Varun Mohan, CEO of Codeium, discusses the challenges of building generative AI applications and the development of Codeium, a product designed for software developers. They also talk about the importance of focusing on coding in software development and future-proofing work in the AI space.
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Quick takeaways
Codeium is a free, scalable, and compatible generative AI application designed to optimize deep learning workflows and provide comprehensive autocomplete suggestions for code.
Codeium's strategic approach of leveraging their existing technology and infrastructure to build their own generative AI application allows them to cater to the rapidly evolving ML landscape and simplify the process of scaling and running generative AI workloads.
Codeium's success stems from their unique training that enables their models to generate comprehensive and useful autocomplete suggestions, their efficient management of GPU resources for scaling, and their self-hosting approach that appeals to large enterprise customers.
Deep dives
Pivoting from Virtualized GPUs to Code Pilot
The podcast episode features an interview with Varun, the CEO and co-founder of X-sub-function, discussing the company's successful pivot from virtualized GPUs to their product Codeium. Varun highlights that Codeium has over 400,000 users and focuses on optimizing deep learning workflows and enabling model training and inference without relying on GPT-3 or similar models. Codeium is specifically designed to be free, scalable, and compatible with clients' infrastructure, requiring only one GPU. Varun also shares the challenges they faced when contemplating the pivot, such as evaluating the pain points and scalability potential of their previous GPU virtualization technology.
The Importance of Building Generative AI Applications
Varun explains that X-sub-function recognized the growing significance of generative AI, particularly in the context of transformers. They believed that this technology would revolutionize various industries and enable non-specialized ML engineers to leverage large language models. With this in mind, they made the strategic decision to leverage their existing technology and infrastructure to build their own generative AI application, Codeium. By doing so, they aimed to offer a differentiated solution that would cater to the rapidly evolving ML landscape and provide value to customers by simplifying the process of scaling and running generative AI workloads.
Evaluation and Optimization in Code Generation
The interview delves into the challenges faced while building and optimizing Codeium to generate accurate and efficient code completions. X-sub-function developed large-scale evaluation systems to assess the model's ability to apply context, completeness, and functionality in the generated code. The company built sophisticated internal systems that simulated unit tests, evaluated code context, and monitored inferences to fine-tune and improve the models over time. They prioritize metrics such as code acceptance, usage time, and user satisfaction to ensure the product's value and effectiveness throughout the entire software development lifecycle.
Training custom models for autocomplete
Codeium built their product around the need for accurate and extensive autocomplete suggestions for code. Unlike existing generative models that only add onto existing text, Codeium's models were specifically trained to generate code that fills in context from different files and accurately integrates with the user's cursor position. This unique training enabled Codeium to provide autocomplete suggestions that were more comprehensive and useful than other products on the market, generating edits even within a line of code. Codeium's success is evident from their rapidly growing user base and positive reviews.
Efficient scaling and self-hosting for enterprise customers
Codeium's scaling strategy involved efficiently managing GPU resources to support their growing user base. By reserving GPUs and planning ahead, they were able to easily scale their workloads. Interestingly, Codeium takes a different approach compared to other companies by enabling large enterprise customers to self-host the Codeium product. This approach appeals to companies that want to keep their code private and within their own infrastructure. Codeium's infrastructure also allows for continuous fine-tuning on the same hardware, providing personalized and optimized experiences for enterprise customers. By focusing on their specific coding problem and avoiding reliance on external solutions, Codeium ensures better control and future-proofing of their product.
MLOps podcast #195 with Varun Mohan, CEO of Codeium, Building the Future of AI in Software Development brought to us by QuantumBlack.
// Abstract
This brief overview traces the evolution of Exafunction and Codeium, highlighting the strategic transition. It explores the inception of Codeium's key features, offering insights into the thoughtful design process. This emphasizes the company's forward-looking approach to preparing for a rapidly advancing technological landscape. Additionally, it touches upon developing essential MLOps systems, showcasing the commitment to maintaining rigor and efficiency in the face of evolving challenges.
// Bio
Varun Mohan developed a knack for programming in high school where he actively participated in various competitions. This passion for programming was shared with his now co-founder, with whom he frequently competed. Their common interest in programming and competition led them to attend MIT together, where they undertook more programming challenges. After college, they ventured into the Bay Area where they continued to compete and further cultivate their programming abilities.
// MLOps Jobs board
https://mlops.pallet.xyz/jobs
// MLOps Swag/Merch
https://mlops-community.myshopify.com/
// Related Links
Websites: codeium.com, https://exafunction.com/
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Connect with Varun on Twitter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varunkmohan/
Timestamps:
[00:00] Varun's preferred coffee
[00:15] Takeaways
[02:50] Please like, share, and subscribe to our MLOps channels!
[03:05] QuantumBlack ad by Nayur Khan
[05:51] Varun's background in tech
[10:55] Language Models Advancement
[14:17] GPU scarce world
[18:23] Vision and Pain Points
[19:18] Fine-tuning Challenges in NLP
[21:04] ML and AI Caution
[21:49] MLOps: App vs Infra
[23:53] Data Engineering Abstraction Evolution
[26:12] Codeium and Scaling Discussion
[31:59] API, Cloud, Computation
[34:20] Codeium scaling
[35:11] Reserved GPUs, companies self-hosting products
[38:00] Open-source code Codeium training
[40:03] Protecting IP Licenses
[41:32] ML Challenges: Data, Bias, Security
[44:37] Evaluating code
[48:29] Getting values from Codeium
[49:49] Exafunction ML AI Production
[52:17] AWS Creation
[53:58] Feature flags and MA AI lifecycle
[56:34] Coding problem
[58:40] New software architectures
[1:03:28] Wrap up
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