Platforms that scale with AI: Spec-first engineering in practice

Software development platforms were built around a code-first assumption. AI breaks that model by making code abundant while clarity of intent becomes scarce. This session explores how spec-first development restores intent as the primary artifact of platform engineering.

The talk explains why prompt-driven workflows fail to scale and how structured specifications become a durable source of truth for AI-assisted platforms. Using Kiro IDE as a concrete example, it demonstrates how specifications guide generation, validation, and evolution without sacrificing governance.

Attendees will learn how platform teams can:
• Transition from code-centric to intent-centric workflows
• Design platforms that remain effective as AI capabilities scale
• Treat specifications as a product surface for developers
• Redefine developer roles as orchestrators rather than code producers

This session focuses on engineering discipline, not tools, and shows how spec-first thinking enables reliable, scalable platform engineering in an AI-driven world.