In this discussion, Steve Sanderson, a Microsoft .NET developer known for his work on KnockoutJS and Blazor, shares insights on how AI can enhance application development. He introduces the Microsoft.Extensions.AI toolset, making AI features easier to implement. The conversation dives into innovative uses for AI, including dynamic UI changes and intelligent form suggestions, emphasizing collaboration for a consistent developer experience. They also highlight the integration of local coding models in Visual Studio, revealing exciting advancements in software development.
Steve Sanderson highlights the Microsoft.Extensions.AI preview toolset as a powerful resource for integrating AI into .NET applications.
The podcast emphasizes the potential of AI technologies to enhance user experience through ambient features like dynamic UI adjustments.
Future developments aim to introduce standard abstractions for AI in .NET, facilitating easier integration for developers of all levels.
Deep dives
Introduction of New Blazor Series
A new series focusing on Blazor has been introduced, emphasizing updates in .NET 9. Unlike previous iterations of the Blazor puzzle where participants submitted solutions for a chance to win prizes, the format has changed to foster more engagement. The current approach allows for solving issues directly after presenting them, enhancing the interactive experience. This shift aims to promote greater community involvement and a more enjoyable learning atmosphere.
Significant Historical Events of 1936
The discussion highlights pivotal historical occurrences from 1936, marking its significance as the episode number. Key events include the rise of Nazi Germany and the performance of African-American singer Marian Anderson at the White House, symbolizing a crucial moment in civil rights history. Other notable mentions are the first delivery of the B-17 bomber and Alan Turing's submission of a groundbreaking paper on computability. These events frame the context of the conversation, showcasing how history intertwines with tech advancements.
AI Integration in .NET Development
Steve Sanderson emphasizes the importance of incorporating AI into .NET applications to enhance productivity for developers. By exploring AI tools that assist with coding and workflow management, development processes can become significantly more efficient. He provides insights into his past work involving AI chat applications, which integrate customer support functionalities and streamline user inquiries. The focus is on using AI not just as a coding assistant but as a backend support system to help software engineers improve application features.
Advancements in AI User Interfaces
The conversation touches on the evolution of user interfaces in response to AI advancements. Chat-based interfaces are identified as a prominent method for interaction, although there is a strong advocacy for seamless AI integration behind the scenes. This includes functions like automatic text classification and anomaly detection without requiring direct user input. By enabling AI to predict user needs, applications can provide enhanced functionality and user experience, merging natural workflows with technological support.
Future Developments in .NET AI Features
Looking ahead, Sanderson discusses the introduction of standard abstractions for AI features in .NET to streamline development. The design aims to provide a unified programming model that supports diverse AI backends. This initiative is geared towards ensuring easier integration of AI capabilities into applications, making it accessible for developers regardless of their expertise. By fostering a growing ecosystem around these tools, the team encourages innovation and enhanced productivity within the development community.
Can tooling make implementing AI features in your applications easier? Steve Sanderson says yes! Carl and Richard talk to Steve about the Microsoft.Extensions.AI preview toolset for OpenAI and oLlama. Steve discusses ideas around useful places for AI technologies to appear in your application, not just chat. The conversation digs into more ambient ideas, like providing suggested cut-and-paste items when entering forms and even dynamic changes to UI based on how a user interacts with the application. Want to get started? Get the extensions on NuGet!
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