Exploring AI agent platforms

Exploring AI agent platforms

From Thoughtworks Technology Podcast by Thoughtworks

January 22, 2026 · 38 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of AI agent platforms in software engineering and the challenges of developing them.

If AI agents really are the future of how work will be done — in software engineering and beyond — the platforms on which they are built, run and maintained will be crucial. This is a topic two Thoughtworkers, Ben O'Mahony and Fabian Nonnenmacher, are currently writing about. Although not due to be published until early 2027, the first two chapters of Building AI Agent Platforms are now available as part of O'Reilly's Early Release scheme. Its goal is to provide readers with a complete roadmap for developing AI agent platforms, from agent development to architectural principles to observability and governance. In this episode of the Technology Podcast, the authors speak to regular host Ken Mugrage about the book, why agent platforms are a critical part of any AI strategy and some of the challenges of developing and maintaining them. Listen for an early look at what looks set to be a valuable book in the world of AI development and to gain a clearer perspective on what agentic AI really means at the start of 2026. Learn more about Building AI Agent Platforms : https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/building-ai-agent/0642572243906/

People in this episode

Host: Ken Mugrage

Guests: Ben O'Mahony, Fabian Nonnenmacher

Topics covered

  • AI agents
  • software engineering
  • platform development
  • architecture
  • observability
  • governance

Keywords

  • AI agents
  • platforms
  • software engineering
  • architecture
  • governance
  • observability
  • development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: O'Reilly

Books & works: Building AI Agent Platforms

More episodes of Thoughtworks Technology Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Thoughtworks Technology Podcast podcast page.