When will AI replace developers? Or is it an if? In this TechFirst we dive into a survey focused on how 4,000 software developers use AI to generate, test, and check code. Justice Erolin, the CTO of BairesDev, recently surveyed over 4,000 developers globally. The goal: exploreing how AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot are being utilized in software development. He and host John Koetsier chat about how these tools are employed for code generation, scaffolding, and testing, and debates the potential over-reliance on AI and its impact on entry-level engineers. They also highlight key findings from the survey, including surprising trends in AI tool preferences and the perceived productivity impacts. Gain deeper insights into the future of AI and its role in software development in this engaging discussion. 00:00 Introduction: Will AI Replace Developers? 00:47 AI in Code Generation: Benefits and Processes 02:16 Popular AI Tools Among Developers 08:17 Challenges and Cultural Shifts in AI Adoption 12:39 Future of AI in Development and Security 17:41 Impact of AI on Entry-Level Engineers 21:08 Conclusion: Surprising Survey Results

Where does Boston Dynamics fit in the emerging golden age of robots? In a lot of ways we're entering a golden age of robots. We're seeing prototype humanoid robots from Apptronik, Amazon, Sanctuary AI, Figure.ai, Tesla, Fourier Intelligence, and probably more. And of course Boston Dynamics is the OG of humanoid bipedal robots with Atlas. But there are a lot of form factors out there. And none of them is perfect for everything. In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier dives into the current state and future of robotics with experts from Boston Dynamics. With insights from Alex Perkins, Mike Murphy, and Marco da Silva, the discussion explores whether we are on the cusp of a golden age in robotics. The conversation covers various form factors, including the bipedal Atlas, quadruped Spot, and the wheeled Stretch, highlighting their unique capabilities and applications. The episode also delves into the complexities of robotic design, from gripping mechanisms to AI in training and sensing, and speculates about the future of humanoid robots and their potential societal impacts. Tune in to get an in-depth look at the cutting-edge advancements and real-world deployments that are shaping the future of robotics. 00:00 Introduction to the Golden Age of Robotics 01:13 Meet the Experts at Boston Dynamics 01:45 Are We in the Golden Age of Robotics? 03:17 Exploring Robot Form Factors 04:47 The Evolution of Stretch 08:12 Quadrupeds vs. Bipeds 15:59 The Complexity of Robotic Gripping 21:19 Training and AI in Robotics 25:50 The Future of Humanoid Robots 27:46 Robotics in Addressing Global Challenges 30:54 What's Next for Boston Dynamics?

The world's tallest autonomous robot can scan a million square feet of warehouse and 100,000 pallets in a day. In this episode of TechFirst, we chat about AI and robotics with Andrei Danescu, the CEO of Dexory. Dexory's autonomous robot can scan a million of square feet daily, creating a digital twin of entire warehouses and significantly improving efficiency and accuracy. 00:00 AI and Robotics in Logistics 00:45 Warehouse Challenges 01:27 Dexory's Technology 02:26 World's Tallest Autonomous Robot 04:06 Technical Deep Dive: Robot Design and Functionality 07:04 Operational Efficiency and AI Integration 12:13 Subscription Model and ROI 23:21 Future of Autonomous Systems 24:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

What is it like to go to space? Today we have a special privilege: we’re talking to an astronaut who has spent 136 days in the International Space Station and completed 2 space walks. He’s also the mission director for the recent Intuitive Machines lunar lander, the first US mission to the moon in more than 50 years. His name is Jack Fischer In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier interviews astronaut Jack Fisher, who spent 136 days on the International Space Station (ISS). Fisher describes the awe-inspiring experience of space travel, emphasizing the different perspective gained from 250 miles up. He humorously recounts adapting to zero gravity and the physical relief it provided for his neck and back. The conversation covers Fisher's role as mission director for the Intuitive Machines lunar lander and space missions' significance. They delve into the technological and cooperative efforts required for future Mars missions, including efficient propulsion and collaboration across industries. Fisher keeps the discussion engaging with anecdotes and enthusiasm for space exploration, highlighting recent advancements and the potential for a lunar economy. 00:00 Liftoff: Journey to Space 01:22 Experiencing Zero Gravity 04:48 Adapting to Space Life 10:57 Mission to the Moon: Intuitive Machines 22:25 Future of Space Exploration 29:48 Making Humanity Multi-Planetary 36:31 Space Movies and Fun

Have we already achieved AGI? OpenAI just released GPT-4o. It’s impressive, and the implications are huge for so many different professions ... not least of which is education and tutoring. It’s also showing us the beginning of AI that is truly present in our lives ... AI that sees what we see, doesn’t exist just in a box with text input, hears what we hear, and hallucinates less. What does that — and other recent advancements in AI — mean for AGI? In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier discusses the implications of OpenAI's GPT-4 release and explores the current state and future of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with Roman Yampolskiy, a PhD research scientist and associate professor. They delve into the rapid advancements in AI, the concept of AGI, potential impacts on different professions, the cultural and existential risks, and the challenges of safety and alignment with AGI. The conversation also covers the societal changes needed to adapt to a future where mental and physical labor could be fully automated. 00:00 Exploring the Boundaries of AI's Capabilities 01:36 The Evolution and Impact of AI on Human Intelligence 03:39 The Rapid Advancements in AI and the Path to AGI 06:38 The Societal Implications of Advanced AI and AGI 09:27 Navigating the Future of Work and AI's Role 14:52 The Ethical Dilemmas of Developing Superintelligent AI 19:22 Looking Ahead: The Unpredictable Future of AI

