49: Using AI Agents in Software Development 2026: Current Uses and Future Possibilities

Summary

In this special in-person episode recorded at the GitHub office, Brittany and Bethany dive into the evolving role of AI agents in software development and programming as of early 2026. They discuss the impact of AI tools like Copilot and Claude Code on programmer productivity and software engineering workflows. The hosts explore practical applications of coding agents, including custom agents and repository instructions, and highlight how asynchronous versus synchronous tooling is reshaping engineering culture. They also share wishes for future AI agents, such as smarter calendar integration and lore-dump assistants, illustrating the expanding possibilities of AI in tech careers. Further, the episode touches on how the developer role intersects with product management amidst easier feature building and complex decision-making. Lastly, Brittany and Bethany forecast advances in AI, including coaching agents to support career growth, tools to balance work life for working parents, and deeper integration of automation to enhance software development and daily productivity.

Links

• Zapier: https://zapier.com/
• Andrej Karpathy tweet: https://x.com/karpathy/status/2015883857489522876?s=20
• Vibe Coding by Gene Kim and Steve Yegge: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Vibe-Coding/Gene-Kim/9781966280026
• The Pragmatic Summit: https://www.pragmaticsummit.com/

Hosts

• Overcommitted: https://overcommitted.dev
• Bethany Janos: https://github.com/bethanyj28
• Brittany Ellich: https://brittanyellich.com