AI Agents and the Future of Programming
Code Helper
© Lead Image © buraratn, 123RF.com
Agentic AI is changing the software development lifecycle, but with the efficiency gains come some loss of control.
The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in software development has changed rapidly in recent years. Whereas early AI tools primarily provided developers with a kind of glorified autocomplete feature, a new generation of agentic AI takes a more active role, handling complex tasks throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and opening up new opportunities for developers.
Agentic AI is more than a generative language model. Agents use an iterative cycle of perception, planning, action, and learning. An agent can independently collect information, formulate plans, deploy tools to complete actions, and adapt its behavior based on feedback. Multiple specialized agents can collaborate in this process. The AtScale glossary [1] describes agentic AI as autonomous, proactive, specialized, and adaptable. These characteristics fundamentally enable agentic AI to solve complex problems and orchestrate workflows. In contrast, generative AI merely responds to input and generates content.
Early AI assistants such as GitHub Copilot [2] and Tabnine [3] supported developers when it came to programming individual functions by reducing the required amount of typing. However, visions and opportunities are constantly growing; one definition describes agentic AI in the context of software development [4] as a three-tier maturity model.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Nitrux 6.0 Now Ready to Rock Your World
The latest iteration of the Debian-based distribution includes all kinds of newness.
-
Linux Foundation Reports that Open Source Delivers Better ROI
In a report that may surprise no one in the Linux community, the Linux Foundation found that businesses are finding a 5X return on investment with open source software.
-
Keep Android Open
Google has announced that, soon, anyone looking to develop Android apps will have to first register centrally with Google.
-
Kernel 7.0 Now in Testing
Linus Torvalds has announced the first Release Candidate (RC) for the 7.x kernel is available for those who want to test it.
-
Introducing matrixOS, an Immutable Gentoo-Based Linux Distro
It was only a matter of time before a developer decided one of the most challenging Linux distributions needed to be immutable.
-
Chaos Comes to KDE in KaOS
KaOS devs are making a major change to the distribution, and it all comes down to one system.
-
New Linux Botnet Discovered
The SSHStalker botnet uses IRC C2 to control systems via legacy Linux kernel exploits.
-
The Next Linux Kernel Turns 7.0
Linus Torvalds has announced that after Linux kernel 6.19, we'll finally reach the 7.0 iteration stage.
-
Linux From Scratch Drops SysVinit Support
LFS will no longer support SysVinit.
-
LibreOffice 26.2 Now Available
With new features, improvements, and bug fixes, LibreOffice 26.2 delivers a modern, polished office suite without compromise.