Sam Altman on The Accidental Success of Artificial Intelligence

Sam Altman recently came on the Joe Rogan podcast and they had a very casual conversation about the trajectory of AI. This conversation looked at what AI means for the future, the yin and yang of the technology, Sam’s original expectations for his creation (OpenAI), and ultimately what this revolution means in a broad sense.

Sam reflects on some of the biggest innovations in history and outlines similarities to what’s going on with AI. He claims that every evolution in technology throughout history is connected and AI is sort of the end of the rope.

To be honest, this kind of dialogue is very common as the general public’s ideas surrounding AI are still forming. But without a firm grasp on what’s already available - how can we as leaders in tech hold ourselves accountable to help drive the right kind of change?

What Altman outlines in this interview is very interesting, especially when he says that the chain of reactions he expected (10 years ago) for AI taking on jobs followed a ladder like this:

1. Blue collar labor

2. Cognitive labour

3. Creative jobs

He then said that this original prediction ended up being exactly the opposite and that at the moment AI can’t take on entire jobs - but it can help with tasks in people’s jobs to boost productivity.

The Unexpected

Altman’s key insight was that the development and evolution of AI and artificial general intelligence (AGI) may not follow a predetermined or straightforward path. He suggests that the future of AI and AGI may be more gradual and continuous than previously thought, with ongoing refinements, improvements, and challenges along the way.

The biggest takeaway here is how dramatically artificial intelligence has surpassed our expectations. It continues to do so, which raises questions about AGI and how the potential of these systems' self-improving is both exciting and somewhat unpredictable.

As we continue down this path of unexpectedness, one thing that’s critical for businesses and consumers to do is leverage. Leverage every AI tool at your disposal, experiment with them, and spend time with them. The more familiar you become - the better equipped you'll be.

What’s Next? 

Artificial Intelligence is very unpredictable as we know, but as a business owner, you have the ability to call the shots necessary to succeed. It starts with understanding opportunities for growth, and being proactive in how you approach them. 

That’s why we created the AI Tool - to show businesses where their deficiencies are, and then help them make the right changes. At ISU Corp, our team of AI experts is here to help you succeed long-term!

P.S.

This blog was 99% AI-generated.

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ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.

Top Programming Languages in High Demand

No matter how advanced Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning gets, programming languages remain the foundation of a well-rounded software system, interface, automation tool, you name it. We’ve been in this game for over 18 years, and we’ve seen changes and downturns of all sizes, yet still, we’re able to overcome adversity because of the immense level of value that comes from customized IT solutions.

It’s truly been amazing to see the innovation and evolution of software development, tools, and of course programming languages and how we leverage them. Today there are a handful of languages in-demand that developers should think about for their careers in addition to personal projects. To give you an example, for data science - Python, for web development - JavaScript, and for systems programming - Rust.

When you're a company delivering custom IT solutions, your programming languages need to be categorized to meet the needs of each industry you serve. For example, the languages we use to approach a LIMS system implementation in a laboratory are going to be a lot different than how we approach web development. It’s the small details that matter in software development; by 2024, it’s expected that there will be 28.7 million software developers globally. 

How can these upcoming developers prepare themselves for such a competitive landscape? By mastering the basics and those small details.

The Basics of Code

The most basic it can get when it comes to software development is understanding that every line of code, every variable declaration, and every algorithmic choice plays a crucial role in crafting your solution. When we look at programming languages in a broad sense we can categorize them into three distinctions: 

Interpreted languages: Translates code into machine code on the fly which is great for rapid development and prototyping. Some languages include JavaScript, PHP, and Python.

Compiled languages: These tend to be faster and more efficient than interpreted languages, as the code is translated directly into machine code which is great when developing performance-critical applications like a video game or operating system. Some languages include C, C++, and Java.

Scripting languages: Task automation and web development are the bread and butter of these languages. They’re often paired with other programming languages to create more complex applications. Some of these languages include JavaScript, Python, and Perl.

What’s in Demand?

We’re witnessing a massive shift in the way we interact with technology; everything is becoming automated and simplified which has a massive influence over which programming languages are used most. With that said, here is what we’ve organized as some of the most in-demand programming languages right now:

TypeScript/JavaScript

TypeScript and JavaScript stand out as highly sought-after languages in the landscape for many reasons but the key ones to note are:

• Their prevalence in web development.

• Their versatility in everything from front-end and back-end development to the creation of mobile applications.

• It’s ability to help developers identify and rectify errors at an early stage of the development cycle.

C#

Developed by Microsoft, C# is a great language for Windows desktop applications, web development, and video game development. It's in high demand because of its power, ease of learning, and broad industry applications.

PHP

PHP is a server-side scripting language that’s also great for web development due to its simplicity and compatibility with different web servers and databases. It's particularly popular in industries like e-commerce, social media, and any content management systems.

Python 

Python is inevitable in terms of popularity. It’s a versatile, widely used high-level programming language known for its simplicity and readability. It finds applications in scientific computing, data analysis, AI, web development, and more. Its popularity has surged recently, making it especially highly in demand right now among beginners due to its user-friendly syntax and library support. Key benefits today for developers using Python to note:

• Hundreds of libraries and frameworks.

• Widely used in big data, machine learning, and cloud computing.

• A first-choice language for many developers, due to its simplicity.

• High demand for the language = bigger salary

Ruby

Ruby is primarily used in web development. It’s best known for its simplicity and readability and is in high demand across industries that also include e-commerce, social media, and content management systems. Ruby on Rails, a popular web framework, further bolsters its use in web development.

Java

Java is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language valued for its portability, security, and scalability. It’s extensively used in mobile app development, web applications, and enterprise software across a ton of different industries.

