From code to captaincy: AWS’ agentic AI playbook

For years, the developer’s role was straightforward: write code, define instructions, and make sure machines executed them correctly.

Cloud computing changed that once, abstracting away infrastructure so developers could focus on outcomes instead of operations.

Now, another shift is under way.

At DevSparks Bengaluru 2026, Praful Bagai, Head of Developer Relations for AWS in India and South Asia, argued that developers are entering an era where the job is less about programming functions and more about leading intelligent systems.

In his lightning talk, ‘The agentic shift: From writing code to leading systems’, Bagai drew a sharp line between generative AI applications and true agentic systems — and he used cricket to make the point.