When ChatGPT first came out, one of the first things I did with it was ask it to write me code. This was two years ago and a lot has changed. First it was extensions in VS Code, then it was good extensions in VS Code, then it was GitHub’s Copilot, Cursor, and now Kiro. We are going to cover my impressions of these tools in this article but before we do, I’d like to suggest something for new and junior developers. These tools can accelerate what you do, but you understanding what they do, why it is good, why... read more

One of the biggest barriers to developing applications has always been coding. If you have a brilliant idea but lack programming skills, you’d typically need to hire a developer or learn to code yourself. Enter “vibe coding” platforms—AI-powered tools that promise to build applications through natural conversation. But do they live up to the hype?

I’ve spent months testing these platforms, investing real money to access full feature sets across multiple services. From invite-only beta platforms to established players, I tested Envato, Build.ai, Builder.ai, Replit, Lovable, Tempo, Emergent, and several others. Here’s what I discovered about the current state of... read more

A friend of mine Harry Hoffman recently shared an article by Sangeet Paul Choudary titled “The many fallacies of ‘AI won’t take your job, but someone using AI will’”. The article offers a thought-provoking analysis of how AI is transforming work. While the article covers multiple professions and systems, I’d like to focus on what this means specifically for software and web developers and how those professions are experiencing a transformation similar to what typists and other roles mentioned in the article faced.

I know that the mere writing of this article is going to strain some of my relationships.... read more

A friend of mine Harry Hoffman recently shared an article by Sangeet Paul Choudary titled “The many fallacies of ‘AI won’t take your job, but someone using AI will’”. The article offers a thought-provoking analysis of how AI is transforming work. While the article covers multiple professions and systems, I’d like to focus on what this means specifically for software and web developers and how those professions are experiencing a transformation similar to what typists and other roles mentioned in the article faced.

I know that the mere writing of this article is going to strain some of my relationships.... read more

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, AI agents represent one of the most significant advancements in how businesses operate and how professionals work. But what exactly are AI agents? Put simply, AI agents are software systems that can perceive their environment, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals—all with varying degrees of autonomy.

Unlike traditional software that follows rigid, pre-programmed instructions, AI agents can adapt their behavior based on new information, learn from interactions, and operate with a level of independence that was once the realm of science fiction. They represent the evolution from passive tools that wait... read more

The financial sector is undergoing a profound transformation, for patrons of banks this is the biggest shift since banking online. Driven by the rapid advancement and integration of artificial intelligence (AI), banking and finance is rapidly changing. From algorithmic trading to fraud detection and personalized banking, AI is reshaping the landscape of finance, offering unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, accuracy, and innovation. But like every post I have written, we also need to discuss the risks that come along with these changes.

Also please note, when I finished this post, I reread it and I apologize in advance for the cheeky... read more

Hugging Face has emerged as a pivotal platform in the AI ecosystem, offering invaluable resources for developers, researchers, and startups venturing into the world of artificial intelligence. Founded in 2016, this New York-based company has rapidly evolved into a hub for machine learning innovation, providing a comprehensive suite of tools and services that democratize AI development. The last time I felt like this was when a friend of mine showed me alt binaries newsgroups.

A Collaborative AI Ecosystem

At its core, Hugging Face is a platform where the machine learning community collaborates on models, datasets, and applications. This collaborative... read more

As AI systems grow more complex, they often become opaque “black boxes,” making it difficult for users to understand how decisions are made. This lack of transparency can lead to mistrust and hesitation in adopting AI technologies, especially in critical sectors. Explainable AI (XAI) emerges as a solution to this challenge, aiming to make AI systems more transparent, interpretable, and trustworthy.

The Importance of Explainable AI

Explainable AI refers to methods and techniques that allow human users to comprehend and trust the results produced by machine learning algorithms. Its significance extends beyond mere technological advancement, touching on crucial aspects... read more

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, one of the most significant challenges facing organizations is how to leverage diverse datasets for machine learning while maintaining data privacy and security. Enter federated learning—a revolutionary approach that’s transforming how we train AI models across distributed environments.

What is Federated Learning?

Federated learning is a machine learning technique that trains an algorithm across multiple independent sessions using separate datasets. It stands in contrast to centralized machine learning techniques where all local datasets are merged into one training session. This addresses data privacy, security, access rights, and access to heterogeneous data without sharing... read more

When ChatGPT first came out, one of the first things I did with it was ask it to write me code. This was two years ago and a lot has changed. First it was extensions in VS Code, then it was good extensions in VS Code, then it was GitHub’s Copilot, Cursor, and now Kiro. We are going to cover my impressions of these tools in this article but before we do, I’d like to suggest something for new and junior developers. These tools can accelerate what you do, but you understanding what they do, why it is good, why... read more

One of the biggest barriers to developing applications has always been coding. If you have a brilliant idea but lack programming skills, you’d typically need to hire a developer or learn to code yourself. Enter “vibe coding” platforms—AI-powered tools that promise to build applications through natural conversation. But do they live up to the hype?

