As software development practices have advanced over time, so too have the methodologies for managing code and changes. The autonomous pipeline, as it relates to continuous integration or continuous delivery (CI/CD) technology, embodies the next step in sophistication, where the pipeline can function almost entirely independently with no or very little human interaction. 

In an autonomous pipeline, the entire code integration and delivery process is managed automatically, producing fewer opportunities for human mistakes and allowing for faster release cycles. As organizations continue to seek more reliable and efficient software delivery practices, the desire for autonomous capabilities has become a trend to further reduce the need for human involvement in the CI/CD workflow process. This represents a fundamental shift in CI/CD practices that allows for self-governed decision-making and execution to be performed entirely independently of human input.