Asynchronous & Unreliable - Tech Chat For Practitioners Who Want to Understand The New Ideas

How Do We Make AI-Generated Code Good?Anne and Yanqing Cheng, founder of AI startup Tollens.ai, explore the future of software quality, AI management, and organizational trust. Discover how holistic engineering management, trust, and organizational dynamics influence AI and software quality.Key TopicsThe evolving definition of quality in AI-generated softwareTollens.ai's approach as an engineering management consultantThe importance of holistic management and decision-makingHow AI tools can aid managers and engineers in complex decisionsChallenges of trust, psychological safety, and organizational dynamics in AI deploymentThe impact of AI on software productivity and the future of codingManaging bottlenecks in AI-powered engineering workflowsStrategies for capturing and leveraging organizational knowledgeThe gradual transition to AI-native companies and the pace of changePractical tips for integrating AI into daily workflows to reduce frictiontranscriptBlue TuxedoMusic licensed through Soundstripe.Code: 3XRM21XFMMGPO1PF

ShownotesTitle: Navigating AI's Impact on Software Development and TrustO'Reilly author Anne Currie and Mission Critical software expert Jon Berger discuss the question of the moment: how can we entrust AI with the software that underpins everything?Join Anne and Jon as they explore real experiments, strategic implications, and practical steps for leaders in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.Main Topics:The future of AI in software engineering: rapid development and risk managementLeadership strategies for integrating AI with team dynamics and trustFundamental principles in software and life that AI may reshapePractical ways to start using AI safely in development cyclesThe importance of diversified oversight and multiple 'oracles' in AI deploymentIn this episode:How AI is changing the long-term landscape of human versus machine-built softwareWhy understanding your unique business context matters in adopting AI toolsThe significance of experimenting with low-risk AI integrations like code review and testingThe evolving concept of trust in AI-generated code and processesStrategic leadership tips: balancing risks, risks awareness, and fostering innovationTimestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and episode overview on AI's influence on software creation01:22 - Transition from human-only to AI-assisted software engineering02:48 - The importance of understanding your context as a leader03:46 - Considerations for teams experimenting with AI in development04:19 - Risks and opportunities in AI-driven software processes05:50 - How speed and scale shape business decisions in AI-enabled environments07:12 - The role of leadership in managing AI adoption and team dynamics08:37 - Critical thinking about AI's impact on team sizes and productivity10:30 - Market-driven decisions: layoffs and strategic AI integration12:15 - Choosing trustworthy sources and multiple perspectives ("oracles")13:55 - Balancing risk-taking and risk mitigation among teams15:22 - Protect the future versus change the future in tech strategies16:02 - Assessing environment and risk: high-stakes vs low-stakes AI applications17:11 - Supporting existing systems with AI: deployment, testing, and feedback loops19:22 - Trust, testing, and automation in the software lifecycle21:23 - The changing nature of AI models and managing their variability22:26 - The importance of agility and adaptability in a fast-changing AI landscape23:05 - Valuing diverse team roles, including skeptics and early adopters27:28 - Embracing AI as a black box: focusing on outcomes rather than process transparency30:56 - Revisiting core principles of system resilience in an AI world31:52 - How AI shifts decision-making trade-offs and process scaling32:24 - Moving forward with trust: aligning business goals with AI capabilities33:22 - Starting small: low-risk AI applications in testing and review36:19 - Building confidence with modular, trustable AI-driven processes39:38 - Actionable strategies for leaders: experiment, assess, and iterate safelyNote: For further insights into managing AI in software development, stay tuned for upcoming episodes on security, testing, and team leadership adaptations.Full transcript

Building Green Software: Insights from the Authors or How To Write an O'Reilly BookThis episode features Anne Currie and Sara Bergman discussing the journey of writing Building Green Software, the lessons learned, and the ongoing impact of eco-conscious software development in industry and academia. They share behind-the-scenes insights, the importance of collaboration, and practical advice for authors.Key Topics:The origin story and motivation behind Building Green SoftwareThe collaborative process of co-authoring a technical bookNavigating publishing logistics, contracts, and setting deadlinesThe significance of translating technical work into global accessibilityManaging co-authorship across different languages and cultural backgroundsThe impact of industry events like QCon in shaping publication timelinesPost-publication reflections: successes, challenges, and future updatesThe role of projects like the Green Software Foundation in shaping the book’s contentLessons learned about contractual liability and company formation for authorsThe balance between technical rigor, storytelling, and engaging communication in technical writingShownotes and transcript#sustainability #greensoftware #writing #distributedsystems #technology #softwareengineering #oreilly #buildinggreensoftware #publishing

