Google is building an AI agent for software development: Report

Tech giant Googleis testing a range of AI-driven products internally, including a new agentic AI tool capable of assisting software engineers throughout the entire development process, reports The Information.

The new tool, which reportedly helps with tasks such as code generation and documentation, has been shown to both employees and external developers, ahead of Google's annual I/O developer conference.

The report said that the firm may also showcase an integration between its Gemini chatbot (in voice mode) and its Android-based XR glasses and headset at the conference, which is scheduled to take place on May 20 in Mountain View, California. 

This development comes as major tech companies double down on AI developer tools. Amazon, for instance, is developing its own AI coding assistant, Kiro, which is designed to generate code in real time, auto-document software, and identify potential bugs. 

According to Business Insider, Kiro is being developed as a web and desktop application that supports both Amazon’s and third-party AI models, with a multi-modal interface that can input diagrams and other visual inputs alongside text.

While Amazon’s AWS division had initially considered launching Kiro in late June, the current timeline for the rollout is unclear. The broader push also reflects an industry-wide shift toward automating the software development process. Both Google and Microsoft recently claimed that roughly 30% of their code is now AI-generated.

Meanwhile, OpenAI is in talks to acquire AI coding startup Windsurf in a $3-billion deal. Windsurf had recently been in talks with investors, including General Catalyst and Kleiner Perkins, to raise fresh capital at the same $3-billion valuation. 

The startup was last valued at $1.25 billion last year after a $150-million funding round led by General Catalyst, with participation from Kleiner Perkins and Greenoaks.