Last updated: February 12, 2026 by the editorial team
Author's): Aqil Khan
Originally published in Towards Artificial Intelligence.
Skills, tools and resources
In 2025, developers experimented with AI agents. In 2026, organizations will be hiring agent engineers build them on a large scale. What started as “vibe coding”—writing prompts in natural language and watching artificial intelligence run the code—has evolved into a rigorous engineering discipline with its own rules, frameworks, certifications, and career paths.
The article discusses the emerging field of agent engineering, which focuses on creating AI systems capable of autonomous decision-making and cooperation with humans. It presents the basic elements of agentic systems, the transition of artificial intelligence from experimental stages to production applications, and a roadmap for those wishing to enter this field. The article highlights the need for strong programming skills and knowledge of specific frameworks and tools, offering a structured learning path to become effective in developing and managing agent-based AI solutions.
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Published via Towards AI
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