Tom Occhino, a key figure in React's creation at Facebook, shares the fascinating origin story of React, born from an ads engineer's groundbreaking ideas. Shruti Kapoor dives into React 19, highlighting new features like Server Components and compiler enhancements. The conversation also touches on the evolution of web development practices, the influence of AI on coding efficiency, and the critical need for accessibility in tech. Together, they explore how community and mentorship shape the future of development.

Tom Occhino, a pivotal figure in React's development at Facebook and now CPO at Vercel, shares the fascinating origin story of React, sparked by innovative UI rendering approaches. Shruti Kapoor, a front-end engineer at Slack, unpacks the exciting new features of React 19, including the React Server Components and enhanced APIs that simplify development. They further discuss the evolution of web application architecture and the growing impact of AI tools on coding efficiency, emphasizing community building and accessibility in tech.

Shruti Kapoor, Lead Member of Technical Staff at Slack, shares her journey into frontend engineering, highlighting her work on features like Huddles and the Slack redesign. She emphasizes the vital role of accessibility in tech, discussing tools and strategies used at Slack to ensure inclusive design. Shruti also dives into the importance of collaboration between designers and developers in creating accessible components. Additionally, she touches on the impact of new technologies, such as the React compiler, in optimizing performance and enhancing the user experience.