Cisco assigns 27-year-old engineer to rewrite 98% of legacy code with AI in 24 months
Cisco’s president, Jeetu Patel, has given a 27-year-old engineer, Padmanabhan Krishnamurthy, an unprecedented task: refactor 98% of the company’s legacy code within 24 months using AI. Krishnamurthy, previously at Cisco after its acquisition of translation startup EzDubs, was previously stuck in a low-level role. Patel, citing Krishnamurthy’s claim that even Cisco’s AI-forward teams weren’t…
Key points
- Cisco gives 27-year-old engineer Padmanabhan Krishnamurthy unlimited AI tokens to refactor 98% of legacy code in 24 months
- Krishnamurthy previously worked at Cisco after its 2023 acquisition of translation startup EzDubs, where he co-founded it
- Patel cites AI coding’s risks but sees young hires as key to disrupting legacy tech workflows
Patel’s move reflects a broader push to inject younger, AI-savvy talent into legacy tech firms. He aims to hire more engineers who challenge traditional corporate structures, blending experienced operators with AI-native founders. The strategy comes amid rising concerns about AI-driven coding risks, including accidental data deletions and unintended edits. Patel acknowledges potential friction between Gen Z hires and older employees but frames it as necessary for innovation.
Cisco gives 27-year-old engineer unlimited AI tokens to rewrite 98% of the company's legacy code in 24 months — president plucks former startup founder, telling him to 'go nuts'
Tom's Hardware · 30 October 2026
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