Future of Software Engineering Retreat Findings

This report details the findings from the Future of Software Engineering Retreat held in Engelberg, Switzerland, in June 2026. The retreat, organized by Thoughtworks and Martin Fowler, gathered industry leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of software engineering, particularly in relation to AI and agentic engineering. Key themes emerged, including the shift from code generation to verification as the primary bottleneck in software development. Participants noted the rise of 'harness engineering' as a distinct discipline, emphasizing the importance of context management and feedback loops. The report outlines concerns regarding an apprenticeship crisis, where junior engineers risk losing hands-on experience due to reliance on AI. Additionally, it highlights the widening expectation gap between executives and engineers, with executives making rapid decisions based on AI capabilities while engineers face unresolved verification and governance challenges. The findings suggest that organizations must adapt to these changes by focusing on testing, verification, and governance to navigate the complexities of modern software engineering.