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Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
AI Coding Agents: Driving The Next Evolution In Software Development
Vikas Mendhe is a solution architect and digital transformation expert specializing in API-driven solutions in financial technology. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, one of the most significant innovations in the software world is the rise of coding agents. They are reshaping how code is written, tested and maintained, marking a new era in software development. What Are Coding Agents? Coding agents are intelligent systems powered by large language models that write, debug and optimize code. They generate APIs, refactor legacy systems, write tests and even build apps with minimal input. Popular tools include GitHub Copilot, Amazon CodeWhisperer and Tabnine. New-generation assistants such as Cursor, Windsurf (recently acquired by OpenAI) and Cline focus on deeper IDE integration, context retention and developer autonomy. Industry Adoption The adoption of coding agents is gaining momentum across sectors. Tech companies are embedding coding assistants into their workflows, startups are exploring autonomous agents like AutoGPT and Devin for rapid prototyping and governments are integrating them cautiously for tasks like data transformation, compliance automation and internal tool development. While accuracy and oversight concerns remain, the shift toward AI-assisted development is well underway. Language-Specific Strengths Of Popular Coding Agents As coding agents continue to evolve, developers often look for tools that best support the languages they work in. • GitHub Copilot thrives in Python, JavaScript and TypeScript, with robust IDE integration. • Amazon CodeWhisperer specializes in Java, Python and JavaScript, featuring AWS-native tools and cloud focus. • Cursor excels in TypeScript and Python, with built-in memory and pair programming. • Tabnine supports Java, Python, C++ and Go with offline capability and customization. • Claude Code optimizes Shell, Python and Bash for terminal-based tasks. • Devin, a Python-based agent, enables complex, multi-step, end-to-end coding automation. Real-World Case Studies Let's just take a look at GitHub Copilot's applications in the real world. ANZ Bank's 2024 trial of GitHub Copilot showed engineers completing tasks 42% faster with improved code quality. Accenture's enterprise study found Copilot users coding 55% faster, with 90% reporting higher fulfillment. And a 2025 ZoomInfo case study involving over 400 developers reported a 33% code acceptance rate and 72% satisfaction. These findings show coding agents reduce repetitive work and free developers for higher-value tasks. Impact On Software Development Coding agents could transform software development from end to end. For developers, they act as smart copilots, automating repetitive tasks and simplifying complex workflows. Businesses gain faster delivery, lower costs and greater agility, turning ideas into prototypes in days instead of weeks. These tools also democratize development: Non-coders can build apps using natural language, and junior developers can produce better code with minimal oversight. Educational studies confirm this potential. AI code completion tools enhance student productivity and engagement while preserving problem-solving and conceptual learning. Programs such as the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI are exploring how such tools support computer science education at scale. Behind The Scenes Of Coding Agents Most coding agents are built on transformer-based LLMs such as OpenAI's Codex and GPT-4. Popular tools like GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisperer operate through IDE plugins, sending prompts to remote model APIs. GPT-4o mini supports a 128K token context window, enabling broader file-level reasoning. Claude 3.7 Sonnet offers 200K tokens for extended reasoning workflows. Gemini 1.5 Pro surpasses both with a 2M token context, ideal for workflows spanning entire codebases. More autonomous agents, such as AutoGPT and Devin, use frameworks like LangChain to chain prompts, memory and shell commands, completing multi-step engineering tasks with minimal human input. Terminal-Based Coding Agents In parallel, new terminal-based coding agents are emerging to support command-line workflows for professional developers. Tools like Claude Code, Codex CLI and Gemini CLI bring AI-powered development directly into the terminal environment, enabling agents to execute commands, write scripts and interact with live file systems, all while preserving developer autonomy. Coding Agents As A Service Despite advances, coding agents can still produce insecure or low-quality code. Safeguards like validation mechanisms and inline linting help, but human oversight remains essential. Rigorous testing, linting and code reviews should be part of every deployment pipeline. Code Quality, Security And The Role Of Supervision Despite advances, coding agents still generate insecure code and lack deep understanding of intent. Recent advancements have introduced better safeguards, validation mechanisms and inline linting. However, ongoing oversight remains essential. This underscores the need for rigorous testing, linting and human code review pipelines before production deployment. Getting Started With AI Coding Agents Before adopting AI coding agents, focus on clear, high-value use cases and choose tools suited to those needs instead of automating everything. Keep humans in the loop by ensuring AI-generated code undergoes rigorous testing, security scans and peer reviews. Research shows nearly half of developers don't fully trust AI output and often spend extra time debugging it. Be mindful