Software developer Kenny Power looks with optimism to a future with more AI in it.

By Andrea Hart

As a senior software developer at Halifax-based social media software company Dash Hudson, Kenny Power (BCSc’19) is playing an instrumental role in driving the growth of Nova Scotia’s thriving tech industry.

He’s been a part of some major projects that include improving and building the features in the company’s platform which is used by large companies such as Apple, United, and Mejuri. Most recently, he built and led a large project for his team that focused on developing an extensive User Interface (UI) for a new product release.

As the tech industry continues its rapid expansion, Dash Hudson occupies a pivotal position in driving its growth in Nova Scotia. By recruiting numerous Dalhousie Faculty of Computer Science grads and working with leading brands such as Nespresso, Vevo, Hulu, and more, Dash Hudson—co-founded by Dalhousie alums, Thomas Rankin (MBA’04) and Tomek Niewiarowski (MCS’13) —is paving the way for innovation and excellence.

Embracing the future

Looking towards the future, Power is not blind to the expansion of the AI field. He predicts we’ll see more software tools based on AI models such as ChatGPT. Instead of fearing the growth, he welcomes it, he sees these tools boosting developer productivity and in turn, improving time maintenance.

He also believes Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as smart TVs, smart speakers and connected thermostats and home security systems are going to play an increasingly growing role in our daily lives, becoming integral components of both our urban infrastructure and household appliances.

“IoT is going to be very interesting to watch over the next few years,” says Power. “I believe we’re going to see a growing number of IoT devices integrated into our lives and infrastructure. We will see cities start to adopt the technologies more, as well as businesses and individuals. It will be exciting to watch the solutions that people come up with and see how they improve our daily lives.”

Foundational pillars for success

During Power’s time at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Computer Science, he learned that persistence in problem-solving and working collaboratively were both important and necessary skills to develop and better understand in the field of computer science, such as debugging software and working in a software team to tackle problems.

“My degree taught me that persistence in problem-solving is an important and necessary skill to develop,” says Power. “I learned that, especially with the resources we have available to us, given enough time you can figure out a solution to (almost) anything – no matter how lost or frustrated you may feel at first.”

Reflecting on his journey, Power shares an important piece of advice with even-more recent alumni include those who just graduated at Spring 2023’s Convocation: develop a strong foundation and never hesitate to ask questions.

“Having a solid grasp of the fundamentals is crucial because these concepts will always be relevant, no matter what technologies you end up encountering,” says Power.

“It’s also important to know how and when to ask the right questions and seek guidance from experienced team members. Effective communication and teamwork skills are equally essential, as they make you a valuable member of any software team.”