Google is taking its AI coding assistant to the next level. Gemini Code Assist now comes with advanced “agentic” capabilities designed to handle complex programming workflows, according to announcements made at the Google Cloud Next conference.
With this upgrade, Gemini Code Assist can now deploy AI-powered agents capable of performing multi-step tasks. These agents aren’t just writing snippets of code—they can build entire applications based on product specs in Google Docs, convert code from one language to another, and more. They’re also now integrated into Android Studio, expanding the assistant’s reach across popular development environments.
A Competitive Push in the AI Coding Wars
The move seems like a direct response to growing competition in the AI coding space. Rivals like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and Devin—an AI developer tool from Cognition Labs—have raised the bar for what coding assistants can do. With the stakes high and productivity on the line, Google is clearly aiming to cement its place in the fast-evolving market.
These new AI agents are managed via a dedicated Gemini Code Assist Kanban board. Developers can assign tasks, track progress step by step, and receive generated outputs across several coding tasks. Google says the agents can do much more than generate or translate code. They can now help implement new features, conduct code reviews, create unit tests, and even produce technical documentation.
Still Some Limitations—and Caution Is Advised
While the promise is huge, the performance of these AI tools isn’t flawless. Current-generation code generators, even those from leading companies, often introduce bugs or security flaws. That’s because most still struggle with deeply understanding programming logic.
For example, in a recent test, Devin—the headline-making AI developer—only completed 3 out of 20 assigned programming tasks successfully. So while Gemini Code Assist might save time by writing or refactoring code, developers are still encouraged to review the final output closely.
As Google continues enhancing Code Assist with more intelligent agent capabilities, it’s clear that AI is becoming a much bigger part of the software development workflow. But for now, human oversight remains essential.
