The role of AI in software engineering is evolving beyond code generation, with AI agents increasingly being used to handle defined tasks, work across systems and support multiple stages of the development lifecycle. Global technology company 99x is actively exploring this shift through its AI-driven development lifecycle (AI-DLC), while investing in initiatives that provide its engineers with practical, hands-on AI experience.
As part of this effort, 99x has developed its Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs), who work closely with teams to identify opportunities to apply AI within real-world engineering environments.
ELEVATE 2026 Brings AI Agents into Practice
One of the company’s latest initiatives, ELEVATE 2026, was an internal hackathon that brought together more than 150 employees across 30 teams. Participants were challenged to develop AI agents addressing problems drawn from their own project domains.
The scale of the initiative was also reflected in its evaluation process, with five judging panels comprising technical and business leaders assessing the solutions developed by the participating teams.
99x’s Xianix platform brings together specialised AI agents, Forward Deployed Engineers and engineering guardrails within a delivery pod. Its core agents support areas including requirements analysis, technical design, pull request reviews, test planning and release management, while human engineers remain accountable for decisions throughout each stage.
ELEVATE 2026 gave employees an opportunity to take this concept beyond product architecture and apply it directly to practical engineering challenges.
“The ELEVATE hackathon was structured around problems our teams already encounter in delivery. We wanted teams to go beyond prompting an AI model and think about an agent as part of an engineering workflow, what triggers it, what it produces, how that output moves to the next stage and, importantly, where a human needs to make the decision. That is where agentic development becomes much more than simply generating code faster,” said Yohan Gunathilaka, Senior Manager – Software Engineering at 99x.
Keeping Engineers at the Centre
99x does not position its AI agents as replacements for software engineers. Instead, as AI agents take on routine analysis, preparation and first-pass tasks, engineers are expected to develop new capabilities in evaluating AI-generated output, managing risks, providing appropriate context and making decisions where human judgement remains essential.
Through initiatives such as ELEVATE 2026, 99x is giving its teams opportunities to explore how agentic AI can be integrated into existing engineering workflows while maintaining human oversight and accountability.
The Cove Hiriketiya Opens as a Boutique Beachfront Retreat on Sri Lanka’s South Coast
The Cove Hiriketiya has officially launched its nine-room boutique property overlooking Hiriketiya Bay in Dikwella on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Located approximately three hours by road from Colombo and Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the beachfront property is now accepting reservations, with its launch celebrations scheduled to begin on-site in Hiriketiya on 3 October 2026.
A Boutique Stay Overlooking Hiriketiya Bay
Positioned on a corner of the bay and elevated three metres above the beachfront, The Cove offers uninterrupted views across Hiriketiya’s distinctive horseshoe-shaped coastline.
The property was founded by Melbourne-based investor Paul McCann alongside Sri Lankan-Australian technology entrepreneur Krishan Deegalla, following several years of watching Hiriketiya evolve from a quiet surf-town destination into one of South Asia’s increasingly recognised coastal escapes.
“We didn't set out to build a resort. We wanted three villas, a very good view and a place that felt like home away from home,” said Paul McCann, founder of The Cove.
The Cove’s design draws from tropical modernism, with an emphasis on simplicity and a strong connection to the surrounding environment. Each building is finished in a bespoke deep jungle green, allowing the structures to blend naturally into the landscape.
The interiors feature Sri Lankan antiques alongside carefully selected materials and textiles sourced from across the island. Each element has been intentionally chosen to create an authentic local experience for guests.
“Hiriketiya still feels like it's being discovered. We wanted The Cove to belong to that moment, not compete with it,” McCann added.
Three Villas and Nine Rooms
The property spans 150 perches on a hilltop and comprises three villas with nine rooms in total.
Villa Sagara occupies the property’s most prominent position by the water. Its two king rooms open directly towards the bay, bringing guests close to the sound and atmosphere of the waves.
99x Advances AI Capabilities Through ELEVATE Agentic AI Hackathon