of data privacy, intellectual property and licensing rules to avoid compliance issues, and set governance policies to prevent security blind spots and vendor lock-in. To mitigate common pitfalls—such as inaccurate code, scope creep, security risks and hidden costs—start with structured pilot programs that have measurable outcomes. Enterprise case studies show that successful rollouts often begin with controlled experiments, formal risk assessments and well-defined change management plans. Strong guardrails, clear policies and an ongoing review process help organizations capture productivity gains while maintaining quality and security. Conclusion Coding agents are not meant to replace human developers—they are tools that help make their work faster and easier. As more companies start using them, it's important to find the right mix between automation and human control. When used responsibly, coding agents can help teams work more efficiently, come up with new ideas and change the way software is built in the AI era. Everyone, not just developers, should understand what coding agents can and can't do, especially those shaping the future. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Top Mistakes To Avoid When Monetizing A Browser Extension
A browser extension or Web-based tool often begins as a team's passion project or a convenience feature. But when a company tries to quickly turn such a tool into a new revenue stream, it can backfire. Missteps like adding a paywall too soon or overlooking what users actually value can damage trust and tank growth. Below, members of Forbes Technology Council break down some of the most common mistakes companies make when attempting to monetize browser tools—and what to do instead. Their insights can help you build a product that delivers real value and earns user buy-in for the long haul. 1. Assuming Your Brand Name Or 'AI' Is Enough To Lure Users Many companies push users away because the tool hasn't proven its value yet. They also think that just adding their brand name or the word 'AI' will make people pay, but that's not enough. Instead, they should focus on solving real problems and making the tool helpful. Once people find it useful and keep coming back, it's easier to add paid features that offer extra value. - Vikas Mendhe, LaunchIT Corp 2. Monetizing In Ways That Contradict Users' Expectations Don't jump to monetization that contradicts why users adopted your tool. For instance, ad blockers that monetize by showing 'allowlisted' ads dilute the original value proposition. Instead, build revenue streams that enhance the experience. For instance, Grammarly started as a free spell checker and then offered premium features like writing suggestions, plagiarism checks and so on. - Rachana Mansinghka, Gusto Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify? 3. Treating The Browser Like A Vending Machine One mistake? They treat the browser like a vending machine—insert user, press button and out pops cash. Instead, treat it like a coffee shop. Create an experience people want to linger in, come back to and maybe even bring their friends to. Monetization follows loyalty, not the other way around. - Prashanthi Reddy, Wasl Group 4. Prioritizing New Features Over Real User Value One of the most prevalent errors I see businesses make in attempting to monetize a browser tool is emphasizing features over actual user value. It is easy to fill a tool full of shiny features, but unless you are solving a customer's real problem or fitting well into their process, adoption and retention will be poor. Monetization is successful only when users see regular, substantial benefits. - Harshit Jain, Doceree 5. Chasing Revenue Too Quickly We're seeing a shift in the venture capital world—monthly recurring revenue and annual recurring revenue are valued more highly than simple user growth metrics, so everyone's chasing revenue without taking time to experiment or gather user feedback on a product. People assume it will work, but it mostly doesn't. Many browser tools today are not worth what they charge. Companies should instead launch a free version, get user feedback, iterate, and then launch a premium offering. - Rahul Arulkumaran, Yuma 6. Failing To Focus First On Trust When trying to turn a browser tool into a revenue stream, some companies rush to monetize features without first building trust. A browser tool without strong identity controls, proper logging or a clear consent model bleeds value. Instead, treat digital trust as the end product and the browser tool as the means to get there. Tie features to verified identity, enforce privacy by design and monetize the confidence. - Dan Sorensen 7. Skipping Product-Market Fit Validation One common mistake is launching a browser tool before validating product-market fit and/or without adequate experimentation. Without real user demand, even the best monetization strategy will fall flat. Instead, teams should first test for engagement, retention and value delivery, then layer on monetization once there's clear evidence the tool solves a real user need. - Karthik Subramanian, Mozilla Corporation 8. Relying On Selling User Data Unfortunately, we have an infrastructure today that means most companies turn to a revenue stream that's based on the sale of data, where human behavior is treated as a commodity. It might bring short-term profits, but it's a mistake for us as a society to accept it. We need to reverse this trend and focus on creating value for people instead of exploiting the most private parts of their lives. - Jan Jonsson, Mullvad VPN AB 9. Charging For Previously Free Features Often, companies put a paywall on features users have already been using and expect to be free, alienating their existing base. Instead, add