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What is agentic engineering?

simonwillison.net

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Re: What is agentic engineering?

#11

Post by mmastrac »

After three months of seeing what agentic engineering produces first-hand, I think there's going to be a pretty big correction.

Not saying that AI doesn't have a place, and that models aren't getting better, but there is a seriously delusional state in this industry right now..

Re: What is agentic engineering?

#12

Post by jbethune »

I think there is a meaningful distinction here. It's true that writing code has never been the sole work of a software engineer. However there is a qualitative difference between an engineer producing the code themselves and an engineer managing code generated by an LLM. When he writes there is "so much stuff" for humans to do outside of writing code I generally agree and would sum it up with one word: Accountability. Humans have to be accountable for that code in a lot of ways because ultimately accountability is something AI agents generally lack.

Re: What is agentic engineering?

#13

Post by ssgodderidge »

maxbond wrote: post #8

I don't think we should be making this distinction. We're still engaged in software engineering. This isn't a new discipline, it's a new technique. We're still using testing, requirements gathering, etc. to ensure we've produced the correct product and that the product is correct. Just with more automation.

I agree, partly. I feel the main goal of the term “agentic engineering” is to distinguish the new technique of software engineering from “Vibe Coding.” Many felt vibe coding insinuated you didn’t know what you were doing; that you weren’t _engineering_.

In other words, “Agentic engineering” feels like the response of engineers who use AI to write code, but want to maintain the skill distinction to the pure “vibe coders.”

Re: What is agentic engineering?

#15

Post by ares623 »

neonbrain wrote: post #14

The term feels broken when adhering to standard naming conventions, such as Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, where "Agentic Engineering" would logically refer to the engineering of agents

Agentic Management doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

Re: What is agentic engineering?

#16

Post by pamelafox »

I’ve been using the term “agentic coding” more often, because I am always shy to claim that our field rises to the level of the engineers that build bridges and rockets. I’m happy to use “agentic engineering” however, and if Simon coins it, it just might stick. :) Thanks for sharing your best practices, Simon!

Re: What is agentic engineering?

#17

Post by pamelafox »

neonbrain wrote: post #14

The term feels broken when adhering to standard naming conventions, such as Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, where "Agentic Engineering" would logically refer to the engineering of agents

I think “agent engineering” could refer to the latter, if a distinction needs to be made. I do get what you’re saying, but when I heard the term, I personally understood its meaning.
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