Gemini Code Assist, Google’s AI coding assistant, gets ‘agentic’ abilities

Tech Crunch - Apr 9th, 2025
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Gemini Code Assist, Google's AI-driven coding assistant, has been enhanced with new 'agentic' capabilities, as announced during the Cloud Next conference. These upgrades empower the tool to deploy AI 'agents' capable of executing multi-step tasks like creating applications from Google Docs specifications, transforming code between languages, and implementing new app features. The improved Code Assist is now integrated into Android Studio, among other platforms, likely in response to competitive pressures from rivals like GitHub Copilot and Devin. The AI coding assistant market is rapidly evolving, driven by the technology's potential to significantly boost productivity.

Despite these advancements, questions remain about the reliability of Code Assist and similar tools. The new agents can generate work plans, execute code reviews, and create unit tests, but concerns over the introduction of security vulnerabilities and bugs persist. Studies indicate that even the most advanced AI coding assistants struggle with programming logic, as evidenced by a recent evaluation of the Devin tool, which completed only three out of 20 tasks successfully. Therefore, while Code Assist offers promising features, users are advised to thoroughly review the AI-generated code to ensure safety and accuracy.

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RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and generally clear overview of Google's Gemini Code Assist and its new capabilities. It effectively communicates the potential of AI coding assistants to enhance productivity in software development. However, the article's accuracy is somewhat limited by a lack of detailed evidence and source attribution, which affects its credibility. The piece would benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives, including insights from competitors, users, and industry experts. While the article is relevant and easy to read, its potential impact and engagement are constrained by the absence of in-depth analysis and exploration of broader implications. Overall, the article serves as an informative introduction to the topic but could be strengthened by greater transparency and a more comprehensive exploration of the issues at play.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The news story provides a generally accurate portrayal of Google's Gemini Code Assist and its new capabilities. It accurately reports that Code Assist is gaining 'agentic' capabilities and that these agents can perform complex tasks like application creation and code transformation. However, the story lacks specific examples or case studies to support these claims, which makes it difficult to fully verify their accuracy. Additionally, the article mentions competitive pressure from GitHub Copilot and other rivals, but does not provide concrete evidence or statements from Google to substantiate this claim. The mention of security vulnerabilities and bugs in AI-generated code is consistent with existing studies, yet the article could benefit from citing specific research or expert opinions to bolster this point.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the capabilities and potential of Google's Gemini Code Assist, with some acknowledgment of its limitations, such as the potential for security vulnerabilities. However, it does not delve deeply into the perspectives of users or developers who might have concerns or criticisms about the tool. The piece also briefly mentions competitive pressures but does not explore the viewpoints of competitors or industry experts on how Code Assist compares to other AI coding tools. This lack of diverse perspectives limits the article's balance, as it predominantly highlights Google's advancements without equally weighing potential downsides or industry challenges.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and concise, effectively communicating the main points about Gemini Code Assist's new capabilities. The language is straightforward, and the structure is logical, with a clear progression from the introduction of the tool to its potential applications and limitations. However, some technical terms, such as 'agentic capabilities' and 'Kanban board,' may not be immediately understandable to all readers, which could affect comprehension. Overall, the article maintains a neutral tone and provides a coherent overview of the topic.

5
Source quality

The article does not specify the sources of its information, which raises questions about the credibility and reliability of the claims made. There are no direct quotes from Google representatives or references to official announcements, which would have strengthened the article's authority. The absence of cited studies or expert opinions, particularly regarding the limitations of AI coding tools, further diminishes the source quality. Without clear attribution, readers are left to assume the information is accurate, which is a significant oversight in reporting.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of how the information was gathered and the basis for its claims. It does not disclose the sources of its information or explain the methodology behind the claims about Code Assist's capabilities. Furthermore, there is no discussion of potential conflicts of interest, such as Google's motivations for promoting these new features. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to assess the impartiality of the article and trust the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/09/gemini-code-assist-googles-ai-coding-assistant-gets-agentic-upgrades/
  2. https://siliconangle.com/2025/04/09/agentic-ai-google-cloud-transforming-almost-every-aspect-app-development/
  3. https://cloud.google.com/products/gemini/code-assist
  4. https://codeassist.google
  5. https://blog.google/technology/developers/gemini-code-assist-free/