premium features that enhance the core experience, like advanced analytics, team collaboration or enterprise integrations. - Swati Tyagi 10. Trying To Monetize Before Building A Loyal User Base Attempting to monetize too early—before establishing a committed user base and demonstrating the tool's value to the community they have built—is one key mistake. It's crucial to first focus on engaging and retaining users. A strong foundation of loyal users not only enhances long-term monetization potential, but also drives organic growth through advocacy, feedback loops and co-creation. - Mohan Subrahmanya, Insight Enterprises 11. Ignoring Pricing Tiers And User Segmentation A frequent misstep is imposing uniform pricing, disregarding the nuanced needs of diverse user segments. This approach alienates both power users and casual adopters. In pricing, one size doesn't fit all. Implementing modular pricing with defined upgrade paths and usage thresholds optimizes user value delivery and enhances revenue capture across the spectrum. - Nitesh Sinha, Sacumen 12. Launching Internally Built Tools Without Preparing For Scaling A common mistake is assuming an internally developed browser tool is ready for commercial use. Without reworking the architecture for scale, adding error handling and load testing for volume, companies risk launching something that breaks under pressure or that is not prepared to handle real-world uses that fall outside of the initial use cases. - Josh Dunham, Reveel 13. Mistaking Convenience For Capability Many companies mistake convenience for capability, assuming a browser tool can scale into a product without rethinking security, UX or data integrity. Instead, they should design for resilience from day one. Build around real workflows, test for failure modes and layer in monetization only after proving consistent value and trust with users. - Jason Nathaniel Ader, Qryptonic, Inc. 14. Switching To A Paid Model Without Warning A common mistake is suddenly switching a free browser tool to a paid model without warning users, which leads to backlash and lost trust. Instead, companies should communicate changes early, offer a free tier (freemium) and focus on building trust and a strong user experience. - Ajit Sahu, Walmart 15. Prioritizing Revenue Over CX To build a sustainable revenue model and achieve long-term growth, companies must go beyond focusing solely on revenue. Instead, prioritize customer experience and cultivate a loyal customer base by offering a service that becomes essential to their lives. Neglecting these aspects for short-term monetization will ultimately limit future growth potential. - Abhi Shimpi 16. Overloading Tools With Ads Or Paywalls One common mistake is neglecting user experience by overloading the tool with intrusive ads or paywalls, which drives users away. Instead, companies should focus on understanding the audience and delivering value. Create a seamless, user-friendly experience that encourages engagement and builds trust before monetizing. - Lori Schafer, Digital Wave Technology 17. Monetizing Generic Features Instead Of What Users Truly Value Misaligned value anchoring is a common mistake. Companies err by monetizing generic features, not what users value (for example, seamless checkout), which can significantly cut retention. Instead, study usage to find the core value users love, then monetize premium add-ons such as analytics or integrations. This keeps users engaged with free essentials and hooked on essential functionality while driving upsell and cross-sell revenue. - Durga Krishnamoorthy, Cognizant Technology Solutions 18. Monetizing Before Solving A High-Stakes Problem The common mistake is trying to monetize a tool before proving it solves a high-stakes problem. Just because users log in doesn't mean they'll pay. Before adding pricing, clarify the economic buyer, the problem you're solving and how it impacts their bottom line. Otherwise, you're monetizing convenience, not value. - Chandler Barron, Barron Advisory™ 19. Gating Basic Features Too Early Gating features up front under the guise of personalization often impedes adoption. Basic features should be available for anyone to try and use freely with no signup. Almost every feature set should be set up for a freemium model, with monetization kicking in for increased consumption. Classic examples of this are Google and They allowed usage with no sign-ups; ChatGPT had to follow suit. - Bharath Balasubramanian, Salesforce 20. Monetizing An Interface Instead Of Utility A browser tool isn't a product, it's a behavior lens. A mistake is monetizing the interface, not the behavior it reveals. Instead, turn behavioral data into insight, insight into prediction and prediction into enterprise-grade utility. Revenue flows when you sell the foresight, not the form. - Roman Vinogradov, Improvado
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Integrating Digital Payments: A Strategic Imperative For Small Business Resilience
