I manage 10+ agents at Cisco. It doesn't mean longer hours, but the work can feel more intense. (www.businessinsider.com)

Sergio Freitas, a senior director of engineering at Cisco, shared insights on how the introduction of agentic AI has transformed workflows in software engineering. With the launch of advanced AI models like Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.5, teams have shifted from manual coding to managing AI agents that handle various tasks, such as code creation and project management. This evolution allows engineers to focus on higher-level responsibilities, including architecture and design, but it also demands a new approach to multitasking and collaboration, which can be challenging. The integration of AI agents into daily operations enables engineers to oversee multiple agents that execute complex tasks autonomously, although human oversight remains critical to ensure quality and compliance. While Freitas notes that work hours haven’t increased, the intensity of the pace has changed as engineers adapt to managing these AI-driven processes. This shift represents a significant evolution in the industry, urging engineers to recalibrate their skills and mental habits around asynchronous workflows, ultimately re-defining their roles in the software development life cycle.