ShownotesWhat Is Platform Engineering and how will it work in an AI world? An In-Depth Conversation with Paula KennedyIn this episode, Anne Currie chats with old friend and colleague Paula Kennedy, COO of platform engineering startup Syntasso about the fundamentals of platform engineering, its evolution, and its impact on organizations of all sizes. They explore how platform engineering helps manage the growing cognitive load in modern software development and operational practices.This episode is a great companion to episode 3 - Niki Manoledaki's on platform engineering at Grafana LabsKey Topics Covered:The origins and definition of platform engineering, tracing back to the earliest days of software developmentHow platform engineering bridges the gap between code creation and deployment infrastructureThe role of platform teams as enablers and marketplace providers within organizationsOwnership, responsibility, and the importance of platform as a product mindsetThe impact of AI on platform engineering, automation, and operational efficiencyAvoiding bottlenecks: scaling platform capabilities to meet rising code generation and operational demandsPractical insights into managing complexity, security, and costs across organization-wide platformsTimestamps:(0:00) – Introduction to platform engineering and tools for easy editing of recordings(3:00) – Defining platform engineering as the space between code and infrastructure(6:00) – The evolution from traditional IT to DevOps and modern platform teams(9:00) – How cognitive load and responsibility are distributed across teams(12:00) – Historical perspective: from separate dev and ops teams to integrated platforms(15:00) – The role of ownership and product mindset in platform success(20:00) – The marketplace model for platform services, enabling internal contribution(23:00) – The importance of clear boundaries and ownership akin to cloud provider models(28:00) – The influence of AI and agents on future platform strategies(36:00) – Recognizing system bottlenecks and scaling horizontally as a key challenge(37:00) – The timeless nature of operational principles and organizational constraintsFor transcript

Jamie Dobson and Anne CurrieJoin us in this enlightening episode as Anne Currie chats with Jamie Dobson, co-founder of Container Solutions and author of Rebels, Visionaries, and Machines. They dive into the history of technology, the evolution of the tech industry, and the challenges and opportunities in communicating complex ideas in tech today. This conversation offers valuable insights for tech enthusiasts, educators, and communicators alike.Key Topics Covered:The history of cloud computing and its cultural impact since 1799How tech conferences like Software Circus aimed to reshape industry conversationsThe ethical and social implications of AI and automation in the workforceThe importance of understanding problem context before choosing toolsStrategies for explaining complex technical ideas without oversimplificationLessons from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein applied to tech ethics and responsibilityThe challenge of capturing audience attention in storytelling and educationHow to communicate the essence of microservices, patterns, and cloud-native concepts effectivelyReflecting on the role of stories and analogies in making tech more accessible#tech #AI #techconferences #cloudnative #techcommunications

Most companies are underestimating how quickly AI will transform software development. When AI can seemingly write mission-critical code, what does that mean for the future of engineering, quality, and human expertise? Anne Currie and Jon Berger discuss Martin Davidson’s groundbreaking insights in episode 7 on creating mission critical software using AIWill AI-driven software eliminate the need for traditional coding teams alogether? Is all the system software going to get re-written in Rust? What about maintenance and operations?Shownotes & transcript#tech #podcast #softwareengineering #AI #sustainability #green #software #distributedsystems #rustlang

Join host Anne Currie in this episode of "Asynchronous and Unreliable," where she talks with veteran technologist Martin Davidson about his journey from telecommunications to AI-driven software development. Discover how AI looks set to reshape the software industry, including by building high-quality, production-ready code and redefining testing, design, and organizational structures.- Martin Davidson’s career evolution from high-resilience telco software to AI and machine learning - The concept of oracle-driven development for AI-generated code quality - Practical experimentation with rewriting libraries and building emulators in Rust using AI- The extension of traditional unit testing to fuzz testing, differential testing, and other AI-powered validation - The importance of defining success criteria ("what good looks like") upfront in AI projects - Parallelization strategies in AI and software architectures: from agents to cores and teams - Organizational implications of AI-driven productivity increases and automation - Future outlook for legacy software companies amid AI disruptions - The cultural and economic impacts of AI on software engineering careers and industry stability#tech #podcast #softwareengineering #AI #sustainability #green #software #distributedsystemsshownotes and transcript: https://www.asynchronousunreliable.com/asynchronous-and-unreliable-e7

ShownotesDiscover how the rapid shift from fossil fuels to renewables, especially solar and wind, is shaping the tech industry and global economy. Hosted by Anne Currie and Sara Bergman, this episode explores the exponential growth of renewable energy, the role of software in optimizing energy use, and the geopolitical and environmental implications of this transition.Main insights:The exponential rise of solar energy generation and its implicationsThe importance of grid management and energy storage solutions in a renewable-powered worldHow different countries are adopting strategies like East-West data centers in China and time-of-use tariffs in India to optimize renewable energy consumptionThe role of software in enabling carbon-aware computing and energy efficiencyChallenges and opportunities of integrating variable renewable sources into the energy mixThe historical context of fossil fuels as first gear in industrial development and the move towards more complex, resilient energy systemsInnovations like balcony solar panels and plug-in solar devices, and their potential for widespread adoptionThe geopolitical considerations, including nuclear debates in Sweden and France's energy independenceHow increasing renewable infrastructure can accelerate economic development, especially in AfricaShownotes and transcript#tech #podcast #softwareengineering #AI #sustainability #green #software #distributedsystems

Anne & networking expert Jon Berger discuss the difficulties of understanding exponentials and how that leads to challenges  when it comes to setting targets for both resilience and efficiency.If you wonder why people have no real clue about the nines resilience scale, this is why.

