Low-code development in 2026: Where agility meets AI

Low-code development has been gaining momentum for years, but 2026 is shaping up to be the year when it truly elevates the bar. The capabilities are stronger, platforms are smarter, and AI is transforming not just what we build, but how we build it.  Let’s dive into everything you need to know.

 

The state of low-code development today

In its early days, low-code was mostly associated with rapid prototyping or simple internal applications. Those days are long gone. Today, it sits at the heart of large digital programs in companies across the globe, supporting mission-critical systems, modernizing legacy operations, and powering complex workflows efficiently. And the platforms themselves (such as OutSystems, Microsoft Power Platform, Appian, and Mendix) continue evolving rapidly, especially with native AI expansion.

If you’re evaluating low-code development in 2026, the key shift to understanding is this: Low-code is no longer just about speed. It’s about capability. It’s about scale. It’s about intelligence.

 

Why AI changes the trajectory

AI is stepping into the core of low-code. Instead of simply accelerating delivery, it is redefining the development process across every layer:

1. Faster builds with AI-assisted development

AI now drafts data models, generates UI screens, automates repetitive logic, and provides context-aware suggestions. This means teams spend less time on the predictable parts of development and more time on what actually matters: business logic, customer impact, and value creation.

2. Intelligent automation powered by agents

As we move toward 2026, we’re seeing more use of AI agents embedded into low-code applications.
These agents can execute multi-step tasks, interpret unstructured data, interact with other systems autonomously, and adapt workflows based on context. This goes well beyond simple automation. It’s autonomous assistance.

3. Governance, security, and compliance built in

Platforms are now embedding governance frameworks powered by AI, flagging risks, enforcing policies, and monitoring usage. As regulatory pressure increases (AI Act, sector-specific audits, cybersecurity requirements), this is a critical advantage.

4. Faster scaling and future-proof architecture

Low-code's modular development combined with AI orchestration means you can scale functionality, teams, and workloads without re-engineering your entire system. This blend of AI + modularity is why low-code development is so well-positioned for 2026 and beyond.

 

What this means for you and your engineering teams

If you want to innovate at the speed of the business or need to modernize systems without increasing technical debt, low-code development offers practical advantages:

• Move faster with quality - AI accelerates delivery while platforms enforce robust practices and clean architectures.
• Reduce your dependency on scarce skills - Developers still need solid engineering excellence, but low-code reduces the volume of complex coding required.
• Scale solutions quickly as business needs evolve - Updates are quicker, deployment is simpler, and modular architecture allows for incremental growth.
• Empower cross-functional collaboration - Business teams can contribute meaningfully to workflows, backlog shaping, testing, and governance.
• Lower long-term maintenance effort - Visual development and reusable components reduce the cost and complexity of maintaining enterprise-grade systems.
• Boost innovation capacity - By automating low-level work, engineering teams can focus on strategic areas.

And with 2026 poised to bring even more AI-native features to these platforms, the speed and impact will only increase.

 

Key trends shaping low-code development in 2026

1. Low-Code + AI Agents: The new standard

We expect native orchestration of multi-agent systems inside low-code platforms to be mainstream. Think:

• Autonomous assistance (with human supervision)
• Intelligent data routing
• Predictive adjustments to workflows
• Dynamic task assignment based on context

It’s a major step forward. Combining autonomous intelligence with accountable, human-guided control.

2. AI-assisted governance

With platforms gaining sophistication, governance is evolving too. And AI is helping teams stay compliant and consistent by supporting:

• Automated code reviews
• Security and vulnerability scanning
• Architecture and dependency validation
• Policy and standards enforcement

This ensures speed does not come at the cost of quality or safety.

3. Low-code for legacy modernization

Low-code is emerging as the de facto modernization path for:

• Legacy COBOL apps
• Old .NET / Java monoliths
• Fragmented internal tools
• Outdated workflow systems

What changes in 2026 is scale and intent: organizations are modernizing entire portfolios, not isolated applications.

4. Low-code as the front door to enterprise automation

Low-code is positioning itself as the orchestration layer for enterprise automation, bringing together AI, RPA, IDP, APIs, and event-driven systems under a single, cohesive platform. This means teams can deliver:

• Smarter workflows
• Unified user experiences
• Richer automation
• AI-enhanced decision-making
• Consistent governance across systems

5. Integration-first architectures

With OData, APIs, event-driven architectures, and out-of-the-box connectors, engineering teams finally gain agility without sacrificing interoperability.

6. Hybrid delivery teams

The old separation between “traditional developers” and “low-code developers” is fading. High-performing teams now blend:

• OutSystems / Power Platform / Mendix / Appian developers
• Back-end engineers
• Front-end UI/UX specialists
• Data engineers
• AI experts
• QA automation engineers
• Cloud and DevOps roles

This multidisciplinary model is the future, and we live it every day at 99x.

 

A practical example: Low-code + AI in action

To make this more tangible, here’s a real project where we used low-code development to transform a highly complex process.

The challenge

A major gaming and betting company in the UK was handling Customer Due Diligence manually: more than 8,000 cases a year, 12+ systems, and nearly four hours per case. They needed automation, centralization, auditability, and a platform that could finally scale.

What we built

Using OutSystems as the orchestration layer, we delivered an end-to-end compliance platform combining:

• Modular workflows
• Intelligent Document Processing (IDP)
• RPA with UiPath
• AI-based summaries and recommendations
• Snowflake integration
• Enterprise-grade authentication with Azure AD

The result
A dramatic reduction in manual work, faster case processing, higher accuracy, full traceability, and teams free to focus on high-value decisions instead of routine tasks.

 

What to consider when using low-code development in 2026

If you're planning to adopt or expand low-code in your organization, here are critical points to keep in mind:

• Choose a platform that aligns with your goals - Each one can bring different strengths to different types of use cases.
• Invest in hybrid teams - Low-code accelerates delivery, but good engineering foundations still make all the difference.
• Put governance in place early - As low-code scales, clear guardrails ensure consistency, quality, and security.
• Don’t underestimate architecture - Low-code simplifies execution, not architectural thinking. Good design remains essential.
• Pair low-code with AI intentionally - Adopt AI where it drives measurable outcomes, not because it’s a trend.
• Focus on value, not output - The real ROI comes from solving meaningful problems, not building fast for the sake of speed.

 

How we support you at 99x Portugal

If you're looking to accelerate product development, low-code is a powerful lever but only when supported by the right people, practices, and expertise. At 99x, we help you:

• Build scalable digital products using OutSystems, Power Platform, Appian or Mendix
• Integrate AI into your business workflows
• Combine low-code with full-stack engineering
• Automate development workflows using AI agents
• Ensure governance, quality, and architecture maturity
• Scale teams with experienced low-code specialists

Technology alone doesn’t drive transformation. People do. And our teams bring both the engineering maturity and the collaborative mindset to help you turn your roadmap into impact. Let’s talk.