I’ve spent months testing these platforms, investing real money to access full feature sets across multiple services. From invite-only beta platforms to established players, I tested Envato, Build.ai, Builder.ai, Replit, Lovable, Tempo, Emergent, and several others. Here’s what I discovered about the current state of... read more

A long time ago, when I was working in the Drupal CMS space, I was introduced to Lando. It was one of the first times I had seen a docker container impact the workflow of a project. It was not easy to setup initially but in the end the result was so positive, that it could not be ignored. Development environments have evolved significantly since then to solve the “works on my machine” problem.

In this post we will be getting technical, so if that is not your thing, don’t feel bad about hitting the back button.

A friend of mine Harry Hoffman recently shared an article by Sangeet Paul Choudary titled “The many fallacies of ‘AI won’t take your job, but someone using AI will’”. The article offers a thought-provoking analysis of how AI is transforming work. While the article covers multiple professions and systems, I’d like to focus on what this means specifically for software and web developers and how those professions are experiencing a transformation similar to what typists and other roles mentioned in the article faced.

I know that the mere writing of this article is going to strain some of my relationships.... read more

AI is revolutionizing biotechnology, transforming research and development across multiple sectors. Its applications span drug discovery, personalized medicine, agricultural biotech (we will talk about this in a different post), and environmental monitoring. This integration enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and accelerates innovation, particularly in drug development where timelines have been drastically shortened. These reasons are probably why Flagship Pioneering in Cambridge, MA launched Pioneering Intelligence in November of 2023.

However, as AI becomes a cornerstone of the “fourth industrial revolution,” it raises important ethical concerns. Issues such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, and equitable access to AI-driven innovations require careful consideration.... read more

Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize artificial intelligence, offering unprecedented computational power that could dramatically accelerate AI algorithms and unlock new capabilities. However, the technology is still in its early stages, with both exciting possibilities and significant challenges ahead.

Before we delve into the implications of quantum computing, I’d like to put things in perspective for those that are not as familiar with the topic. Not that I am an expert by any means. It is difficult to compare quantum processors and classical PC processors due to their fundamentally different architectures, quantum computers have the potential to be exponentially... read more

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, one of the most significant challenges facing organizations is how to leverage diverse datasets for machine learning while maintaining data privacy and security. Enter federated learning—a revolutionary approach that’s transforming how we train AI models across distributed environments.

What is Federated Learning?

Federated learning is a machine learning technique that trains an algorithm across multiple independent sessions using separate datasets. It stands in contrast to centralized machine learning techniques where all local datasets are merged into one training session. This addresses data privacy, security, access rights, and access to heterogeneous data without sharing... read more

This is not a typical post, but I never knew about this feature and it’s super useful. Have you ever taken multiple screenshots of a long web page? Have you ever printed a web page to pdf so you could share it with someone? Have you ever downloaded an extension to take a full-page screenshot? Well aparently web browsers offer various ways to capture full-page screenshots, allowing you to save entire web pages including content that extends beyond the visible screen area. Without having to jump through hoops.

Google Chrome (worst)

Chrome provides a hidden full-page screenshot feature within... read more

When ChatGPT first came out, one of the first things I did with it was ask it to write me code. This was two years ago and a lot has changed. First it was extensions in VS Code, then it was good extensions in VS Code, then it was GitHub’s Copilot, Cursor, and now Kiro. We are going to cover my impressions of these tools in this article but before we do, I’d like to suggest something for new and junior developers. These tools can accelerate what you do, but you understanding what they do, why it is good, why... read more

January 1st, 2026, happy new year and mark your calendars! That is the day the California AI Transparency Act (SB-942), signed into law on September 19, 2024, will go into effect. This legislation aims to address the growing concerns surrounding AI-generated content and its potential for misuse. But is this something that can actually be enforced? I will start with some take-aways and summaries, towards the end of the post I will be covering some questions and concerns that I have regarding this legislation.

Key Provisions

SB-942 introduces several important requirements for covered providers of generative AI systems. AI... read more

Perplexity AI has emerged as a significant player in the realm of search engines and research tools, offering a unique blend of features that distinguish it from traditional platforms. Can it dethrone Google as our go-to search engine of choice? For me it already has, but I think it is going to need to go through a rebrand if it wants to. In the following article we will cover some of the reasons why I find myself using it more than Google or Bing. I also want to discuss why I think it is going to need to change its... read more

Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize artificial intelligence, offering unprecedented computational power that could dramatically accelerate AI algorithms and unlock new capabilities. However, the technology is still in its early stages, with both exciting possibilities and significant challenges ahead.

Before we delve into the implications of quantum computing, I’d like to put things in perspective for those that are not as familiar with the topic. Not that I am an expert by any means. It is difficult to compare quantum processors and classical PC processors due to their fundamentally different architectures, quantum computers have the potential to be exponentially... read more

This is..(sniffle)…it’s like Christmas morning. I am so excited to share this with you. I came across Ollama today and within an hour was up and running on a laptop. I decided to do the same on my desktop so I could get more power and take screenshots as I share the simple process of getting a local AI chatbot up and running, with Ollama.

