The big news this week was a call from tech luminaries to pause development and deployment of AI models more advanced than OpenAI’s GTP-4—the stunningly capable language algorithm behind ChatGPT—until risks including job displacement and misinformation can be better understood.

Even if OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and other tech heavyweights were to stop what they’re doing—and they’re not going to stop what they’re doing—the AI ​​models that have already been developed are likely to have profound impacts, especially in software development.

It might not look like a regular business deal, but Alphabet’s agreement to supply AI to Replit, a web-based coding tool with over 20 million users, is something of a seismic shift. Replit will use Google’s AI models, along with others, in Ghostwriter, a tool that recommends code and answers code-related questions in a similar manner to ChatGPT. Amjad Masad, Replit’s CEO, tells me that Google has “super cool technology” and that his company can get it into the hands of developers. Through this partnership, Google will also make Replit available to users of Google Cloud, helping it reach more business customers.

The move is particularly significant because Alphabet is squaring up to Microsoft and GitHub, which are also using AI to assist coders with Copilot, an add-on for Visual Studio. The same AI that makes ChatGPT seem so clever works on computer languages. When you start typing code, tools like Copilot will suggest a way to complete it.

Alphabet’s move also signals what could be the next big battleground for large tech companies. While so much attention is being paid to ChatGPT parlor tricks and Midjourey 5 versions of Donald Trump, the bigger story is about which companies can offer developers the best AI tools—and the new software that developers will build with that AI by their side.

Research from Microsoft suggests that developers can perform tasks over 50 percent faster when using an AI assistant. Companies that offer cutting-edge AI can draw developers to their coding tools and get those users hooked on their clouds and other stuff. Amazon has developed an AI coding tool called Code Whisperer, and Meta is working on one for internal use too. Presumably, Apple will not want to be left behind.

As well as helping developers write code, AI is starting to change the way code is put together. Last week, OpenAI announced that the first plugins for ChatGPT had been created. They will make it possible for the bot to perform tasks such as searching for flights, booking restaurants, and ordering groceries. Incorporating AI into code can also accelerate software development. This week Masad of Replit shared a neat example—an app that will turn voice commands into working websites. “We think a lot of software projects will start that way in the future,” Masad says.

With things moving so quickly, it’s worth considering what the consequences of rapidly incorporating AI into software development might be. AI tools can reproduce vulnerabilities in the code they suggest that developers may not notice or might be unable to spot. Perhaps developers will become more complacent, or see their skills atrophy, if they rely too heavily on AI. And what kind of “technical debt” might emerge if programmers need to go back and fix software that no human has ever closely examined?

It may not be long before we find out.

March 23, 2023
By Molly Miossi

ATLANTA – Scripps News will significantly expand its documentary programming by creating a new long-form unit dedicated to producing compelling cinematic offerings for Scripps News platforms and distribution partners.

Scripps News, a division of The EW Scripps Company, is the nation’s only 24/7 TV news network available for free over the air.

New full-time hires joining Scripps News’ longform team will include journalists with experience on shows such as CNN’s “This Is Life,” Showtime’s “VICE” and Comedy Central’s “Klepper.” Zach Toombs has been promoted to director of long form and will oversee the network’s documentary programming. Toombs, previously the deputy director of programs, will report to Scripps Head of Program Development Ethan Nelson.

Scripps News’ expanded documentary programming will build on its award-winning lineup that includes:

• “Scripps News Showcase” (formerly known as “Newsy Docs Presents”), a showcase of documentary films that introduce viewers to captivating characters and impactful issues. Season 4 of “Scripps News Showcase” will premiere March 26 and will feature originally produced projects and documentaries from independent filmmakers.
• “In Real Life,” a documentary series that dives deep on a different topic in each episode. Season 4 of “In Real Life” will premiere April 2.
• “NextLevel,” an original series that dives into the real-world influence of gaming — from its impact on technology and entertainment to politics and culture at large. Season 2 of “Next Level” will premiere this fall.
• “Bellingcat,” a series that brings viewers open-source visual investigations that use satellite imagery, social media and online tools to shed light on international conflict — from tracking weapon supplies to debunking government claims. This Emmy-nominated series is a partnership of Scripps News and the investigative journalism outlet Bellingcat.

