Kenneth Auchenberg, a prominent figure in developer tools and a partner at AlleyCorp, recently articulated a significant paradigm shift in software development, asserting that "AX will matter more than DX." This prediction, shared via a tweet, highlights the increasing role of large language models (LLMs) in code generation, fundamentally altering the focus from traditional developer experience (DX) to Agent Experience (AX).
Auchenberg, known for his insights into the developer ecosystem and his past roles at Stripe and Microsoft, posits that the industry is transitioning into "Software 3.0," where the majority of code will be authored by artificial intelligence rather than humans. He emphasizes that if LLMs become the primary code writers, the conventional aspects of Developer Experience at the low-level coding layer will diminish in importance.
Agent Experience (AX) refers to how effectively AI agents can interact with, understand, and operate within digital environments to achieve specified goals. Unlike human developers, LLMs are "infinitely patient" and thrive on consistent, common patterns, necessitating a redesign of systems to be more machine-readable and agent-friendly. This shift requires platforms to offer robust API foundations and predictable patterns optimized for AI consumption.
This evolution implies a significant change for human developers, who will increasingly operate at "higher levels of specs," focusing on architectural design and high-level problem-solving. The actual code, generated by AI, will be treated much like assembly language is today – a lower-level output managed by machines. This strategic reorientation demands that companies prioritize designing for AI agents as a primary audience for their products.
Auchenberg's vision underscores a pivotal moment in technology, where the success of software will increasingly depend on its usability by intelligent agents. As AI continues to integrate deeper into the development lifecycle, understanding and optimizing for Agent Experience will become paramount for innovation and competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.