Guest: Charles HumbleIn the fourth episode of Asynchronous and Unreliable, amongst many other subjects, Anne & writer, author, and editor Charles Humble discuss the past and future of tech communication.Discover how communication methods in tech have evolved over decades, from early magazines and conferences to the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and large language models. This episode explores the importance of clear, honest, and varied communication for tech progress and societal impact.In this episode:The historical shifts from magazine learning, to books, to conferences and open source, and finally even podcasts for tech educationThe role of conferences in motivating further reading and understanding complex topicsHow the reliability of spoken vs. written communication impacts knowledge sharingThe significance of context, audience, and repetition in effective communicationChallenges of AI-generated content: surface-level writing, fact-checking, and nuanceThe societal implications of transparency and responsible tech communicationStrategies for engaging non-technical audiences in tech debatesPersonal stories and lessons from industry veterans about editing, clarity, humility and not giving up (all early drafts are rubbish)#tech #AI #communcations #conferences #literacy #chatbots

In the third episode of Asynchronous and Unreliable, Anne Currie and Niki Manoledaki of Grafana Labs discuss the highest end of operational efficiency, GreenOps, and Finops using purely open source solutions including Kubernetes, Kepler and the Vertical Pod Autoscaler. What can you do with them and what is the vital technology you need in place before you attempt it? Real life stories!Shownotes and transcript#cloud #kubernetes #karpenter #kepler #VPA #CNCF #opensource #earthday #sustainability

The High Stakes of Code Efficiency in Networking and BeyondIn this episode of Asynchronous and Unreliable, host Anne Currie is joined by long-time tech veteran Jon Berger to explore the critical importance of code efficiency, especially in the networking software that underpins the internet’s performance and resilience. They delve into practical comparisons between operational and code efficiency, the impact of AI on high-performance software, and how scale influences software optimization strategies.Key Topics:The necessity of ultra-efficient code in networking software managing billions of packets per secondDifferences between operational efficiency, systems design, and code efficiencyThe exponential scale of code efficiency impacts versus the linear scale of operational efficiencyHow high-frequency trading and networking code both push the limits of performance, often in assembler and machine languageThe influence of AI and automation on future high-performance software developmentTrade-offs between hardware reliance for speed versus software optimizationThe impact of scale: Large companies like Google vs small startups in operational and code efficiencyChallenges of maintaining operational efficiency at scale in different sized businessesThe role of human expertise versus AI in optimizing software for resilience, energy, and securityThe importance of aligning software performance strategies with business goals like growth or cost reductionShownotes and transcript

When it comes to AI, it turns out being chatty and opinionated is a good thing - in a compiler

The tricky truth is most software is perhaps 100,000x less efficient than it could be because it is written by and maintained by humans. Are they about to be taken out of the mix?

Maybe life is too easy in the Cloud?

The Future of Software Efficiency, Distributed Systems, and Connections in Tech. In this first episode of the new Asynchronous and Unreliable podcast, Author Anne Currie is joined by Sara Bergman, Microsoft software engineer and co-author of O'Reilly's Building Green Software. They explore the nuances of code versus operational efficiency, the evolving landscape of hardware and software, and the importance of face-to-face interactions.Key Topics:The balance between code efficiency and operational efficiency in sustainable software developmentHow AI is increasingly capable of optimizing code performance, including rewriting for efficiencyThe shift from hardware solutions to smarter software and operational practices for sustainabilityThe strategic use of multi-tenancy and hardware flexibility to enhance efficiency and sustainabilityThe significance of face-to-face conferences, hallway track networking, and speaking opportunities for professional growthThe impact of transitioning from traditional hardware dependence to chip-agnostic, multi-platform codeThe industry's response to energy constraints, energy transition, and the potential environmental benefits of energy-aware designThe power of community, feedback, and continuous learning through conferences and meetupsThe evolving role and perception of tech investments in a changing economyThis episode emphasizes that success in tech sustainability involves not only technical innovation but also community engagement, face-to-face interactions, and continual learning. With tools advancing and energy concerns growing, the right operational practices and hardware flexibility are more vital than ever .Shownotes and transcriptAnne on LinkedIn

Asynchronous & Unreliable is a new podcast on the key concepts behind modern software engineering and AI and features cheerful and friendly conversations with some of the most interesting folks in computing.It's hosted by Anne Currie, co-author of O'Reilly's Building Green Software, The Cloud Native Attitude, and the science fiction Panopticon series.Expect regular guests and lighthearted discussion of some of the most fascinating & sometimes challenging ideas in tech.