Tech Pioneer Sridhar Vembu Questions Legacy Systems Amid AI Revolution

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu questions the survival of core technologies like C programming language and SQL in an era of AI, urging the tech community to rethink the foundations of computing for a more robust and secure digital future. His post sparked a discussion on the potential impact of AI on the tech industry, with some users envisioning a future of seamless, immersive experiences and others expressing concerns about the accessibility and reliability of AI systems.

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has sparked a significant debate in the tech community by questioning the longevity of core technologies such as C programming language and SQL in an era dominated by AI. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Vembu raised concerns about the suitability of these technologies for the next century and the need for a fundamental rethinking of computing foundations [1].

The post, which has garnered considerable attention, highlighted the complexity of modern web development and the potential for AI to drive a shift away from legacy systems. Vembu argues that AI could accelerate the move towards more robust and secure digital infrastructure, challenging the tech community to look beyond incremental updates and start building for the future.

The discussion has led to a range of responses, with some users expressing concern about the future accessibility and reliability of AI systems. Others envision a future where today’s interfaces dissolve into seamless, immersive experiences, and data is clearly split between user-owned and global. Many agreed that much of the current tech stack persists due to inertia rather than optimal design, and with accelerating change, the next 100 years could bring either a tech-driven utopia or dystopia.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous driving subsidiary, has reached a significant milestone by completing 10 million fully autonomous paid rides as of May 20, 2025 [2]. This achievement underscores the rapid advancement of AI-driven mobility and has significant implications for both the stock market and the cryptocurrency sector. The milestone has driven positive sentiment for AI-related crypto tokens and stocks, with tokens such as Fetch.ai (FET) and SingularityNET (AGIX) seeing increased trading activity and price surges following the announcement.

In conclusion, Sridhar Vembu’s post serves as a reminder of the need for the tech community to pause and reflect on the future of software development. As AI continues to reshape various industries, the question of whether we are merely patching old systems or reimagining them for the future remains pertinent. The success of Waymo's autonomous vehicle technology further validates the practical application of AI, boosting investor confidence in AI-focused cryptocurrencies and driving interest in the broader tech and crypto markets.

References:
[1] https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/zohos-sridhar-vembu-asks-the-question-every-techie-fears-will-javascript-c-html/css-survive-ai/articleshow/121432463.cms
[2] https://blockchain.news/flashnews/waymo-achieves-10-million-fully-autonomous-paid-rides-impact-on-crypto-and-ai-stocks