Vikas Mendhe is a solution architect and digital transformation expert specializing in API-driven solutions in financial technology. As consumer behavior shifts rapidly toward digital-first experiences, small businesses must evolve or risk falling behind. Digital payments are no longer a luxury—they're a necessity. From mobile wallets and QR codes to Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and AI-powered fraud prevention, today's payment ecosystem offers incredible opportunities. WorldPay, a global payment processing company, forecasts digital payments will account for 79% of e-commerce value and 53% of in-person transactions by 2030. The global payment landscape has transformed dramatically. Customers expect faster, easier ways to pay. Whether it's tapping a phone to pay in-store or using a Buy Now, Pay Later option online, shoppers prefer businesses that make the process simple. For small businesses, this shift means more sales, bigger purchases and better cash flow. In a competitive market, offering modern payment options helps small businesses attract and keep loyal customers. Digital payments simplify operations beyond customer convenience. Automation reduces manual work like invoicing, tax and reporting. Integration with accounting tools improves cash flow visibility, enabling faster, informed decisions. Even though digital payments offer big benefits, many small businesses find it hard to set them up. Most business owners don't have an IT team to help with the process. Picking the right payment system, setting up the connections and making sure it works with their current setup can feel confusing and overwhelming. Another challenge is cost. Even though digital payment tools can save money over time, getting started can be expensive. Small businesses may need to buy new systems, devices that support contactless payments and software licenses. This upfront cost can be hard to manage. Security and following the rules are ongoing concerns for small businesses. Many owners don't fully understand standards like PCI DSS, which are meant to protect payment information. Even when small businesses use outside services to help, many still have a hard time staying fully compliant. Small businesses often struggle with serious cash flow problems due to frequent delays in receiving payments. While access to instant payments is still limited for many of them, it's a vital solution that can help smaller firms manage their finances more effectively. To deal with these challenges, small businesses need a smart and simple plan. A good first step is to use easy-to-set-up, cloud-based payment systems like Stripe, Square or PayPal. These tools are user-friendly, come with built-in support and don't require a lot of technical setup. They also offer helpful features like fraud protection, help with following payment rules and the ability to grow as the business grows. For budget-conscious businesses, QR code payments and peer-to-peer apps like Zelle, Cash App and Venmo are affordable options. They are easy to use and don't cost much. Some businesses also use platforms like Coinbase Commerce to accept cryptocurrency, which can save on regular transaction fees and help them stay up to date with future payment trends. Training and education are important for long-term success. Payment providers should offer easy-to-follow guides, online workshops and support teams to help business owners and staff understand the system and follow the rules. Payments are a key service for financial institutions (FIs) to win and retain small business clients. Offering features like automation, real-time payments and clear reporting can drive loyalty, especially as many small businesses are open to switching providers. Since most small businesses are willing to pay fees for instant access to their funds, financial institutions have a clear opportunity to generate revenue by offering real-time payment solutions tailored to this segment. Many small businesses lack payment expertise and struggle with choosing the right options online. This gives FIs a chance to guide them, strengthening trust and relationships. They also seek data-driven insights to make smarter financial decisions and improve efficiency. Additionally, small businesses want timely alerts about payments at risk of being late so they can proactively address potential issues before they impact operations. More than half of small businesses suffer from late payments in the U.K. Buy Now, Pay Later services are rapidly becoming a game-changer for online and retail businesses. Providers like Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm allow customers to split their payments into interest-free installments. This not only boosts customer purchasing power but also significantly improves conversion rates. Government-backed instant payment systems have emerged as critical infrastructure for consumer payments. Instant payment systems combine payment authorization and settlement into a single process, allowing funds to transfer in seconds. Account-to-account transfers via various instant payment systems now account for 17% of e-commerce and 4% of physical retail regional transaction value in Europe. Looking ahead, AI-driven fraud prevention, embedded finance and subscription billing are transforming small business payments. These tools enhance security, offer predictive insights and support smarter decision-making. Embedded payment features like integrating checkout directly within social media or business platforms will reduce friction and increase conversion. Accenture projects social commerce to hit $1.2 trillion by 2025, driven largely by Gen Z and millennials. Subscription models are gaining popularity, providing steady revenue and improving retention. Shopify notes that 58% of consumers say great service impacts their buying decisions, with 43% likely to use live chat soon. Small businesses that embrace these trends early will lead, not follow. The integration of digital payments is more than a technical upgrade—it's a transformation that touches every part of a business. While challenges exist, the solutions are within reach. By adopting the right tools, forming strategic partnerships and investing in education, small businesses can thrive in this digital-first economy. Now is the time to move beyond hesitation and into action. Small businesses that prioritize smart payment integration today will not only increase sales and efficiency but will also be better prepared for the innovations of tomorrow. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