If our planet turns to Dune, how will you survive? We're already experiencing water crises in thousands of global cities, places like Flint Michigan, or even native reserves in Canada. How can you ensure you'll get good, healthy, clean drinking water? In this episode of TechFirst, we explore the critical global challenge of securing clean water, a resource essential yet scarce for over 2 billion people worldwide. With a focus on innovative solutions, John Koetsier interviews Brian Sheng, CEO and co-founder of Aquaria, a company at the forefront of developing atmospheric water generators capable of extracting clean water from the air, ranging from 24 to 2,600 gallons daily. Sheng discusses the technology's workings, its potential to address water scarcity effectively, especially in areas with limited access to clean water, and the company's vision for scaling up to support communities and potentially entire cities with sustainable, clean water obtained directly from the atmosphere. 00:00 Atmospheric Water Generator 01:19 The Global Water Crisis: Challenges and Solutions 05:13 How Atmospheric Water Generators Work: Technology Explained 11:00 The Future of Water: Scaling Up and Making it Affordable 12:48 Comparing Water Solutions: Desalination and Atmospheric Water Generators 21:45 The Vision for a Sustainable Water Future

In this episode of TechFirst, host John Koetsier explores the future of robotics and agricultural technology (agtech) with Kevin Dowling, managing director at Robotics Factory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They discuss the evolution of robotics in farming, from traditional methods to the modern use of drones, autonomous tractors, and AI-driven systems. Kevin highlights the diversity of robotic forms in agriculture, including wheeled, legged, flying, and swimming robots, and the role of morphology in determining the best tool for various farming tasks. The conversation covers the current trends in robotic investments, the potential of humanoid robots in agriculture, and the economic challenges faced by hardware startups in AgTech. Kevin predicts a shift towards smaller, more affordable robots for smaller farms and emphasizes the importance of technology in reducing environmental impacts, enhancing food production efficiency, and potentially democratizing farming. The episode also touches upon innovative startups in Pittsburgh, the challenges of introducing robotics into unpredictable farm environments, and the vision for future farming landscapes transformed by robotics and autonomous machinery. 00:00 Exploring the Future of Robotics and Ag Tech 00:46 The Evolution and Future of Robotics in Agriculture 03:39 The Role of Humanoid Robots in Farming 07:38 Challenges and Opportunities in Ag Tech Startups 10:05 Innovative Startups Shaping the Future of Agriculture 12:49 The Complex Environment of Farm Robotics 15:30 The Potential of Indoor and Vertical Farming 23:30 Envisioning the Future of Farming with Robotics

In January of this year, Peregrine Mission One launched with at least 22 payloads. One was intended to be the first American made rover to land on the moon since the Apollo days: 1972. It was called Iris, and it was also the first lunar rover constructed with carbon fiber. It was designed and built by students at Carnegie Mellon University. Today, we’re going to chat with them ... Despite a mission failure due to the lander experiencing a propellant leak and missing its lunar target, the Iris team achieved significant milestones. They successfully demonstrated that student-made rovers could survive space conditions, including the Van Allen Belt's radiation, and maintain communication and functions in space. This project, despite its setbacks, marks a significant achievement in democratizing space exploration and contributes to the broader vision of establishing moon bases and Mars bases as stepping stones for further space exploration. 00:00 The Future of Space Exploration: Moon and Mars Bases 00:42 Introducing can the Iris Lunar Rover Project 05:17 The Team Behind Iris: Roles and Experiences 09:00 Scientific Goals and Achievements of the Iris Rover 12:58 Overcoming Failure: Lessons from a Mission Gone Wrong 22:03 The Next Steps: Future Missions and Career Paths 25:59 Reflecting on the Golden Age of Space Exploration

What happens after AGI? AGI is artificial general intelligence: it’s when AI achieves human-level intelligence nd likely quickly thereafter super-human abilities, maybe even ushering in the Singularity. I was recently at the Beneficial AGI conference in Panama. One of the speakers was the founder of Emerj Artificial Intelligence Research. He’s interviewed nearly 1,000 AI leaders, his name is Dan Faggella, and he has some good insight into what AGI might do. Or at least what the experts think about it … We discuss artificial general intelligence (AGI), the potential for post-human bliss through advanced simulations, and various perspectives on AGI's ethical and societal impacts. Fagella shares insights from interviews with nearly a thousand AI experts, outlining a matrix to categorize thoughts on AGI's future and human interaction. The discussion covers the balance between control, collaboration, and open-source development in AI, along with personal reflections on humanity's potential paths in an AI-dominated future. Themes include the ethical implications of AGI, the role of human values in AI development, and speculative futures where humanity merges with or is overshadowed by superior AI entities. 00:00 Exploring Post-Human Bliss and the Power of AI 01:31 The Matrix of AI Perspectives 02:50 Exploring the Future with AI: Preservation, Progression, and Ascension 04:26 Navigating the Path to AI: Control, Collaboration, Openness 07:11 Personal Stances and the Future of AI 19:00 AI's Impact on Society and the Future 24:23 Envisioning a Post-Human Future: Choices and Consequences 29:53 Reflections on Humanity's Path Forward with AI

Metalenz CEO Rob Devlin discusses the revolutionary meta surfaces product that can eliminate iPhone notches and bring secure Face ID to Android at a lower cost. The technology enables decoding surface information from reflected light, advancing biometrics, phones, medical devices, and robots. Partnership with ST Microelectronics integrates metasurface optics in over 150 smartphone models, enhancing optical systems efficiency and reducing size and cost.