Beyond Code: How AI Is Redefining the Engineer’s Role

Engineering is changing as AI becomes a more active part of how software is designed, tested and operated. The shift is also changing the decisions engineers are expected to make. Writing reliable code remains fundamental. Increasingly, engineers also need to understand how a system will behave in a live business environment, how people will use it and what happens when the information available to the system is incomplete.

Automotive retail makes this especially interesting because technology rarely operates in isolation. A dealership brings together sales, inventory, financing, service, parts, customer communication and several technology platforms. An engineering decision made in one workflow can influence several others.

AI is already becoming part of this environment. A 2025 study of automotive dealerships found that 39% of dealers were using AI, with another 27% planning to adopt it within the following year. Among dealerships already using AI, 69% said it had positively affected their business.

The opportunity for engineers therefore extends beyond adding AI capabilities to existing products. The harder work lies in understanding where intelligence can genuinely improve a process.

Consider something as familiar as responding to a sales lead. AI can interpret information, prioritise an enquiry and help generate a relevant response within seconds. Yet the usefulness of that response depends on the quality of the data, the customer's context, available inventory and the way the dealership actually operates. Engineering the capability requires an understanding of that wider system.

The same principle applies across automotive retail. Earlier research found that 54% of respondents identified providing Service and Parts updates to customers as a challenge, while 44% were concerned about converting sales leads. These are operational problems with a technology dimension, rather than problems that can be solved through technology alone.

This is where domain understanding becomes increasingly valuable for engineers. Knowing how a dealership works can help an engineer recognise dependencies that may remain invisible when looking at code or data in isolation. It can also help teams distinguish between an output that is technically accurate and one that is genuinely useful to the person receiving it.

The expectations dealerships have of AI reinforce this point. In the 2025 study, 63% said AI solutions need comprehensive automotive industry data, while 47% wanted predictive models trained by automotive experts. The technology may be sophisticated, but its value depends heavily on the context built into it.

That changes the skill set engineering teams need to cultivate. Technical depth remains essential, alongside an ability to understand business processes, interrogate data, anticipate unusual scenarios and evaluate the consequences of how a system responds.

AI can help engineers execute certain tasks faster and explore problems at a scale that was previously difficult. It also gives them more complex systems to reason about.

For the next generation of engineers, one of the most valuable capabilities may therefore be understanding the environment around the technology as deeply as the technology itself.

Better engineering will increasingly come from recognising what the system needs to achieve in the real world, then designing intelligence around that understanding.

About Mr. Sandeep Kumar Jain

Mr. Sandeep Kumar Jain, the Managing Director of CDK, India, is a seasoned technology leader with a proven track record in building and scaling complex software products. With extensive experience in managing large global teams, he has a knack for fostering high-performance cultures and driving strategic initiatives. Before joining CDK, Sandeep led the India division of Core Security, where he successfully launched several innovative products. His contributions were recognized with prestigious awards, including Best Employee and Leadership Excellence.

At CDK, Sandeep has consistently delivered exceptional results. He played a pivotal role in building the Connected Store product for NADA, driving significant business growth. His expertise in process improvement is evident in his successful implementation of CMMI and Agile methodologies.

Sandeep's current responsibilities include overseeing engineering and product teams, collaborating with business stakeholders, and driving strategic initiatives. His strong leadership skills, coupled with his technical acumen, make him a valuable asset to any organization.

About CDK Global

CDK Global is a leading technology solutions provider for the automotive retail industry in India. It is a US-based company whose Indian headquarters is in Hyderabad. The company offers a range of software solutions including CDK Drive, CDK Connected Store, and CDK Global DMS, which streamline dealership operations and enhance the customer experience. CDK Global also offers professional services such as training, consulting, and support to help Indian dealerships achieve their business goals. The company's commitment to innovation and excellence has made it a trusted partner to dealerships of all sizes across the country.

CDK Global has been making significant strides in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within the automotive retail industry. CDK Global uses AI to analyze data and provide insights into consumer behavior, market trends, and inventory management. Its virtual assistants and chatbots use NLP to interact with customers and provide accurate information. The company's AI-powered inventory management system helps dealerships optimize their inventory by analyzing sales data and market trends.