Four Predictions For How AI Will Change Software in 2026

Overview

This episode explores predictions for AI's impact on software development in 2026, focusing on agent-native architectures, the evolving role of designers, and the emergence of new types of software engineers. It also reflects on Every's growth and the challenges of scaling a business in the AI-first era.

Notable Quotes

- I think AI progress is still really fast, and it's kind of mind-blowing where we are now versus where we were a year ago. But the world and AGI, however you define that, is a lot more complicated and hard than we thought. - Dan Shipper, on the complexity of achieving AGI.

- Designers are the next big superheroes of the AI age. Code is cheap, but creating a beautiful, evocative experience is going to be a huge deal. - Dan Shipper, on the transformative potential of AI for designers.

- You have to rebuild the business every time the number of people doubles. Keeping the culture and genuine interest in building things will be the big challenge as we scale. - Brandon Gell, on scaling Every while maintaining its unique culture.

🔥 Reflections on Every’s Growth

- Dan Shipper and Brandon Gell discuss Every’s transformation in 2025, highlighting key moments like launching AI tools (Quora, Sparkle, Spiral) and hosting Claude Code Camps.

- Revenue doubled in June 2025, catalyzed by strategic launches and Dan’s appearance on Lenny’s podcast, which reshaped public perception of Every.

- The company grew from 5 to nearly 20 employees, with consulting becoming a significant part of the business.

🛠️ Agent-Native Architectures and Software Evolution

- Dan Shipper introduces agent-native architectures, where AI agents can perform any action a user or developer can within an app.

- This paradigm enables apps to become more flexible and personalized, with agents capable of customizing software and autonomously improving features.

- Companies like Anthropic and Notion are leading the way in integrating agents as first-class citizens in software.

🎨 Designers as AI Power Users

- AI empowers designers to create full experiences without relying on developers, unlocking their creative potential.

- Dan Shipper highlights the rise of vibe coding, where designers use AI tools to prototype and build apps.

- Tools like Cursor are inching toward making coding accessible for designers, though challenges remain in abstracting complexity for broader adoption.

👨‍💻 The New Software Engineer

- Dan Shipper identifies three types of engineers in the AI era: traditional engineers, vibe coders, and agentic engineers who manage AI agents to build software.

- Agentic engineers represent a new skill set, focusing on delegating programming tasks entirely to AI while orchestrating agents at a higher level.

- This shift may redefine software engineering, with traditional methods gradually declining in favor of agent-driven development.

⚠️ Challenges of AI Autonomy and Ethics

- Brandon Gell raises concerns about deepfakes and the lack of AI labeling on social media, predicting potential misuse during election cycles.

- The next wave of AI training will focus on enabling agents to operate autonomously, requiring new approaches to alignment and safety.

- Achieving true autonomy will involve allowing agents to learn and adapt independently, a complex challenge that could reshape AI development in 2026.