These Software Agencies will Survive the AI Wave | The Ehmad Zubair Show ft. Umair Javed

Описание: In this episode of The Ehmad Zubair Show, Umair Javed, CEO & Founder of Tkxel, one of Pakistan's most established tech companies — answers the question every engineer and founder is asking: is AI about to make software companies irrelevant? Spoiler: it's not that simple. Umair breaks down what AI actually is in 2026 — commoditized intelligence available through APIs — and why most of the "AI work" people talk about isn't really creating AI at all. He explains why companies that struggled weren't killed by AI but by bad timing and dried-up funding, and why the demand for software and digital transformation is only getting bigger. He also shares his learn, earn, scale philosophy and calls out the biggest mistake he sees founders and engineers making — jumping straight to scaling without putting in the work to actually learn. From the real meaning of "AI engineer" to why businesses are spending more cautiously but building more aggressively, this is a grounded, no-fluff conversation about where tech is actually headed. If you're a student, developer, or aspiring founder trying to figure out your next move in the age of AI, this one's for you. Drop your thoughts in the comments — we'd love to hear what you think!

-
Chapters

00:00 - Introduction & The AI Question
02:26 - What Does AI Mean for Tech Founders?
06:41 - Is AI a Bubble?
07:56 - Impact on Software Companies & Body Shops
12:06 - The Changing Vocabulary & Market Dynamics
16:22 - Which Markets Are AI Targeting?
19:24 - The New Role of Software Companies
22:57 - What is an "AI Engineer"?
25:31 - Future Demand & Opportunities
27:02 - GTM Strategy & Market Selection
31:05 - Enterprise Reality & Timelines
34:04 - Repositioning Your Company
36:38 - Practical Advice for 25-Person Companies
40:23 - The Adaptation Challenge
44:14 - Learning & Domain Knowledge
47:31 - Market Opportunities & Research
53:27 - Tecsol's Pivot & Strategy
59:18 - When Did the Pivot Start?
1:02:03 - Consulting with Accountability
1:04:37 - Entry Strategies & Opportunities
1:07:46 - Market Segments & ICP
1:09:20 - The University Analogy
1:13:00 - Infrastructure & The Big Picture
1:15:37 - Personal Journey & Ambition
1:18:40 - Understanding Different Ceilings
1:20:26 - When Do People Really Want It?
1:22:37 - Most Valued Skills as a Founder
1:24:13 - Curiosity + Problem Solving
1:25:34 - Final Advice: Know Your Superpower
1:26:52 - Closing Thoughts

-
For Guest Recommendations:
👉 https://forms.gle/DhSSd9WDBsFTNKZs9

For 1-1 career guidance and mentorship:
👉 https://topmate.io/ehmadzubair/158221

Want to work with me as a Software Engineer?
👉 https://cogent-labs.hirestream.io/car...