Code Context is King: Augment’s AI Assistant for Professional Software Engineers, with Guy Gur-Ari

In this episode of the Cognitive Revolution, Guy Gur-Ari, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at Augment, explores the transformative impact of AI on the software industry. Highlighting Augment's unique approach, Gur-Ari discusses the challenges and solutions associated with integrating AI into large codebases, the nuances of maintaining context in AI-driven coding tools, and the evolving economics of AI-driven businesses. He shares insights on the company's focus on reinforcement learning from developer behaviors, future trends in software development, and offers advice for junior developers entering an AI-enhanced industry. The conversation also touches upon the vital role of user data, the complexities of vector databases, and the potential of agentic flows to revolutionize coding processes.

SPONSORS:

Box AI: Box AI revolutionizes content management by unlocking the potential of unstructured data. Automate document processing, extract insights, and build custom AI agents using cutting-edge models like OpenAI's GPT-4.5, Google's Gemini 2.0, and Anthropic's Cloud 3.7 Sonnet. Trusted by over 115,000 enterprises, Box AI ensures top-tier security and compliance. Visit https://box.com/ai to transform your business with intelligent content management today

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive

Shopify: Shopify is revolutionizing online selling with its market-leading checkout system and robust API ecosystem. Its exclusive library of cutting-edge AI apps empowers e-commerce businesses to thrive in a competitive market. Cognitive Revolution listeners can try Shopify for just $1 per month at https://shopify.com/cognitive

NetSuite: Over 41,000 businesses trust NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud ERP, to future-proof their operations. With a unified platform for accounting, financial management, inventory, and HR, NetSuite provides real-time insights and forecasting to help you make quick, informed decisions. Whether you're earning millions or hundreds of millions, NetSuite empowers you to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Download the free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning at https://netsuite.com/cognitive

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CHAPTERS:

(00:00) About the Episode

(04:38) Introduction and Welcome

(04:46) The Software Supernova Series

(05:23) Augment's Unique Approach to AI in Software Development

(06:16) Challenges in Large Code Bases

(07:32) Understanding Augment's Customer Base

(09:19) Context Management in AI

(11:46) Technical Insights and Blog Highlights

(13:16) Context Management and Code Indexing

(19:35) Sponsors: Box AI | Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)

(22:40) Developer Workflows and AI Integration

(29:04) Vector Databases and Retrieval Systems (Part 1)

(33:25) Sponsors: Shopify | NetSuite

(36:13) Vector Databases and Retrieval Systems (Part 2)

(37:29) Best Practices for Building RAG Applications

(50:36) Establishing a Solid Process for Model Evaluation

(51:01) Optimizing Experimental Iteration Time

(53:10) Exploring Reinforcement Learning from Developer Behaviors

(54:14) Challenges and Benefits of User Data in AI

(01:05:34) The Economics of Running an AI Company

(01:14:16) Future of Software Development and AI Integration

(01:18:51) Advice for Junior Developers in the AI Era

(01:23:58) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

(01:24:50) Outro

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