In this episode, Nathan chats with Guillermo Rauch, CEO of Vercel, to discuss how AI might shape the future of code, software 2.0, and the open source question in AI. If you need an ecommerce platform, check out our sponsor Shopify: https://shopify.com/cognitive for a $1/month trial period.

SPONSORS:

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@labenz (Nathan)

@rauchg (Guillermo)

@CogRev_Podcast

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00:00) - Introductory comments

(00:03:43) - Rauch's background in open source software like Mootools and Next.js

(00:04:27) - Overview of Vercel and the front-end cloud concept

(00:06:15) - Productivity gains from Vercel's front-end infrastructure

(00:14:50) - Sponsors: Shopify | Omneky

(00:21:00) - Rauch getting inspired by GitHub Copilot code auto-completion

(00:24:00) - Launching Vercel's own AI product vZero: production-ready UI code from natural language prompts

(00:29:17) - Sponsors: Oracle | Netsuite

(00:30:00) - Transition to discussing the future of software development

(00:34:12) - vZero surpassing Rauch's own hand-coded website on accessibility

(00:51:00) - Discussion about focusing on the full stack beyond just the AI model

(00:54:00) - Concept of Software 2.0 using data and AI instead of classical code

(00:56:00) - Maintaining software 1.0 while aggressively expanding into 2.0 paradigm

(00:56:12) - Philosophical support for open source and skepticism about risks

(00:57:12) - How open source software tends to quickly improve over time

(00:57:47) - Prediction that AI may "ossify" existing software 1.0 technologies

(01:01:12) - AI enabling more grassroots innovation like Mark Zuckerberg originally did

(01:07:00) - Concerns about regulatory suppression of open source AI progress

(01:03:00) - Unpredictability of new risks that could emerge like impersonation

(01:11:00) - Rejecting AI doom narratives but staying vigilant on capabilities

(01:12:00) - Concluding thoughts on embracing AI progress with appropriate caution

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.