Kotlin gets a new AI agent framework

Kotlin Gets a New AI Agent Framework: Koog Ushers in a New Era for AI Development on JVM

If you’ve been following the AI space lately, you know it’s evolving at breakneck speed — and so is Kotlin. As one of the most beloved programming languages for JVM development, Kotlin has long been praised for its concise syntax, safety features, and modern tooling. But in 2025, it’s taking a bold leap forward by embracing AI agents with the introduction of Koog, an innovative open-source framework unveiled at KotlinConf 2025. This new framework empowers Kotlin developers to build intelligent, autonomous AI agents directly within the JVM ecosystem, marking a major milestone for Kotlin as a first-class language for AI-powered applications.

Why Koog Matters: From Chatbots to Autonomous AI Agents

Let’s face it: AI assistants have come a long way from simple chatbots that answer FAQs. Today’s large language models (LLMs) and AI systems don't just chat — they act. They plan, make decisions, handle complex workflows, and adapt based on feedback. This shift toward agentic AI means we need frameworks that let developers build AI agents capable of autonomous, context-aware behavior.

Enter Koog. Developed by JetBrains, the creators of Kotlin, Koog is designed from the ground up to meet the challenges of building these sophisticated AI agents. It provides an intuitive Kotlin DSL (domain-specific language) that lets you compose intelligent agents with ease, supporting everything from fast onboarding to managing long context windows and streaming responses.

No more wrestling with multiple languages or cobbled-together libraries — Koog brings AI agent development fully into Kotlin’s elegant and powerful world. And the fact that it runs natively on JVM means seamless integration with existing enterprise systems and on-premises deployments, a huge plus for businesses wary of sending sensitive data to the cloud.

The Evolution of Kotlin: More Than Just a Language

Kotlin’s evolution in 2025 isn’t just about AI agents. The language itself is growing stronger and more versatile. Kotlin 2.2 is on the horizon, introducing features like guard conditions in when expressions, multi-dollar string interpolation, and context parameters in beta, all aimed at making code safer and more expressive.

At the same time, the K2 compiler has become the default in IntelliJ IDEA 2025.1, slashing compilation times by over 40% in major JetBrains projects. This boost in performance means Kotlin developers spend less time waiting and more time innovating — essential when building complex AI applications.

JetBrains is also pushing hard on Kotlin Multiplatform, enabling developers to share code across JVM, JavaScript, native, and mobile targets, which opens exciting possibilities for AI apps that run everywhere.

What Makes Koog Special?

Koog isn’t just another AI library — it’s a full-fledged agentic framework designed to solve real-world developer pain points. Here are some standout features:

• Predefined Workflows: Get started quickly with built-in strategies for common agent behaviors.
• Composable DSL: Build complex agents by composing smaller components in idiomatic Kotlin.
• MCP Protocol Support: Seamlessly communicate with other systems and protocols.
• Response Streaming: Handle large outputs efficiently, delivering results incrementally.
• Long Context Management: Keep track of extensive conversation or event histories without losing coherence.
• Local Execution: Run AI agents on-premise, maintaining data privacy and control.

This level of sophistication means Koog can be used for a variety of AI-powered applications — from intelligent customer support bots that understand nuanced queries, to autonomous scheduling assistants, to complex decision-making systems in enterprise environments.

Real-World Impact and Industry Reception

The launch of Koog has sparked excitement among Kotlin developers and AI practitioners alike. With over 2.5 million Kotlin developers worldwide, the framework has the potential to accelerate AI adoption in sectors like finance, healthcare, and logistics, where Kotlin is already popular.

JetBrains CEO Maxim Shafirov commented at KotlinConf 2025, "Koog represents our commitment to making Kotlin the go-to language for AI development on the JVM. We’ve seen firsthand how agentic AI can transform workflows, and now Kotlin developers have the tools to build next-generation intelligent systems with confidence."

Industry leaders are taking note. Companies with large Kotlin codebases, such as Corda (R3), Revolut, and Gradle, are exploring Koog to embed AI capabilities directly into their products. The framework's open-source license encourages community contributions, promising rapid evolution and adaptation to developer needs.

How Koog Fits Into the Broader AI Landscape

While frameworks for AI agents exist in languages like Python and JavaScript, Kotlin’s entry is significant due to its unique blend of modern language features and JVM compatibility. This combination gives Kotlin developers:

• Access to the rich Java ecosystem and enterprise tools.
• A safer, more concise syntax to reduce bugs.
• Performance advantages with JVM optimizations.
• Multiplatform support for diverse deployment targets.

Moreover, Koog’s emphasis on local execution aligns with growing concerns about data privacy and AI’s carbon footprint. Running AI agents on-premises or at the edge reduces latency and keeps sensitive information secure, an increasingly critical factor for regulated industries.

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI Development with Kotlin

Koog is just the beginning. JetBrains has ambitious plans to expand the framework’s capabilities, including:

• Enhanced integrations with popular LLM providers and open models.
• Tools for explainability and debugging of AI agents.
• Support for more complex multi-agent systems.
• Improved developer tooling and IDE support within IntelliJ IDEA.

As AI continues to permeate every aspect of software, Kotlin’s leadership in combining modern programming with AI agent frameworks could reshape how developers build intelligent applications. The synergy between Kotlin’s expressive power and AI’s autonomous capabilities promises a future where software doesn’t just respond but proactively solves problems.

A Quick Comparison: Koog vs. Other AI Agent Frameworks

This table shows how Koog stands out for JVM-centric teams who want local execution, Kotlin’s syntax benefits, and multiplatform capabilities.

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