GitLab 17.8 and how AI is reshaping the software development lifecycle

Hey, GitLab community! February’s Monday Merge is here with product updates, expert insights, and event news to keep you in the loop. Let’s dive in...

?? GitLab 17.8 release highlights

GitLab 17.8 is live, bringing more than 60 updates designed to improve your DevSecOps workflows and enhance your software development experience. Here are some of the standout features:

• Protected container repositories: This new feature addresses a growing need for enhanced security and compliance in managing container images. With granular controls for push, pull, and management operations, organizations can safeguard sensitive assets without slowing development speed. This feature integrates seamlessly with GitLab CI/CD pipelines to ensure secure and efficient workflows.
• Machine learning model experiment tracking: Data scientists can now log parameters, metrics, and artifacts directly within GitLab. This feature simplifies tracking and replicating experiments, ensuring all data stays centralized and secure while fostering collaboration across teams.
• Hosted Linux Runners for GitLab Dedicated: Managing CI/CD runners just got easier with fully managed hosted Linux runners. These scale automatically to meet your team’s demands, eliminating the need for maintaining your own infrastructure. This feature is currently in limited availability.

These updates, alongside contributions from 121 community members, highlight our commitment to innovation through collaboration. Want to explore all 60+ updates?

?? Check out the full release notes here.

?? GitLab Duo, Agentic AI, and the SDLC in 2025

Our very own Emilio Salvador, VP of DevRel & Strategy, joined Rachel Stephens for a RedMonk Conversations interview to unpack how AI is reshaping the software development lifecycle. Here are some key takeaways from their discussion:

• Beyond Code Assistants: Emilio dives into the concept of agentic AI, explaining how it’s more than just code completion. These AI agents proactively collaborate across tasks, acting as peers in the development process. This shift promises to save time on repetitive work and enable developers to focus on solving complex problems.
• The role of AI across the SDLC: AI’s true potential lies beyond code. From root cause analysis to security and compliance, Emilio explains how GitLab’s AI-driven tools are transforming how developers approach the entire software development lifecycle.
• Looking ahead to 2025: Emilio shares insights on the trends shaping 2025 and GitLab’s vision for Duo Enterprise and our partnership with AWS. These innovations aim to make AI accessible, secure, and impactful across industries.

?? Missed the interview??Watch the full conversation here.

?? Customer spotlight: bol

bol , the largest online retailer in the Netherlands and Belgium, showcases the power of GitLab Ultimate. Since adopting GitLab Ultimate in 2024, bol has transformed its development processes, enabling the company to meet growing compliance challenges. Here’s how:

• Streamlined compliance: Bol’s teams automated compliance checks, saving thousands of monthly developer hours. This ensures consistency, reduces manual work, and minimizes the risk of human error.
• Enhanced security: With compliance guardrails in place, bol’s developers can focus on innovation without compromising security. This shift-left approach allows vulnerabilities to be addressed earlier in the development process, safeguarding both customer data and the company’s reputation.
• Adapting to regulations: Bol seamlessly navigates complex regulations such as GDPR, ISO standards, and the EU AI Act. Their ability to stay agile in a rapidly changing regulatory landscape highlights the flexibility and power of GitLab Ultimate.

Bol’s engineering manager, Guus Houtzager, sums it up: “GitLab is helping us stay flexible and competitive as we grow and as the requirements that our software and developers need to comply with grow.”

?? Read the full story?here.

?? What we’re reading

Stay ahead of industry trends and deepen your expertise with these insightful articles, covering the latest in AI, security, and software development

1. Why legacy code is a security risk—and how AI can help: Joel Krooswyk shares how AI refactoring tools can modernize your codebase while improving security.
2. Five trends shaping software development in 2025: Discover how AI and platform engineering drive change in this article from Brian Wald on DevOps.com .
3. New AI challenges for CISOs in 2025: Explore the risks and opportunities AI presents for security professionals from our CISO Josh Lemos on Dark Reading .
4. Engineering leadership considerations for AI: Insights from GitLab CTO Sabrina Farmer on upskilling teams and managing AI risks.

?? Upcoming Events

Here’s where you can connect with us this February and dive into the latest in DevSecOps:

• February 5: Webcast – Unlocking DevOps Success: GitLab DORA Metrics and AI in Action
• February 9-12: LEAP 2025 in Riyadh with Google Cloud. Visit us at booth H1.H30.
• February 13: Webinar – GitLab'sApplication Security and Compliance Roadmap
• February 25: Webinar – Delivering Amazing Digital Experiences with GitLab CI

As we’re well underway with the new year and continue to embrace learning and innovation, I'm reminded of this inspiring quote from computer scientist Frances Allen:

“Learn from everything you do. Keep adding tools to your toolkit."

Until next time, happy merging! ??

Fatima Sarah Khalid | Developer Advocate, GitLab

P.S. To stay up to date with all the latest happenings and developments in the world of DevSecOps, don’t forget to hit subscribe.