The right tool for the job: AI, open source, and developer productivity

Lessons from the field on using AI to augment your workflow, not replace it.

JJ Asghar, developer advocate at IBM, sat down with the All Things Open team to share his perspective on open source AI, productivity, and lessons learned from coaching softball.

Read more: Getting started with Ollama

JJ shared why he believes open source AI is the future, describing it as “hero AI” that brings transparency and collaboration to the tech space. Unlike walled-garden solutions, open source AI encourages community-driven innovation, allowing developers to verify, adapt, and build on the work of others. This approach, he explained, positions AI as a tool to augment developers rather than replace them, letting teams automate mundane tasks while maintaining control over code quality.

Drawing parallels between softball coaching and software development, JJ highlighted the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and practice. On the field and in development, focusing on accuracy over raw power helps teams build solutions that are both sustainable and reliable. He also noted that recognizing “students of the game” in both environments, those who understand the nuances deeply, can help elevate the whole team’s performance.

When it comes to productivity, JJ still relies on tools like Vim, which he calls his “old standby,” allowing him to edit code efficiently and think at the speed of development. Beyond personal tools, he emphasized using the right AI or software tool for the right job, and advised the community to invest time learning different technologies to apply them effectively in real-world scenarios.

Key takeaways

• Open source AI provides transparency and collaboration, helping developers augment their workflows without losing control.
• Lessons from coaching and team management reinforce principles of collaboration, accuracy, and mentorship in development.
• Productivity relies on mastering the right tools, from Vim to AI applications, and understanding how to apply them appropriately.

JJ’s advice for developers is simple yet powerful: Use the right tool for the right job, stay curious, and leverage community-driven open source AI to build smarter, more reliable solutions.

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