From Autocomplete to Agents - AI Coding Assistance State of Play

Explore the current landscape of AI coding assistance tools in this conference talk that examines the evolution from basic autocomplete features to sophisticated coding agents. Learn about the disappointment many organizations experienced with early coding assistants despite initial hype, and discover how the recent emergence of agentic assistants has reset expectations in the field. Gain insights into the tooling and features available in today's AI coding assistants and understand the new workflows they enable, with particular focus on agentic assistants that have popularized "vibe coding." Examine how these advanced tools function, their potential impact on developer roles, and their effects on code quality. Benefit from expert analysis based on extensive experience as Thoughtworks' global subject matter expert for AI-assisted software delivery, providing a comprehensive overview of where AI coding assistance stands at the beginning of 2025.