In this interview, Uwe Friedrichsen, CTO at Codecentric, shares his insights on the future of software architecture. He discusses why resilience has become an essential factor in modern software systems, the urgent need for cultural change within organizations, and how architects can make better decisions in the context of sustainability. Uwe challenges the industry's focus on efficiency and emphasizes the importance of empathy, simplicity, and purpose in shaping successful software architectures.

Uwe also tackles the complex issue of Generative AI (GenAI), weighing its value against the environmental cost and exploring how AI can be leveraged effectively without mindless consumption of resources. He stresses the need for architects to balance technical choices with ecological sustainability and argues that architectural decisions should always prioritize creating value and long-term resilience, not just short-term efficiency gains.

In this interview, Uwe dives deep into how organizations and software architects can move beyond traditional models to create systems that are resilient, sustainable, and truly effective.

Key Takeaways:

1. Resilience is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for competitiveness and long-term viability in unpredictable environments.
2. Efficiency shouldn’t overshadow effectiveness—doing the right thing matters more than doing things quickly.
3. Software architecture must consider ecological sustainability and reduce unnecessary resource consumption.
4. Generative AI can create value, but it also poses significant environmental challenges that need to be addressed.
5. Empathy and strong communication skills are crucial for architects to lead teams and make reasoned, impactful decisions.

This interview is a must-watch for anyone interested in creating more resilient and sustainable software architectures and taking a more holistic approach to their work.