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The New Application Layer - Malte Ubl, CTO Vercel

The New Application Layer - Malte Ubl, CTO Vercel

Malte Ubl, CTO of Vercel, posits that AI engineering is the successor to web development, arguing that AI agents will expand, not shrink, the software market. He explores practical agent archetypes being built today and discusses the profound shift required in infrastructure and security as agents become both the builders and primary users of software, concluding that the true innovation and value will lie in the application layer built by AI engineers, independent of the commoditizing foundational models.

The Modern Software Engineer

The Modern Software Engineer

Mihail Eric, Head of AI at Monaco and Stanford Lecturer, discusses the fundamental shift in software engineering due to AI. He explores how the developer's role is evolving from a line-by-line coder to a systems architect and agent director, emphasizing the growing importance of upfront planning, robust validation, and clear articulation to effectively manage AI-driven workflows.

State of the Art of Java in 2026 • Ben Evans • GOTO 2026

State of the Art of Java in 2026 • Ben Evans • GOTO 2026

Java Champion Ben Evans provides a data-driven analysis of Java's health in 2026, arguing against its perceived decline. He covers its robust ecosystem, the core tension between dynamism and integrity, its evolving role in AI, and a detailed roadmap including Project Valhalla and the Vector API.

What AI Agent Skills Are and How They Work

What AI Agent Skills Are and How They Work

AI agents, powered by LLMs, excel at reasoning but lack the procedural knowledge required for real-world workflows. Martin Keen explains how the 'agent skills' open standard solves this by packaging step-by-step instructions, enabling agents to automate complex tasks efficiently and reliably.

Code Mode - Sunil Pai, Cloudflare

Code Mode - Sunil Pai, Cloudflare

Sunil Pai from Cloudflare introduces "Code Mode," a paradigm where AI agents generate and execute code (like JavaScript) instead of using traditional JSON-based tool calling. This approach enables more efficient, stateful, and complex interactions with large-scale systems by leveraging the inherent capabilities of programming languages.

Why half of product managers are in trouble | Nikhyl Singhal (Meta, Google)

Why half of product managers are in trouble | Nikhyl Singhal (Meta, Google)

Nikhyl Singhal, a seasoned product executive and founder, provides an unfiltered look at the massive transformation reshaping product management. He argues that the rise of AI is creating a chaotic but ultimately joyful renaissance for "builders" while rendering the traditional "information mover" PM obsolete. Singhal predicts that half of current PMs are at risk and outlines the new skills—judgment, pace, and an "obsolescence mindset"—required to thrive.