To infocom and Christos Kotsakas
Digital transformation is now a daily condition of operation, competition and growth for businesses. As organizations invest more in technology, automation and artificial intelligence, the role of the Software Developer is changing rapidly. It is no longer limited to writing code but extends to designing systems, understanding business goals and converting technology into measurable value.
In this new environment, one question becomes particularly interesting: what makes a Developer exceptional in 2026? Talking to John Lagonikas, Information Systems Engineer and Managing Director of Microbase, it becomes clear that the modern software engineer is evolving from an order-follower to a professional with a strategic role. As he explains, responsibilities in the industry have shifted from traditional IT infrastructure management to taking responsibility for the organization’s goals, such as higher EBITDA growth rates and increased ROI. Technology, in other words, is not treated as one of the costs that must be contained but as an investment that must yield results.
The thinking behind the code
This transition requires a rare combination of technical excellence and strategic skills. Mr Lagonikas emphasizes that strong Developers no longer stand out only for the programming languages they know or the tools they use, but for the quality of their thinking. Software development, as far as it is still possible for humans, is described by him as a process of deep understanding and analysis, where global thinking plays a leading role.
Even when AI takes on a greater part in software production, the Developer, with a more expanded role, will be the one who will pull its strings. The abstract and global mindset that he/she must cultivate will help him/her in this. As a mature professional, he/she simultaneously examines performance, reliability, maintainability and user experience. That is, he/she combines strong technical skills and a clear understanding of both the technology and the business needs and the market.
Strong Developers no longer stand out only for
the programming languages they know or the tools they use,
but for the quality of their thinking.
Another key characteristic in the industry is the interpretation given by the Developer, more than the implementation itself, in order to transform complexity into a manageable advantage and ensure that the project adds real value to the business. This is the bet that he/she must win to thrive, since the result of his/her work is directly linked to the development of an organization. The Managing Director of Microbase thus highlights the critical attitude as a key pillar of professionalism.
This ability becomes even more important in a period where AI enters software production directly and dynamically. The Developer should be able to filter, evaluate and correct the result of its work, instead of accepting it uncritically. From an executive, his/her role becomes strategic, acquiring strong responsibility for business benefit, ROI and speed of implementation for the end-user or customer.
From code production to AI control
Continuing the discussion, Mr Lagonikas emphasizes that, as we are going through a transitional period of rapid technological development, the very description of the position takes on a different meaning. The Developer must know what is happening “behind the code”, how the different levels of a system communicate and how individual decisions affect the overall operation of an application or platform.
However, when his/her role has entered a time-saving phase, AI will produce, and the Developer will monitor, control and correct. In other words, where the Developer used to say, “I write code”, he/she will say, “I control AI” and “I design systems”. We enter a different working mode, but always with the goal of simplicity at the end of the day. “Simplicity is not an indication of a lack of knowledge, but the result of deep understanding,” he notes characteristically.
Where the Developer used to say, “I write code”, he/she will say,
“I control AI” and “I design systems”.
But beyond technical and strategic skills, Mr Lagonikas highlights how essential characteristics are love for the subject, creativity and an exploratory spirit. Development is acquiring a new, upgraded definition, and professionals in the field are called upon to prepare for it. It is not enough to know the technologies of one’s time. One must have the disposition to search, test, question and learn constantly.
The Developer as a Strategic Orchestrator
The new role of the Developer will be more modern, more complex and closer to the core of the business operation. A good Developer will write perhaps 30–50% less manual code but will have a greater influence on design, strategy and AI orchestration. This means that their value will not be measured only by the amount of code they produce but by their ability to design correctly, to guide smart tools and to connect technology with the final result.
Looking to the future, Mr Lagonikas underlines that the “implicit expectations” from the Developer of tomorrow will be the combination of all of the above: abstract and global thinking, critical thinking and genuine love for the subject. In this context, Greece seems to be gaining an upgraded role on the European map of digital innovation, with IT schools remaining full and demand remaining high.
The “implicit expectations” from the Developer of tomorrow will be the combination of all of the above: abstract and global thinking, critical thinking and genuine love for the subject.
His advice to young talents is to adopt the mindset of a “lifelong learner” or, better yet, an “explorer”. In a rapidly changing field, the ability to constantly evolve is what will allow one not only to achieve their personal ambitions, but also to truly stand out in the global job market, transforming technology into art and knowledge into a strategic advantage.
The interview was published in infocom magazine in June 2026 (in Greek).
