Google is pushing the boundaries of AI coding assistants—and I got a firsthand look at its newest updates during Cloud Next 2025. Gemini Code Assist, the tech giant’s AI-powered coding tool, just received a major capability upgrade that introduces what Google calls “agentic” functionality. This could completely change how developers like me build, review, and ship code.
What Are Agentic Capabilities in Gemini Code Assist?
During the Cloud Next conference, Google showcased the new abilities of Code Assist’s AI agents. These aren’t just your typical auto-complete helpers. We’re talking about full-fledged agents that can take multi-step actions to accomplish complex tasks—on their own.
For instance, they can take a product requirement doc from Google Docs and build an entire app from it. They can also migrate code between programming languages, add new features, perform full code reviews, and even write unit tests and documentation.
All of this is managed via a new Kanban-style board integrated directly into Gemini Code Assist.
A Clear Response to Rising AI Coding Competition
It’s obvious Google isn’t letting GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or Devin from Cognition Labs steal the spotlight. Each of those tools has carved out a niche by improving productivity for developers. But Google has something others don’t: deep integration across its own suite of tools like Android Studio, Google Docs, and Cloud services.
As someone who codes regularly, the prospect of having an AI assistant that understands my Google-based workflows is incredibly appealing. Gemini Code Assist now works inside Android Studio too, making it even more versatile.
What Can These AI Agents Actually Do?
Let me list the most promising things Code Assist can now handle:
- Generate complete applications from specs in Google Docs.
- Migrate code from one programming language to another.
- Add new features to existing apps.
- Perform comprehensive code reviews with suggestions.
- Write unit tests and generate documentation.
And the kicker? It shows all of this in a visual Kanban board so you can track what’s happening, step-by-step.
But Don’t Trust It Blindly—Yet
Despite all the hype, it’s important to be realistic. AI coding tools are still far from perfect. A recent evaluation of Devin—one of Gemini’s rivals—showed it could only complete 3 out of 20 tasks successfully. That’s a reminder that these tools are helpful, but not flawless.
If you’re like me and thinking about letting Code Assist refactor your app or write something from scratch, my advice is to always do a manual review. These tools still introduce bugs and security vulnerabilities more often than we’d like.
What This Means for Developers
This update isn’t just a minor improvement—it’s Google saying that AI won’t just assist; it’ll lead. As someone who lives and breathes code, I find this shift both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. It’s clear that AI is about to become less of a tool and more of a coding partner.
I’m looking forward to testing these new agents more deeply, especially in real-world app development scenarios. But I’ll also be keeping a close eye on the output—because no AI, no matter how powerful, is a substitute for good old human intuition and experience.
Gemini Code Assist’s new agentic capabilities are a massive leap toward AI-driven development. Google is clearly betting on the idea that developers want more than just code suggestions—they want end-to-end assistance. And now, they might just have it.
If you’re already part of the Android or Google Cloud ecosystem, this upgrade could be a game-changer for your workflow. Just remember: review everything, and never let convenience compromise code quality.
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