New Hotness for September 27th
Welcome to this week's edition of the AI New Hotness Newsletter, where we talk about new and exciting stuff to happen in the world of Generative AI, particularly for software developers. It’s a fast moving, wacky world for sure.
The latest AI News for Programmers
OpenAI o1 Might be the Final Nail in Coding’s Coffin
Is AI going to replace coders? Probably. This article talks about the recent launch of AI models by OpenAI, which have successfully passed coding interviews for human engineers, sparking concerns about the future of human coders. The article also explores how major tech companies are adopting AI and the potential for it to create new job opportunities.
The best AI for coding, and a bunch that failed miserably
I’ve been subjecting AI chatbots to a set of real-world programming tests. Which chatbots handled the challenge and which crawled home in shame? Read on.
Hacking Kia: Remotely Controlling Cars With Just a License Plate
In June of this year some researchers discovered a way to mess with Kia’s system through their website. This would allow them to remotely unlock doors, start the engine, and even get some of your personal info like your address and phone number. All they needed was the license plate!
AI coding assistant Supermaven raises cash from OpenAI and Perplexity co-founders
Supermaven is a new AI coding assistant that’s making waves in the tech world. Created by the co-founder of Tabnine (another successful AI coding tool), Supermaven uses advanced AI to help developers write code faster and more accurately. It’s already gaining popularity among developers and has recently secured $12 million in funding from top investors. While there are some concerns about data privacy and copyright issues, Supermaven is quickly becoming a go-to tool for programmers looking to boost their productivity.
Top AI Programming Languages to Learn Today
the world of AI is vast and diverse, and choosing the right programming language is crucial for success. From the beginner-friendly Python to the specialized Prolog, there’s a language for every AI project. Whether you’re building a machine learning model, a web-based AI tool, or a complex system for decision-making, understanding the strengths and applications of these languages will help you make the best choice for your AI journey.
Hut 8 launches GPU-as-a-service program for AI developers
Hut 8, a company originally known for Bitcoin mining, is now offering a new service: GPU-as-a-service for AI developers. This means that developers can rent powerful GPUs, which are essential for training AI models, from Hut 8. This is a strategic move for Hut 8, as the Bitcoin mining market has become increasingly competitive. By offering GPU-as-a-service, Hut 8 is diversifying its business and generating new revenue streams.
Generative AI in the Real World: The Future of Programming with Matt Welsh
This is a podcast episode about how Generative AI (AI that can create new things) is changing the way we program computers. In the interview, Matt Welsh, an expert in AI, talks about how AI will allow us to tell computers what we want them to do in plain English (or another human language) instead of writing complex code. This will open up new possibilities for people who don’t know how to code, and even for programmers, by making it faster and easier to create new applications.
New Tools You Should Check Out
Here are some awesome new tools people are chatting about in the AI space.
Grit
One of the new tools I’ve seen some chatter about is Grit. I haven’t used it myself, but I’m seeing folks talk about how it works great for proof of concept (PoC) stuff. Apparently it’s a great tool for creating basic skeletons of a product really fast. It’s definitely worth checking out. I’ll be evaluating it soon and provide my opinions. Meanwhile you should check it out too.
Cursor
This is the tool everyone seems to be talking about. It’s supposed to rival GitHub Copilot and similar products. After hearing it mentioned in conversation a few times, I’ve signed up for it, and downloaded it and will give a full review soon.
There’s a mix of opinions on Cursor’s impact on productivity. Some users find it initially frustrating due to its learning curve but eventually see it as a very beneficial tool once they understand how to work with it effectively. There’s a sentiment that while Cursor has been hyped up, especially with features like the “Composer,” some users feel the reality might not live up to the hype for complex coding tasks. However, for simpler or greenfield projects, Cursor gets praised for its efficiency and ease of use.
This is definitely one we’ll have to keep an eye on.
Blackbox AI
Last but certainly not least is Blackbox AI . I’ve talked about them before in my newsletter and written about this tool in my Book about coding with Generative AI . I’m no stranger to their tool, and this team is SCRAPPY. They’re a small company but they’re constantly releasing new features, and really pushing their product to be the best. You can’t ignore them. They’re some of the most passionate people I know in this space right now.
Some of their features:
Ask Blackbox AI Anything - Basically a Google for software problems. Free, no signup required. TRY IT NOW
Image Generator - Generate Images. Cool stuff.
Image to App - upload a screenshot of an app, and they’ll build it for you.
Robocoder - Build a full app - A robot that builds a whole app for you.
Full disclosure I’m not being compensated by Blackbox AI in any way, or sponsored. I will say, I had a small software project I put together last week. I decided to see if Blackbox could build it for me and save some time. I had it scaffold out the app, and worked with it and built it to completion. Rough estimate: Blackbox saved me around two hours of time building this small application. Totally worth it. Check it out.
Thanks for reading!!
I decided to do this newsletter to share all the cool stuff I’m finding in AI over time. Keep updated on the latest stuff with this newsletter. Thanks for reading!!
BTW Check out my YouTube Channel for more cool stuff with Generative AI. Tips, tutorials, reviews of AI tools and more.