> Markdown version of [/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1107-craftsmanship-in-the](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1107-craftsmanship-in-the). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

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# Craftsmanship in the Age of Agents


- **Date:** Thursday, Jul 9, 2026
- **Time:** 14:50–15:20 (30 min)
- **Room:** Mainstage
- **Event:** World Congress 2026 Europe

## Recording

[Watch recording](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100106-craftsmanship-in-the-age-of-agents)

## Description

Four years ago, GitHub Copilot was demoed on this stage for the very first time, and the way we build software has never been the same. Today, developers are directing agents, reviewing AI-generated pull requests, and experimenting with new ways of working. But more AI output doesn't automatically mean better software, and the gap between generating code and shipping something you'd stake your name on is widening. We'll dig into what leading developers are actually doing differently: how they're rethinking the SDLC, where human judgment matters most, and why craftsmanship isn't a nostalgic idea — it's your competitive edge.

## Speaker

### [Laura Thorson](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@luis-bitencourt-emilio)

SVP, Product at GitHub


## Related talks at this congress

- [GitHub Copilot: From Zero to Hero](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1002-github-copilot-from) — Lisa Becker, Tugdual Grall
- [Building the next generation of AI developer tools](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1074-building-the-next) — Krzysztof Cieślak
- [AI That Acts: Orchestrating Agents in Modern Developer Workflows (securely)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1148-ai-that-acts) — Evgenij Renke, Alessandra Vicini
- [Designing for Agents Will Make You Better at Designing for Humans](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1443-designing-for-agents) — Dana Lawson