Episode 237 - Building Bridges with Developers

Join Allen Firstenberg from Google Cloud Next 2025 as he sits down with Ankur Kotwal, Google's Global Head of Cloud Advocacy. In this episode of Two Voice Devs, Allen and Ankur dive deep into the world of Developer Relations (DevRel) at Google, discussing its crucial role as a bridge connecting Google's product teams and engineers with the global developer community.Ankur shares his fascinating personal journey, from coding BASIC as a child alongside his developer dad to leading a key part of Google Cloud's developer outreach. They explore the ever-evolving landscape of technology, using the metaphor of "waves" – from early desktop computing and the internet to mobile apps and the current tidal wave of AI and "vibe coding."This conversation offers valuable insights for all developers navigating the pace of technological change. Discover what Developer Relations is and how it serves as that essential bridge, functioning bidirectionally (both outbound communication and inbound feedback). Learn about the importance of community programs like Google Developer Experts (GDEs), and how developers can effectively connect with DevRel teams to share their experiences and help shape the future of products. Ankur and Allen also reflect on the need for continuous learning, understanding underlying tech layers, and the shared passion that drives innovation in our industry.Whether you're a long-time developer or just starting out, learn how to ride the waves, connect with peers, and make your voice heard in the developer ecosystem by engaging with the DevRel bridge.More Info:* Google Developers Program: https://goo.gle/google-for-developersTimestamps:00:49 - Ankur's Role as Global Head of Cloud Advocacy01:48 - The Bi-directional Nature of Developer Relations02:34 - Ankur's Journey into Tech and DevRel09:47 - What is Developer Relations? (The DevRel Bridge Explained)12:06 - The Value of Community and Google Developer Experts (GDEs)14:08 - Allen's Motivation for Being a GDE18:24 - Riding the Waves of Technological Change (AI, Vibe Coding)20:37 - The Importance of Understanding Abstraction Layers25:41 - How Developers Can Engage with the DevRel Bridge30:50 - Providing Feedback: Does it Make a Difference?Hashtags:#DeveloperRelations #DevRel #GoogleCloud #CloudAdvocacy #DeveloperCommunity #TechEvolution #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #VibeCoding #GoogleGemini #SoftwareDevelopment #Programming #Google #GoogleCloudNext #GoogleDevRel #GDG #GDE #TwoVoiceDevs #Podcast #Developers