Is AI a Tool or a Worker?

This week, we discuss Claude’s new Excel skills, whether AI is augmenting or automating humans, and the latest developer surveys. Plus, AI making the command line cool again!

Watch the YouTube Live Recording of Episode 544

Runner-up Titles

• Cote’ shock jock mode
• Art with squids
• Command-Line Life Style
• AI isn’t for experts.
• The triumph of the command line
• The command line lifestyle is now available
• I don’t even know what sed is
• The Human Line

Rundown

• Anthropic's Claude is learning Excel so you don't have to
• Amazon targets as many as 30,000 corporate job cuts: Reuters, citing sources
• The State of Developer Ecosystem in 2025
• “The Pragmatic Engineer 2025 Survey: What’s in your tech stack? Part 3.”

Relevant to your Interests

• ChatGPT's Atlas: The Browser That's Anti-Web - Anil Dash
• OpenAI acquires Software Applications Incorporated, maker of Sky
• PayPal shares surge 13% after OpenAI deal to become the first payments wallet in ChatGPT
• Internet Pioneer AOL to Be Acquired by Italian Tech Company Bending Spoons
• What is Configuration as Data?
• RDEL #115: What are the 2025 benchmarks for the DORA 4 metrics?
• a16z Is Funding a 'Speedrun' to AI-Generated Hell on Earth
• An ex-Intel CEO’s mission to build a Christian AI: ‘hasten the coming of Christ’s return’
• Removing Jeff Bezos From My Bed ◆ Truffle Security Co.
• Grammarly rebrands to 'Superhuman,' launches a new AI assistant
• Why the “Free” Chef Version Could Be Your Most Expensive Mistake
• The Wayback Machine’s snapshots of news homepages plummet after a “breakdown” in archiving projects

Nonsense

• How Hacked Card Shufflers Allegedly Enabled a Mob-Fueled Poker Scam That Rocked the NBA

Conferences

• Wiz Wizdom Conferences, NYC November 3-5, London November 17-19
• SREDay Amsterdam, November 7th, Coté speaking
• DevOpsDayLA at SCALE23x, March 6th, Pasadena, CA
  • Uxse code: DEVOP for 50% off. CFP open until Dec. 1st.

SDT News & Community

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• Book offer: Use code SDT for $20 off "Digital WTF" by Coté
• Sponsor the show: ads@softwaredefinedtalk.com

Recommendations

• Brandon: Who Is Michael Lombardi? Debunking the Myths of UNC's GM
• Matt: Shell Game podcast
• Coté: "What Grant Reviewers Actually Look For (and What They Ignore)."

Photo Credits

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