People & CultureClosing Keynote45min
Rise of the Agents: You, AI, and the Future of Society
This session examines the transformative impact of AI agents on society, exploring their effects on technology, work, economics, law, ethics, and culture. Attendees will gain insights into opportunities, risks, and challenges posed by autonomous software, prompting reflection on accountability, privacy, creativity, and the future of human roles.
Martijn VerburgMicrosoft
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Thursday, October 9, 18:50-19:35
Room 5
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AI agents are here, evolving fast, and poised to fundamentally reshape how we live, work, govern, and relate to one another. From autonomous coding assistants to distributed agent ecosystems making decisions on our behalf, we are entering a new era of software that can act with intent.
In this thought-provoking session, we explore the deep and far-reaching consequences of AI agents on every facet of human society:
Whether you’re an optimist, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this session will challenge your assumptions, spark new questions, and help you prepare for the world that’s rapidly unfolding.
In this thought-provoking session, we explore the deep and far-reaching consequences of AI agents on every facet of human society:
- Technology & Work: What happens when agents take on complex knowledge work, collaborate with humans in software teams, and begin making architectural decisions? Will they elevate us—or replace us?
- Economics & Labour: As cognitive automation spreads, who benefits? We’ll unpack the economic ripple effects across industries, from productivity gains to job displacement and re-skilling.
- Governance & Law: Autonomous agents will challenge legal frameworks, and accountability. Who’s liable when an agent acts? What does “intent” mean in a world of autonomous agents?
- Ethics & Privacy: With agents that observe, learn, and act in persistent digital spaces, what are the risks to personal freedom, surveillance, and human dignity?
- Culture & Identity: When generative agents create art, write books, and simulate personalities, how do we define creativity, authenticity, and human expression?
Whether you’re an optimist, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this session will challenge your assumptions, spark new questions, and help you prepare for the world that’s rapidly unfolding.
Martijn Verburg
Known by Devoxxians of old as the Diabolical Developer
I'm the Principal Software Engineering Group Manager for Java, Golang, and Python at Microsoft. Previously I was the co-founder and CEO at jClarity, which was acquired by Microsoft in August 2019. I am also a mentor at Creative HQ, New Zealand's leading start-up Incubator and the Executive Coach for the C-level suite at Mindstone (mindstone.com).
Formerly I was the Director of the London Java Community (~8000 members) where I co-founded what is now Eclipse Adoptium (adoptium.net), the worlds 2nd largest distributor of OpenJDK binaries. I was also the co-leader of the London CTO's network.
I have over 25 years of experience as a technology professional, open-source software (F/OSS), board member and strategic advisor for startup, fintech, investment banking, insurance, Internet payment, and Cloud SaaS sectors.
You can also find me presenting keynotes and talks at major conferences (Oracle Openworld, Devoxx, OSCON, JAX, etc) on topics such as business strategy, leadership, organisational behaviour, management, team optimization and technical subjects around Agile, Java and Software Development.
My main passion is building and facilitating teams by focusing on social and technical infrastructure. This includes setting an empathetic culture, ensuring transparent communication, mentoring engineering managers, installing a shared vision on the product, and driving execution. Seeing teams of smart, creative people rapidly develop high quality software makes me happy!
My other focus is technical community leadership and contributing to F/OSS. In 2012 I was added as one of the ~350 existing Java Champions for services rendered to the Java ecosystem.
My first book "The Well-Grounded Java Developer" with Ben Evans was published by Manning in June 2012 with the 2nd edition released in 2023.
Outside of work I'm a voracious traveller and love to meet interesting new people in unusual places!
I'm the Principal Software Engineering Group Manager for Java, Golang, and Python at Microsoft. Previously I was the co-founder and CEO at jClarity, which was acquired by Microsoft in August 2019. I am also a mentor at Creative HQ, New Zealand's leading start-up Incubator and the Executive Coach for the C-level suite at Mindstone (mindstone.com).
Formerly I was the Director of the London Java Community (~8000 members) where I co-founded what is now Eclipse Adoptium (adoptium.net), the worlds 2nd largest distributor of OpenJDK binaries. I was also the co-leader of the London CTO's network.
I have over 25 years of experience as a technology professional, open-source software (F/OSS), board member and strategic advisor for startup, fintech, investment banking, insurance, Internet payment, and Cloud SaaS sectors.
You can also find me presenting keynotes and talks at major conferences (Oracle Openworld, Devoxx, OSCON, JAX, etc) on topics such as business strategy, leadership, organisational behaviour, management, team optimization and technical subjects around Agile, Java and Software Development.
My main passion is building and facilitating teams by focusing on social and technical infrastructure. This includes setting an empathetic culture, ensuring transparent communication, mentoring engineering managers, installing a shared vision on the product, and driving execution. Seeing teams of smart, creative people rapidly develop high quality software makes me happy!
My other focus is technical community leadership and contributing to F/OSS. In 2012 I was added as one of the ~350 existing Java Champions for services rendered to the Java ecosystem.
My first book "The Well-Grounded Java Developer" with Ben Evans was published by Manning in June 2012 with the 2nd edition released in 2023.
Outside of work I'm a voracious traveller and love to meet interesting new people in unusual places!
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