Why PowerShell Matters in the Age of AI
Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we build, automate, and interact with technology.
As large language models become increasingly capable, many professionals are wondering what this means for the tools they use every day. One question comes up frequently:
Does AI reduce the need for PowerShell, or does it make it even more relevant?
During PSConfEU 2026, we sat down with Jeffrey Snover, inventor of PowerShell, to discuss exactly that. What emerged from the conversation was a clear message: PowerShell is not being replaced by AI. Instead, AI is helping unlock capabilities that many users have historically struggled to adopt.
From Complexity to Accessibility
PowerShell has always offered powerful features for automation and systems management. However, many advanced capabilities remained underused because they required significant expertise, time, and effort to implement. Jeffrey points to examples such as proxy cmdlets and PowerShell providers—features that can deliver enormous value but have traditionally been difficult to create and maintain.
Today, large language models are changing that equation.
Tasks that once required deep expertise and substantial effort can now be accelerated through AI-assisted development. Instead of spending hours navigating boilerplate code or troubleshooting implementation details, professionals can focus on solving problems and delivering outcomes.
PowerShell and AI: Better Together
One of the most interesting themes of the discussion is that AI and PowerShell are not competing technologies.
Jeffrey argues that PowerShell offers characteristics that are particularly well suited to AI-driven workflows. Its consistency, predictable naming conventions, and rich automation capabilities make it an effective interface for building solutions that leverage large language models.
The question is no longer:
“Will AI replace PowerShell?”
The question is:
“How can AI help us do PowerShell better—and how can PowerShell help us build better AI solutions?”
New Opportunities for the Community
Perhaps the most exciting part of the conversation is the opportunity this creates for IT professionals.
Historically, many members of the PowerShell community focused on command-line tools and automation. Thanks to AI-assisted development, creating graphical interfaces and user-focused solutions is becoming significantly more accessible. This means professionals can deliver more value to their organisations, build better experiences for their customers, and expand the scope of what they can achieve.
As Jeffrey puts it, capabilities that once seemed out of reach are now becoming accessible to far more people.
Looking Ahead
While AI is transforming the industry at an unprecedented pace, Jeffrey does not believe conferences like PSConfEU should become AI conferences. Instead, he sees AI naturally becoming part of the discussions and solutions that the community is already exploring.
The future is not about choosing between PowerShell and AI.
It’s about understanding how these technologies complement one another—and how professionals can use both to solve increasingly complex challenges.
🎥 Watch the full interview: Why PowerShell Matters in the Age of AI – An Interview with Jeffrey Snover.