Everything We Talked About at O11yCon 2026

O11yCon 2026 showcased the transformative impact of agent-based software development, emphasizing its inevitability and the challenges it poses in terms of performance and cost efficiency. A series of talks highlighted the shift in software creation dynamics, with discussions on AI's varying outcomes in different team environments and the bottlenecks in code review processes. Honeycomb introduced innovative tools like Canvas and Agent Timelines, enhancing collaboration and visualization in agent interactions. The conference also addressed the blurring roles of software engineers and SREs, the evolving nature of code reviews, and the necessity of robust observability practices. Speakers underscored the importance of trusted knowledge bases, the redefined roles of security as facilitators rather than gatekeepers, and the need for behavioral observability in AI-driven environments. The event concluded with insights on how traditional metrics and logs are becoming obsolete in favor of trace documentation, urging organizations to adapt swiftly to these evolving paradigms.