So what now? – When execution becomes a commodity

The Shift

Computer scientists have automated the most repetitive parts of computer science. For decades, a CS degree was a guarantee of a solid career. Today, the "value chain" of software production is fundamentally shifting. The more a role relies on isolated execution rather than strategic collaboration, the higher the pressure will be. We are moving from an era of "manpower" to an era of "leverage."

The Friendly Phase: Coding agents as your superpower

Every developer I know is already using agents. They make us faster at building, failing, and iterating. This isn't just a tool; it's a productivity boost that rewards the most experienced architects. While tools like Lovable allow non-tech people to prototype, the real power remains with those who can navigate complex logic, systems thinking, and integration.

The Brutal Phase: The Commodity of Execution

We are moving toward autonomous agent teams. Whether it's self-built agentic frameworks or upcoming industry solutions like Amazon Kiro, "execution" is becoming a commodity. By end of 2026, agents will handle the heavy lifting of development, DevOps, testing, monitoring and security.

For a CPTO like me, this changes the math. The goal is no longer to build big departments, but to lead small elite teams who can manage vast agentic resources. The capital risk of huge headcounts will be replaced by the strategic leverage of small teams who know how to orchestrate these systems.

The Future of the Startup / VC Game

Imagine Q1 2027: Amazon Kiro offers production-grade agent teams for the entire value chain, including design and product management. For software entrepreneurs, this is amazing—MVP costs vanish, and validation speed skyrockets. But because it is easier for everyone, it is harder to be unique.

In the past, you could build a well-designed solution like Trello and be acquired for $425M. Those days are over. Anyone can now build the core features of Trello in 1-3 weeks (depending on level of sophistication).

When execution is cheap, this "moat" disappears. VCs will probably move toward B2B models where personal relationships, industry trust & insights, and compliance are paramount, or toward hardware and deep-tech. Pure SaaS and software B2C models will become a battlefield of razor-thin margins and instant clones.

The Evolution of the Craft

This shift makes me both excited and sad. I love the craft of building. But the "job" is evolving from building to to orchestrating value creation.

In my startup Xaver, we aren't looking to replace brainpower; we are looking to multiply it. When we introduce agent teams to work alongside us—performing testing, boilerplate, or overnight refactoring—it is so our engineers can move away from manual implementation and step into the role of product architects. The goal isn't to do the same with fewer people. It's to do the "impossible" with the brilliant team we already have.

Evolution is harsh to those who resist, but it’s a rocket ship for those who embrace.

Be creative. Be innovative. Be social. Evolve.