This Will Change Everything – Philip Faraj on AI, Innovation and the Future of Work | Ep 229 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Andrew Romeo is joined by Philip H. Faraj, Senior VP of Business Development at Endava. Based in Sydney, Philip brings a decade of experience in digital transformation, consulting, and strategic growth across global markets. Formerly with Accenture Interactive and Fjord, he has helped organisations evolve their product and platform strategies in step with rapidly shifting technologies. In this conversation, Andrew and Philip dive deep into the practical, philosophical, and disruptive impact of AI—from transforming product development cycles to redefining how businesses engage with customers. With AI no longer just a tool but a core part of modern strategy, this episode explores how businesses can adapt, survive, and thrive in the age of acceleration.

Philip shares how Endava is leveraging AI to modernise legacy systems and revolutionise software delivery. These tools can now map dependencies, extract business rules, and validate product ideas in a fraction of the time previously required, streamlining innovation while preserving strategic alignment. Both speakers reflect on how Agile has become bloated in large organisations, with AI offering a new path to efficiency. Rather than replace human input, Philip views AI as an “always-on” collaborator that augments product discovery and helps stakeholders ask better questions.

The conversation then turns philosophical, likening AI’s emergence to the leap from hand tools to industrial cranes. Andrew notes how AI is empowering organisations to innovate at speed, but Philip adds a crucial twist: we still don’t fully know what we’re building. Customer experiences are no longer static; they’re omnipresent, shaped by AI-driven interfaces and agents that respond to fluid, contextual needs. Drawing inspiration from the early days of the web and the bold leaps made by pioneers like the founder of Kazaa and Skype, Philip makes the case for courage in the face of uncertainty. It’s not just a technological shift—it’s a cultural one.

Philip also outlines how AI is reshaping industries like travel, turning form-based interactions into conversational, context-aware experiences. Imagine a traveller simply describing what they want: “warm weather, kid-friendly, near a beach”, and receiving intelligent itinerary suggestions. As consumer expectations evolve, businesses must rethink how they market, engage, and deliver. The same shift is occurring in product design, where scenario-based simulations powered by AI are replacing traditional 12-week discovery sprints. This democratisation of tools has lowered the barrier to innovation, though Andrew and Philip stress the continued importance of critical thinking amidst the convenience of automation.

In closing, the discussion explores the rise of agentic AI, autonomous agents that can act as developers, product managers, or solution architects. Philip explains how these AI agents are being deployed to modernise old tech stacks, reimagine platform strategy, and drive scalable, modular software development. Rather than simply “lift and shift” legacy systems, the focus is on building composable architectures that evolve with user needs and market conditions. As they reflect on the existential implications of these shifts, from job transformation to the uncertain future of education, both Andrew and Philip acknowledge that we’re in uncharted territory. Yet, the takeaway is clear: those who are willing to adapt, question, and build alongside technology will shape the next wave of progress.

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