Why would you want to do this?

There are three reasons in my opinion that make this awesome. It’s FREE! No little coin counting down in the top right corner as you reach your... read more

January 1st, 2026, happy new year and mark your calendars! That is the day the California AI Transparency Act (SB-942), signed into law on September 19, 2024, will go into effect. This legislation aims to address the growing concerns surrounding AI-generated content and its potential for misuse. But is this something that can actually be enforced? I will start with some take-aways and summaries, towards the end of the post I will be covering some questions and concerns that I have regarding this legislation.

Key Provisions

SB-942 introduces several important requirements for covered providers of generative AI systems. AI... read more

As AI systems grow more complex, they often become opaque “black boxes,” making it difficult for users to understand how decisions are made. This lack of transparency can lead to mistrust and hesitation in adopting AI technologies, especially in critical sectors. Explainable AI (XAI) emerges as a solution to this challenge, aiming to make AI systems more transparent, interpretable, and trustworthy.

The Importance of Explainable AI

Explainable AI refers to methods and techniques that allow human users to comprehend and trust the results produced by machine learning algorithms. Its significance extends beyond mere technological advancement, touching on crucial aspects... read more

In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, Stanford University’s STORM has emerged as a powerful new player, promising to revolutionize the way we research and synthesize information. This open-source project, capable of generating comprehensive reports on any given topic, complete with sources, raises intriguing questions about the future of knowledge curation and dissemination.

As STORM aims to bridge the gap between vast online information and individual comprehension, it’s worth examining both its potential benefits and the challenges it may present to traditional research methods and critical thinking skills. With the ability to produce Wikipedia-like articles from scratch, STORM represents a... read more

As AI systems grow more complex, they often become opaque “black boxes,” making it difficult for users to understand how decisions are made. This lack of transparency can lead to mistrust and hesitation in adopting AI technologies, especially in critical sectors. Explainable AI (XAI) emerges as a solution to this challenge, aiming to make AI systems more transparent, interpretable, and trustworthy.

The Importance of Explainable AI

Explainable AI refers to methods and techniques that allow human users to comprehend and trust the results produced by machine learning algorithms. Its significance extends beyond mere technological advancement, touching on crucial aspects... read more

In this post we will cover some common mistakes I have seen people make in my training sessions and lunch-n-learns. I will also be providing you with some of the prompting methods that I have used successfully.

When search engines first came out, people were typing into them conversationally. The search engine had to parse out the extra words and find the user what they were looking for. Searches looked like: “I need help with changing my faucet, it is leaking everywhere”. And as people got better with search the search query would look like “replace faucet how-to”. This became... read more

This is..(sniffle)…it’s like Christmas morning. I am so excited to share this with you. I came across Ollama today and within an hour was up and running on a laptop. I decided to do the same on my desktop so I could get more power and take screenshots as I share the simple process of getting a local AI chatbot up and running, with Ollama.

Why would you want to do this?

There are three reasons in my opinion that make this awesome. It’s FREE! No little coin counting down in the top right corner as you reach your... read more

When I was a teenager I wanted to play the guitar, and on my birthday one summer I got a Fender DuoSonic, it was a cheap small guitar with barely enough frets to play anything on the higher notes. But that summer I played that guitar every single day for hours, listening and trying to play along with Metallica, Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Gary Moore, Black Sabbath and many more. When I went back to school I was playing on our school’s music teacher’s Gibson Nighthawk in his office/studio and he ran in, his hair all over the place and... read more

In this post we will cover some common mistakes I have seen people make in my training sessions and lunch-n-learns. I will also be providing you with some of the prompting methods that I have used successfully.

When search engines first came out, people were typing into them conversationally. The search engine had to parse out the extra words and find the user what they were looking for. Searches looked like: “I need help with changing my faucet, it is leaking everywhere”. And as people got better with search the search query would look like “replace faucet how-to”. This became... read more

This is..(sniffle)…it’s like Christmas morning. I am so excited to share this with you. I came across Ollama today and within an hour was up and running on a laptop. I decided to do the same on my desktop so I could get more power and take screenshots as I share the simple process of getting a local AI chatbot up and running, with Ollama.

Why would you want to do this?

There are three reasons in my opinion that make this awesome. It’s FREE! No little coin counting down in the top right corner as you reach your... read more

Hugging Face has emerged as a pivotal platform in the AI ecosystem, offering invaluable resources for developers, researchers, and startups venturing into the world of artificial intelligence. Founded in 2016, this New York-based company has rapidly evolved into a hub for machine learning innovation, providing a comprehensive suite of tools and services that democratize AI development. The last time I felt like this was when a friend of mine showed me alt binaries newsgroups.

A Collaborative AI Ecosystem

At its core, Hugging Face is a platform where the machine learning community collaborates on models, datasets, and applications. This collaborative... read more