Iqbal Abdullah
Iqbal Abdullah is a seasoned entrepreneur, software engineer, and longstanding champion of open-source communities. With more than two decades in Japan’s tech industry, he has been instrumental in advancing software development, SaaS entrepreneurship, and the Python community across Asia.
He is the founder and CEO of LaLoka Labs, creator of Kafkai, an AI-driven content generation platform. Previously, he established Xoxzo, a telephony SaaS company operating remotely until its acquisition in 2021. His career encompasses both engineering—at Yahoo! Japan—and business leadership at Amazon Japan.
A Python Software Foundation (PSF) Fellow, Iqbal co-founded PyCon JP and PyCon MY, contributed significantly to PyCon APAC, and served in PSF’s Diversity & Inclusion and Trademarks workgroups. His commitment to diversity in tech continues through open avenues for underrepresented groups. Most recently, he formed the non-profit Python Asia Organization, serving as Representative Director to foster greater collaboration among East and Southeast Asian Python communities.
Drawing on his passion for remote work, AI-driven solutions, and community-driven development, he brings a forward-looking perspective to the panel on “The Future of Software Engineering in the Age of AI.” His experience in building, scaling, and steering AI-driven and remote-first ventures makes him a leading voice in shaping the next era of software engineering.
PyCon APAC 2025 will be the 3rd time Iqbal is in Manila for PyCon and he is very happy of the fact.
Session
The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the landscape of software engineering, presenting both challenges and opportunities for developers. This study aims to raise awareness of these evolving changes, encouraging software professionals to critically assess AI’s impact on their workflows. By exploring strategies for adaptation, skill enhancement, and the responsible integration of AI tools, this research provides actionable insights into future-proofing careers in the field. The discussion highlights the necessity of continuous learning and strategic AI adoption to maximize efficiency while maintaining human oversight, ensuring that developers remain at the forefront of technological innovation.