Reflections on Microsoft Build 2025: Strategic Insights for Decision Makers by Russ Harding

At Microsoft Build 2025, GitHub Copilot and the Model Context Protocol (MCP) were not just announcements—they were signals. We are not being asked to adopt new tools; we are being asked to rethink how software is built, governed, and scaled. Copilot is evolving from autocomplete to autonomous collaborator. MCP is laying the groundwork for secure, interoperable AI agents. The opportunity is massive—but only for teams willing to pair velocity with vigilance. Plan for autonomy, build for control.

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AI Coding Agents Will Promote You To Tech Lead by Ed Lyons

Many experienced software developers have remained individual contributors and are not currently playing the role of tech lead, but coding agents will now be their direct reports. Like it or not, human engineers will have to talk to the agents daily, correct them, and make sure they do a good job. These human developers are now faced with a choice: either be in charge of the agents, or compete with them directly. 

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Ed Lyons
Before AI Gets Smart, Your Data Needs to Grow Up by Ranjan Bhattacharya

The modern data stack (MDS) is a critical enabler for enterprise AI success, providing the trusted infrastructure that ensures data is clean, consistent, and governed. While AI captures executive attention, its effectiveness hinges on the quality of the data it consumes. The MDS addresses long-standing challenges like data silos, inconsistent metrics, and governance gaps—ensuring AI outputs are accurate, compliant, and reliable.

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Ranjan Bhattacharya
AI Coding Agents: Powerful Magic that is Not Easy to Control by Ed Lyons

Two conclusions about agent-based coding tools: First, this technology is too powerful not to use, even if there are challenges. There is no future in professional developers installing packages, typing out obvious unit tests, and doing standard refactorings by hand. Second, you have to put in real work learning how to use agents. Because if you don’t learn how to be The Sorcerer, you will end up being the apprentice. Your castle will become flooded, and your boss is not going to be happy when he gets back.

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Ed Lyons