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World of AI | Edition # 36

Llamacon 2025 Recap: Zuckerberg and Nadella Chart the Future of AI-Coded Software

At the highly anticipated Llamacon 2025, two of the tech industry’s most influential figures—Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella—sat down for a compelling fireside chat on the future of AI-powered software development. Their conversation revealed a rapidly emerging era where artificial intelligence not only assists developers, but redefines the entire paradigm of software engineering.

AI Is Already a Major Contributor to Code

Both leaders emphasized how AI is already playing a significant role in software creation. Nadella revealed that up to 30% of code in some Microsoft projects is now AI-generated, with AI also managing substantial portions of code reviews. This marks a shift from AI as a suggestion engine to AI as an active co-author.

Zuckerberg shared that Meta is witnessing similar patterns and projected that up to 50% of Meta’s codebase could be AI-generated or reviewed within a year. Far from a passive development, he described this shift as a deliberate strategic move to embrace AI’s transformative potential.

Language Support and the Data Divide

One key topic was the uneven performance of AI across different programming languages. Nadella noted that languages like Python benefit from being open source, which makes ample training data available. In contrast, legacy or proprietary languages like C++ remain more challenging due to their complexity and the scarcity of training data.

This disparity underscores the importance of open ecosystems, both for fostering collaboration and enabling AI models to evolve more effectively. It also raises concerns for industries still reliant on older technology stacks, which may face barriers to fully leveraging AI.

Tackling Legacy Codebases

AI thrives in greenfield projects—new software built without historical baggage. Both executives acknowledged that while startups benefit from this clean slate, larger enterprises like Microsoft must contend with extensive legacy systems. These systems can slow the pace of innovation, but progress is being made.

Zuckerberg and Nadella agreed that modularizing legacy systems and gradually adopting AI-first methodologies can help even the most established companies modernize and compete with nimbler counterparts.

AI Agents: A Leap Toward Autonomous R&D

Zuckerberg unveiled that Meta is actively developing AI agents capable of conducting machine learning and AI research autonomously. These agents are not just executing tasks—they are designed to experiment, iterate, and drive innovation independently.

This represents a significant step toward self-improving AI systems that can evolve without constant human direction, inching closer to the long-theorized concept of recursive self-improvement or even an “intelligence explosion.”

Reimagining the Developer Role

A major theme was the evolution of the software development workflow. Traditionally, developers write, test, and deploy code using static tools. In the near future, however, they may become orchestrators of intelligent agents, setting objectives and reviewing results rather than manually coding each function.

This will necessitate new development environments tailored to support multi-agent workflows, maintain long-term context, coordinate concurrent edits, and provide effective oversight. It redefines the developer’s role and paves the way for broader participation in software creation—even from those without traditional coding experience.

Unlocking Innovation in the Application Layer

While foundational models and AI infrastructure have made great strides, Nadella pointed out that the application layer—the interfaces and tools developers use—remains underdeveloped and full of untapped potential.

Advancements are needed in memory management, dynamic prompt optimization, and long-term goal orientation. Building robust agentic frameworks that address these challenges will be a defining pursuit for developers and entrepreneurs in the coming years.

Open Source vs. Proprietary: Diverging Strategies

The conversation also explored the strategic philosophies of each company. Microsoft embraces a hybrid model that values both open-source collaboration and proprietary systems, focusing on interoperability and enterprise-grade customization.

Meta, by contrast, is investing heavily in internal capabilities. Zuckerberg highlighted Meta’s approach of training and deploying its own models, aiming to push AI’s boundaries without relying on third-party ecosystems. These differing strategies reflect distinct paths to the same destination: making AI central to how software is conceived and built.

Human Developers: From Coders to Conductors

As AI becomes more autonomous, human roles are shifting. Developers may soon act more like software architects or strategists, defining goals, setting parameters, and reviewing AI-generated work.

Platforms like Cursor already support workflows in which agents write and test millions—or even billions—of lines of code across distributed systems. This is just the beginning of a transformative era where software development happens at a speed and scale no human team could match alone.

The Machine-First Era Is Here

Zuckerberg closed the session with a forward-looking vision: a world where AI agents handle the heavy lifting of development, while humans guide them with clear values and strategic direction. This shift promises extraordinary productivity gains—but also requires a fundamental rethinking of skills, tools, and collaboration models.

Llamacon 2025 was more than a showcase of emerging technology. It offered a glimpse into a new reality where machine-first, human-guided software development is not a future ideal but a present reality. The age of intelligent collaboration between humans and machines has arrived—and it’s moving faster than anyone anticipated.

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