Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the software industry at an unprecedented pace, prompting companies to rethink how digital products are designed, built and maintained. Among the organisations leading this transformation is 99x, a Sri Lankan product engineering company that is moving beyond traditional software development by introducing its AI-Development Lifecycle (AI-DLC) and Xianix, an AI-powered engineering platform.
In an exclusive conversation with Mirror Business, Hasith Yaggahavita, CEO of Product Engineering at 99x, shared how AI is reshaping engineering teams, why human expertise remains essential and how Sri Lanka is strengthening its position in global technology innovation.
From Software Development to AI-Development Lifecycle
For decades, software companies have followed the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), where engineers manually handled coding, testing and deployment. However, according to Yaggahavita, AI is fundamentally changing that model.
With AI now capable of generating code, automating testing and improving development speed, engineering teams must shift their focus from repetitive technical tasks to higher-value responsibilities such as strategic thinking, innovation and customer-centric problem-solving.
The result is AI-DLC, a new development framework that integrates artificial intelligence into every stage of product engineering rather than treating it as an additional tool.
Why 99x Chose to Reinvent the Development Process
While many organisations have introduced AI assistants into existing workflows, 99x has taken a broader approach by redesigning the entire engineering lifecycle.
The company’s clients primarily consist of global product and platform businesses that rely on 99x to develop mission-critical software products. In highly competitive markets, simply adopting AI tools is no longer enough to gain an advantage.
Instead, Yaggahavita believes long-term success comes from combining three essential elements:
- Highly skilled engineering teams
- Optimised engineering processes
- Advanced AI technologies
This combination creates a competitive advantage that extends beyond automation alone.
Human Skills Remain the Greatest Competitive Advantage
Although AI continues to automate technical work, Yaggahavita argues that uniquely human qualities will become even more valuable.
Rather than replacing engineers, AI is changing the skills they need to succeed. Critical thinking, creativity, empathy, leadership and decision-making are becoming increasingly important as AI handles repetitive engineering tasks.
Future software professionals will be expected to:
- Understand customer needs
- Provide strategic direction
- Make complex decisions
- Apply contextual thinking
- Collaborate effectively with AI systems
These human capabilities cannot easily be replicated by artificial intelligence.
What Is Xianix?
A key part of 99x’s AI strategy is Xianix, a platform developed to integrate autonomous AI agents directly into engineering teams.
Unlike conventional AI assistants that improve individual productivity, Xianix enables organisations to create specialised AI agents that function as digital team members with clearly defined responsibilities.
These AI agents can support different stages of product development while allowing businesses to build proprietary AI capabilities tailored to their own operations.
This approach enables organisations to create long-term intellectual property instead of relying solely on generic AI tools.
Taking Sri Lankan Innovation to the Global Stage
99x recently introduced Xianix to international audiences through its launch in Oslo, Norway, marking an important milestone for both the company and Sri Lanka’s technology sector.
Yaggahavita believes Sri Lanka’s greatest strength lies not in its size but in the quality, creativity and technical expertise of its engineering workforce.
The international launch positions 99x as an innovation-driven product engineering company rather than simply a software outsourcing provider, demonstrating Sri Lanka’s growing influence in global AI and software development.
Will AI Replace Software Engineers?
The rapid adoption of AI has sparked widespread debate about the future of software engineering jobs.
According to Yaggahavita, history shows that major technological advancements typically increase opportunities for professionals who are willing to adapt.
Instead of eliminating engineers, AI is expected to redefine their responsibilities.
Future engineers will need stronger expertise in:
- Systems thinking
- Product strategy
- Customer understanding
- Complex problem-solving
- AI collaboration
Recognising this shift, 99x continues to invest heavily in employee development through AI training programmes, hackathons, mentoring initiatives and continuous upskilling.
Why Sri Lankan Engineers Continue to Stand Out
Sri Lanka has earned a reputation for producing globally competitive technology professionals.
Yaggahavita attributes this success to more than two decades of experience working with international product companies, helping local engineers develop strong technical expertise alongside accountability, adaptability and curiosity.
When recruiting new talent, 99x looks beyond technical qualifications.
The company values professionals who demonstrate:
- Curiosity
- Ownership
- Continuous learning
- Problem-solving ability
- Adaptability
These qualities are increasingly important as AI reshapes the future of engineering.
Building the Future of Product Engineering
Looking ahead, 99x has identified 2026 as its “Year of Proximity,” focusing on strengthening relationships with customers, improving collaboration across global markets and aligning engineering more closely with business strategy.
The company’s long-term vision extends beyond adopting AI technologies. Instead, it aims to create an engineering culture where human expertise and artificial intelligence work together to deliver greater innovation and business value.
Responsible AI Remains a Priority
As AI systems become more autonomous, responsible governance remains essential.
Yaggahavita emphasises that AI should enhance human decision-making rather than replace it. While platforms like Xianix can automate workflows and provide intelligent recommendations, humans continue to oversee critical decisions, product strategy and ethical considerations.
Beyond internal innovation, 99x also supports responsible AI adoption through partnerships with universities, mentorship programmes, hackathons and educational initiatives designed to prepare future engineers for an AI-driven world.
Innovation Backed by Industry Recognition
99x has recently received several industry awards recognising its innovation and engineering excellence.
According to Yaggahavita, these achievements reflect more than business success—they highlight a company culture built around adaptability, collaboration and continuous learning.
As customer expectations evolve and AI continues to reshape software engineering, 99x is positioning itself at the forefront of the next generation of product development by combining advanced AI capabilities with human expertise.
The Road Ahead
Artificial intelligence is transforming software engineering faster than ever before, but 99x believes the future belongs to organisations that combine technology with human creativity, strategic thinking and continuous innovation.
Through initiatives such as AI-DLC and Xianix, the company is not only redefining product engineering but also demonstrating how Sri Lankan technology talent can contribute to shaping the future of global AI innovation.
