This Christmas season, NorthStar Consulting invites you to meet the C-suite executives and entrepreneurs we have had the pleasure of collaborating with on various projects.

In this article, we are delighted to speak with Domenico Aquilino, CEO of the software company Kodedonda, a seasoned software developer and AI innovator.

Domenico shares his journey, insights, and predictions for the future of technology.

Innovation, Technology and Creativity

Q1. Can you introduce yourself and provide a glimpse into your profession, particularly the nuances of developing software in the age of AI?

Domenico:  I have been developing web-based software systems since the early days of the Internet. As an innovator, I am always drawn to experimenting with emerging technologies to solve problems creatively. Artificial intelligence, in particular, is an invaluable tool that enhances my creative process. It allows me to focus more on connecting with people, understanding their needs, and forecasting technological trends.

Q2. What inspired your journey into computing, and can you highlight a challenging yet rewarding project you’ve worked on?

Domenico: My journey began quite unexpectedly when my father gifted me a ZX Spectrum with rubber keys at the age of 16. At the time, I was set on studying philosophy, but programming quickly became my passion, and I never looked back.

One of the most challenging projects I undertook was transitioning a stand-alone MS-DOS application for tax obligations to a distributed, web-based system in the late ’90s. The biggest hurdle? Convincing clients to abandon floppy disks—a change that symbolized the shift to a new era of computing.

Q3. What have been the most significant technical challenges you’ve faced in your career?

Domenico: Integrating distributed systems has always presented complex challenges, particularly with adapting interfaces.

It’s akin to connecting hardware devices with mismatched connectors—you often have to craft custom adapters. The creative process of solving these mismatches has been both demanding and deeply satisfying.

Q4. How do you tackle complex technical problems?

Domenico: My problem-solving approach begins with research.

I explore online resources to see how others have tackled similar challenges and consult with colleagues for fresh perspectives. Collaboration and learning from others often yield the most effective solutions.

Q5. What tools and technologies have been instrumental in your work?

Domenico: For the past 15 years, my go-to environment has been Mac OS X. My toolkit includes a text editor integrated with GIT version control, a browser, a terminal, an HTTP server, and a database. Cloud computing has been a game-changer, eliminating time-consuming setup tasks and allowing me to focus on core development.

Q6. How do you ensure data security and integrity when managing complex projects?

Domenico: For projects involving sensitive data, I prefer local media disconnected from the network during development. To ensure data integrity and security, I rely on auditing mechanisms, live read-only replicas, and robust backup systems, even though these can impact performance. These safeguards are non-negotiable when dealing with confidential information.

Q7. What are your best practices for managing and maintaining large-scale databases?

Domenico: My experience with large databases, such as the Italian Business Registry, has taught me the importance of good design principles.

These include well-structured relationships, appropriate indexing, and optimized queries to prevent bottlenecks. Additionally, cloud services that support concurrent development, like branching services for Postgres, have been invaluable.

Q8. How do you envision the technology industry evolving by 2025, and which trends excite you most?

Domenico: By 2025, I foresee AI systems becoming more autonomous, with “agentification“ enabling them to achieve user-defined goals with minimal intervention. Additionally, combating disinformation through enhanced security components will become essential, reducing fraud and identity theft through continuous risk scoring.

On the hardware front, I’m particularly intrigued by the potential of long-lasting atomic batteries—game-changers in energy efficiency.

Q9. How do you stay informed about advancements in database technology?

Domenico: Staying updated requires both reading and experimentation.

I follow specialized magazines and explore new features offered by serverless database platforms like NEON Tech and DigitalOcean. Exploring updates across various platforms broadens my perspective beyond my usual DBMS tools.

Q10. What advice would you give to aspiring developers and entrepreneurs in your field?

Domenico: My advice is simple yet vital:

• Be curious—the opportunities for innovation are limitless.
• Be passionate—you can’t succeed in this field without loving what you do.
• Be brave—embrace the challenge of standing on the shoulders of giants and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Closing Thoughts

A heartfelt thank you to Domenico for sharing his inspiring journey and deep insights into the world of software development and AI innovation.

His experience reminds us of the boundless opportunities technology offers when paired with creativity and determination.

But this is just the start! Join us every Sunday at 10 AM for our Innovation and Technology podcast, where we bring you exclusive conversations with industry leaders.

Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn for more inspiring content. Exciting discussions await—don’t miss out!