GO

GO is a newer age language that Google created 15 years ago to address some of the problems they were facing while developing their software infrastructure. GO was created to be a programming language that was easier to use but still had the useful characteristics of Java and C++. Knowing GO today is great for system and network planning as well as large-scale distributed systems. It’s also good to use for cloud-native apps.

C/C++

This is great for building a foundation for many other programming languages, which when you’re trying to learn to program can be invaluable. C/C++ is still heavily used in many industries, including gaming, finance, and aerospace which would present some great job opportunities for developers looking for work today. It’s often used for system programming, embedded systems, and high-performance applications.

Building Your Programming Arsenal

When you’re looking at prioritizing which programming language to learn, several key factors should be taken into account:

Type of Application: The kind of application you’re looking to develop is the most critical factor. Your choice of language has to align with the requirements and characteristics of your project.

Complexity of the Application: The complexity of your project plays a big role in influencing what you use. Make sure that what you select is well-suited to handle the intricacy of your application.

Efficiency: Language efficiency is essential, especially for performance-critical applications (Video games, medical imaging systems, transaction processing systems, etc.). Consider whether the language can meet your requirements for speed and resource optimization.

Ease of Learning: The ease of learning the language is obviously super important for beginners. Opt for a language with a beginner-friendly syntax if you're just starting.

Availability of Resources: While valuable, the availability of resources like documentation and community support is a secondary consideration. It should support your choice of language rather than dictate it.

The Takeaway

There’s a lot that goes into even the most basic principles of programming. That’s why when your company is looking for someone to take on an important project - you need a team of experienced professionals who can guide you to success.

ISU Corp specializes in project takeovers and software outsourcing - we’d love to match your problems with our solutions. But for developers on the come up in the market, the best thing you can do is be as versatile as possible, because that’s what companies need to thrive.

Written By Ben Brown

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ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.

The Importance of ESG in Software Development

ESG is a massive movement in the global market that’s forcing businesses to adjust their approach to sustainability and corporate practices. ESG (environmental, social, and governance) practices are measured in scores that are beginning to dictate whether people invest in the company or not. 

The scores generally go from 0-100; anything below 50 is bad and will impact the company's reputation, bottom line, and long-term potential. Anything above 70 is great and consumers will look at the company as though supporting them is supporting the good of people and the planet.  

This recent commercial from Apple will give you a good idea of how that looks:

When it comes to software and technology, companies are under a ton of pressure to minimize their carbon footprint, reduce energy consumption, and implement eco-friendly practices throughout the software development lifecycle. 

The “S” or the social component is measured based on the work environment (diversity and inclusivity). This is going to be crucial for attracting and retaining talent. 

And lastly, when it comes to the governance of technology - the focus is on using data ethically and being transparent when making decisions. Data privacy is a focal point, especially now with six million data records being exposed in the first quarter of 2023.

Finding Your Solution

Sustainable IT isn’t an easy or replicable task but it’s absolutely necessary for companies to prioritize as we go forward with heightened environmental and ethical awareness. Custom software is a massive influence in this sense as it’s the focus of sustainable technology and can completely change the image of a company looking to improve its ESG.

These are some ways custom software enhances this process:

ESG practices for custom software development are like an umbrella that encompasses the process of tracking, managing, improving, and repeat. Microsoft is one of the best examples of this, and they check each box adequately:

Environmental sustainability: Microsoft wants to become carbon-negative by 2030 and to remove all the carbon it has emitted since it was founded by 2050. The company also invested in renewable energy and has implemented sustainable practices in its offices and data centers.

Social responsibility: Microsoft has implemented a handful of social responsibility initiatives, like giving $3.2 billion in donated and discounted technology to over 300,000 nonprofits serving over 1.2 billion people globally.

Governance practices: In the ESG report from Microsoft, they talk about prioritizing transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making (As you would hope). In addition, the company has also set goals to improve its cybersecurity and data privacy practices. 

Managing and tracking this entire process in addition to the logistics aspect of technical adjustments are made possible through custom software. KPI monitoring, automating workflows, IoT tracking of energy usage, scalable metrics, and accessible data storage systems, all fall under the IT umbrella. 

Not Investing in Technology 

One way or another, the market is headed in this direction - companies who don’t pivot can expect the following: 

Missed Opportunities: Stakeholders are looking at ESG as a benchmark of a company's longevity. Without it, companies are going to struggle to attract environmentally and socially conscious customers as well as investors.

Increased Risk: Without adequate technology investments in data security and privacy, companies run the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks. These incidents can not only damage the company's reputation but also lead to financial losses and legal liabilities.

Competition: Imagine your competitor not investing in ESG practices, but you do. Would you say you have a leg up when it comes to marketability? If your answer is yes - why are you still in the reversed role?

ESG Going Forward

The futures for both ESG and technology are promising, and their relevance in the marketplace is only expected to grow. How will the two merge? Will AI embody quality assurance managers for companies' ESG practices? How will your company leverage each component?

Most companies don’t know where to begin, which is why we created this free tool to get you started on the right foot. While it won’t create an ESG plan for you, it can help you make informed decisions and navigate the dynamic landscape of sustainability and technology.

Written By Ben Brown

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ISU Corp is an award-winning software development company, with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries, providing cost-effective custom software development, technology management, and IT outsourcing.

Our unique owners’ mindset reduces development costs and fast-tracks timelines. We help craft the specifications of your project based on your company's needs, to produce the best ROI. Find out why startups, all the way to Fortune 500 companies like General Electric, Heinz, and many others have trusted us with their projects. Contact us here.