In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with Ben Carle, CEO of FullStack Labs, to explore the real-world impact of AI in software development.
Ben is a PhD-trained computer scientist, engineering leader, and the driving force behind FullStack Labs, a software consultancy known for building AI-powered tools for enterprises that want scalable, modern applications.
Together, they unpack whether AI can truly replace engineers, how agentic AI is being used (and misunderstood), and what “code testing with AI” looks like in practice. Ben shares behind-the-scenes insights from FullStack’s internal AI systems, including a tool that now grades 80% of developer interviews, and how enterprise clients are adopting AI responsibly by starting with better data, stronger architecture, and measurable ROI.
Ben also shares practical lessons from the frontlines: how AI is transforming developer workflows, why junior engineers can't just "vibe code" with AI, and what engineering leaders need to know before integrating large language models into production environments.
With nearly a decade of experience scaling FullStack Labs, Ben brings a rare blend of technical depth and business clarity. His approach to AI adoption is grounded, ethical, and results-driven, making this episode a must-listen for engineers, product leaders, and founders navigating the future of software development.
Support This Podcast
To support our work, please check out our sponsors and get discounts: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/sponsors/
Takeaways
* AI helps senior devs, not replaces them.
* Agentic AI = smarter automation, not magic bots.
* AI testing is harder, so non-deterministic outcomes need new QA methods.
* FullStack's AI grades 80% of developer interviews.
* Enterprise clients focus on data readiness, not flashy tools.
* Proof-of-concept first: no ROI, no build.
* AI audits live phone calls for compliance more accurately than humans.
* Companies forget to capture training data from human workflows.
* AI is improving UX in complex spaces like healthcare.
* Vibe coding doesn’t work at enterprise scale.
* Trust in AI is growing, but slowly in large orgs.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
04:12 Ads
05:27 Navigating AI in Enterprise Solutions
06:38 Why Aren’t Enterprise Companies Jumping into AI
09:51 What Expertise Enterprises Lack
12:26 Quality Assurance in AI Applications
15:14 Internal AI Tools and Processes
18:08 How to Hire Developers
20:29 AI in Developer Assessment and Certification
21:42 AI is Changing Developers' Behavior
26:25 AI's Role in Software Design and Architecture
28:49 Use Cases and the Future of AI in Development
33:32 The Integration of AI in Software Development
41:12 Identifying Suitable Use Cases for AI
50:01 Navigating Challenges in AI Adoption
54:32 Preparing for the Future of AI
58:24 Agentic AI
Connect with Ben
* Website: https://www.fullstack.com/
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencarle/
Connect with Vit
* Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/
* X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin
Vit’s Projects
* Podcast: https://www.anhourofinnovation.com/
* AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.