According to Business Insider, these autonomous helpers can interpret developer instructions, generate code snippets, assist with debugging, document complex functions, and even automate testing — freeing engineers to focus more on design thinking, architecture and product innovation rather than repetitive tasks.
The shift reflects a broader trend across tech companies where AI agents act as collaborative partners rather than mere coding assistants. At Canva, engineers can invoke agents during daily workflows via internal tools, allowing them to iterate faster and deliver work with higher consistency. Early adopters report that agents help flatten learning curves for new engineers and reduce time spent on boilerplate work, making team processes leaner and more productive.
However, the integration of agent technology has also prompted conversations about quality control and oversight. Because AI agents sometimes produce imperfect or unexpected outputs, engineers still need to validate, test and refine what the agents generate. Some developers note that this “review work” can introduce its own set of challenges, requiring a balance between trusting automation and exercising professional judgement.
Overall, though, the experience at Canva suggests a hybrid future of engineering work: agents handle time-intensive or menial tasks, while human engineers play a more strategic role in defining product direction, solving complex problems and ensuring quality — a dynamic that could become increasingly common across software teams.
