasoned technology leader turned solopreneur, advisor, and fractional CTO. Sergio shares insights from his provocative article “Is GenAI Digital Cocaine?” and explores the parallels between generative AI, social media, and productivity hacks that may carry hidden costs.

We dive into:

  • Why Sergio believes over-reliance on GenAI could weaken cognitive skills
  • The lessons he brings from 20+ years as a software engineer, VP of Engineering, and CTO
  • His journey from corporate leadership to solopreneurship and advisory work
  • How his newsletter Pseudo Make Me a CTO helps engineering leaders grow
  • The balance between productivity gains and long-term impacts of new technologies

About Sergio Visinoni: Sergio is a solopreneur in the tech space with over two decades of experience. He advises companies as a fractional CTO, coaches engineering leaders, and writes the popular newsletter Pseudo Make Me a CTO.

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