Beyond Copilot: Agentic Java Development with Claude Code - Victor Szoltysek

Most Java developers have tried AI-assisted coding through chat interfaces or inline autocomplete. Useful — but limited.

In this talk, we’ll explore the next step: agentic Java development using Claude Code. Instead of treating AI as a smarter text box, we’ll look at what changes when the model can reason across files, plan multi-step changes, interact with tools, and operate closer to how real developers work.

This will be a practical, experience-driven session focused on:
• How agentic coding differs from ChatGPT-style prompting and traditional Copilot usage
• Where Claude Code fits (and where it doesn’t) in real Java projects
• How tools, context, and workflows matter more than “prompt tricks”
• How to avoid unstructured vibe coding while still moving faster

No prior experience with agentic tools is required. The goal isn’t to sell a silver bullet — it’s to help Java developers understand what’s genuinely new, what’s hype, and how these tools can be used responsibly in real-world codebases.

About the venue
Free Times Cafe has bistro-style seating and a full food and drink menu. Please consider helping to support the venue by planning to have supper during the talk.

Speaker Bio
Victor Szoltysek is a seasoned consultant and technologist, currently at RAVL, where he helps clients eliminate the inefficiencies of undifferentiated heavy lifting and focus on building solutions that drive real business value for their customers. With a career spanning notable organizations like Accenture, Pivotal, and ThoughtWorks, as well as numerous startups, Victor brings a wealth of experience in cloud transformations, DevOps enablement, and Agile software development.

A dedicated Java enthusiast with a sharp eye for cutting-edge technologies, Victor’s work frequently intersects with AWS, where he strives to streamline workflows and help teams leverage the cloud without unnecessary complexity. Recently, he’s also ventured into the dynamic world of artificial intelligence, exploring ways to make programming more engaging, efficient, and rewarding.

Victor is known for his humorous and sometimes controversial presentation style, ensuring lively discussions and thought-provoking takeaways. His disdain for overly complex tech solutions drives his mission to simplify the way we build and deploy software. Whether he’s sharing insights about Java, AWS, or AI, Victor’s talks are as energizing and satisfying as your favorite cup of coffee. Don’t miss his unique blend of wit, wisdom, and deep technical expertise at our meetup!