Özgur Ersöz has managed some of Sweden's most-used mobile experiences. As Engineering Manager on the Apps Team at Bokadirekt, he's responsible for one of the App Store's highest-rated apps – and he's doing it in the middle of one of the biggest shifts the industry has ever seen. We sat down with him to talk about AI, product pride, and perfect Fridays.

A day in the life

I usually start my day with a cup of coffee, then pick up any ongoing AI agent-related work from the previous day if there’s anything unfinished. Before our daily meetings, I make sure everything is up to date in Jira. And finally, I might lightly challenge the people around me with my realism, just to keep things interesting ;) 

On building something people actually use

"Bokadirekt powers bookings for a large part of Sweden, and we continuously improve an already highly rated, well-functioning product by adding new features. Making something that is already good even better is one of the most enjoyable parts of the job.

On the iOS side, we have one of the top-rated apps on the App Store with a 4.9 rating. Sometimes I even feel a sense of responsibility toward people I see on the street who've just had a haircut or a beauty treatment, knowing they might have booked it through our app."

On the AI shift – and why it changes everything

As you know, since December, AI has really become a core part of software development. Since then, I’ve probably written only about 20 lines of code myself. Right now, we’re working with multiple AI agents, and honestly, I feel like I’m learning something new every single day.

Why Bokadirekt

I’ve worked at both large and small companies, and I can honestly say Bokadirekt is the best fit for me. It’s a place where I can make an impact and where we’re constantly encouraged and supported to use our own technologies, thanks to our CTO AJ.Especially when it comes to AI, there has been strong support from the very beginning. That vision is one of the main reasons I stay. The culture and the fact that the product is widely known and used are also important factors for me.

When AI isn't the answer

If used incorrectly, AI can become quite costly. In its current state, it's very efficient, but I'm still cautious about relying on it for decision-making. Human judgment and oversight are still essential.

When it comes to making UX decisions, I prefer not to rely on AI. That's an area where the human factor is essential, since we're designing based on how people actually think and behave.

What’s your perfect weekend like?

If all PRs(pull requests) are closed by Friday at 2 PM, then having a beer at the office around 3 PM and planning my weekend workouts and meals, and actually sticking to that plan, sounds like a perfect start to the weekend for me. And of course, if Galatasaray, the team I support, is still leading the league and has won their match that weekend, I couldn’t be happier!