FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into software engineering is evolving, moving from simple code generation to the deployment of AI agents capable of executing various tasks. In line with this trend, 99x, a technology firm based in Sri Lanka, organized ELEVATE 2026, an internal hackathon aimed at enabling teams to explore and implement AI solutions in real-world engineering scenarios.
The hackathon saw participation from over 150 employees divided into 30 teams, all focused on developing AI agents tailored to specific challenges within their project domains. “The ELEVATE hackathon was designed to address issues our teams frequently face during project delivery. We aimed to encourage teams to think beyond just interacting with an AI model and to consider how an agent can fit within an engineering workflow. This includes understanding what initiates the agent, the outputs it generates, how those outputs progress to subsequent stages, and where human intervention is necessary. This approach to agentic development transcends merely speeding up code generation,” remarked Yohan Gunathilaka, Senior Manager of Software Engineering at 99x.
Five panels consisting of both technical and business leaders assessed the teams based on their proposed solutions. The Xianix platform from 99x integrates specialized AI agents, Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs), and engineering safeguards within a cohesive delivery unit. The primary AI agents focus on areas such as requirement analysis, technical design, pull request evaluations, test planning, and release management, while ensuring that human engineers retain accountability for decisions made at each phase.
The ELEVATE event allowed participants to translate theoretical concepts into practical applications for 99x employees. The company emphasizes that its AI agents are not intended to replace human engineers. Instead, as these agents manage routine analysis, preparations, and preliminary tasks, engineers are expected to refine their skills in assessing AI-generated outputs, managing associated risks, providing context, and making critical decisions that require human judgment.
“In the previous year, our primary goal was to familiarize teams with AI-assisted development. The ELEVATE hackathon illustrates how rapidly this dialogue has progressed. We are now exploring ways in which agents can engage throughout the software development lifecycle, rather than merely assisting individual developers. Our challenge lies in ensuring that this integration remains beneficial in actual project delivery while preserving the engineering rigor and accountability our clients expect,” stated Asitha Weerasinghe, Senior Technical Architect from the ELEVATE organizing team.
99x is investigating the dynamics of collaborating with AI agents while ensuring that FDEs, who are more closely involved in the delivery process, remain accountable for the results. As AI takes on a more proactive role in software delivery, the company continues to prioritize the development of engineers who can effectively delegate tasks, critically evaluate AI responses, and uphold responsibility for the final outcomes. (Colombo/Sep2/2026)
