Software Engineering

7 Hard-Learned Lessons for Architecting Generative AI in 2026

Ready to move past the AI hype? Forget the 'magic' marketing promises. This guide dives into the architectural reality of GenAI in 2026, focusing on agentic workflows, the rise of Small Language Models (SLMs), and why fine-tuning is usually a costly distraction. We explore real production failures, cost-optimization strategies, and the transition from simple prompt engineering to full-stack AI system design. Stop building toys and start building resilient, scalable AI infrastructure.