“Scripps is proud to be expanding our award-winning documentary programming. “Not only is the content engaging, but this kind of compelling longform broadcast journalism is essential to keeping viewers informed and enlightened,” said Scripps News President Kate O’Brian.

“At a time when the ethical lines of documentary production are increasingly blurred, we’re keeping journalism and the journalistic process at the center of our work,” said Toombs. “Our mission is to create documentaries and series that inform, entertain and build trust with our viewers.”

Some of the planned documents:

• April 2, “In Real Life: Crypto Crash”
  What was behind the collapse of crypto giant FTX? And what does it say about digital currencies, celebrity endorsements, and the collision of tech and finance? Insider accounts and creative animation take viewers beyond the headlines.
• April 16, “In Real Life: Next Gen Stunts”
  A new generation of Hollywood stunt workers is changing the industry from the ground up. Featuring the stunt team behind “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” this documentary shows the behind-the-scenes reality for a new crop of stunt workers making Hollywood’s biggest hits.
• May 7, Scripps News Showcase, “No Greater Love”
  An Army chaplain looks at combat deployment in Afghanistan and the various struggles that returning soldiers face in this award-winning documentary film.
• May 14, “In Real Life: Ukrainian Sniper”
  A Ukrainian sniper navigates a warzone and a pregnancy, creating a space for more women on the frontlines.
• May 21, “In Real Life: Voices of Nature”
  Artificial intelligence opens up new possibilities for scientists communicating with animals — from sending messages to elephants on the plains of Kenya to mimicking honey bees and bat sounds.

Media contacts: Michael Perry, (513) 259-4718, [email protected]

About Scripps News
Scripps News (@ScrippsNews) is the nation’s only free 24/7 broadcast news network, serving viewers opinion-free national news from 16 news bureaus across the US and Scripps’ Local Media national desk. Scripps News is available in more than 94% of US television homes free and over the air with a digital antenna, on mobile with the Scripps News app and online at ScrippsNews.com. It is also carried on streaming platforms and services, including Samsung TV Plus, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Pluto TV, Apple TV, Sling, Vizio and Xumo. Scripps News is part of The EW Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).

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The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is pleased to share programming plans for Canada Day on Thursday, July 1.

Canada Day this year will see select, COVID-19 safe programming spread throughout Whistler. Whistler, originally known as Cwítima (Lil’wat) and Sk̲wik̲w (Squamish), is in the shared, unceded territory of the Lil’wat People and the Squamish People. The city recognizes that this July 1 will be a time to reflect on all of Canada’s municipal history, including its past and present truths about our relationship with Indigenous peoples.

Part of the programming includes 215 orange hearts that mark a path between the Maury Young Arts Center and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. These hearts are installed to represent the 215 children who lost their lives at a Kamloops residential school and never returned home to their families. It is hoped that this path of hearts provides an invitation to everyone to deepen their understanding about local First Nations peoples so that our future in Canada can be one of truth, reconciliation, love and understanding.

Programming includes:

• Free admission to the SLCC throughout the day
• Yoga in the Plaza at Whistler Olympic Plaza from 9:30 to 10:30 am
• Spo7ez Performance Team Drum Circle at Whistler Olympic Plaza at 10:45 am
• Whistler’s Moving Meadows art showcase at Whistler Olympic Plaza from noon to 4 pm
• Scavenger Hunt pick up at Whistler Olympic Plaza from noon to 4 pm
• Live painting with local artists Dave “Pepe” Petko, Taka Sudo and Ben Poechman at Whistler Olympic Plaza from noon to 4 pm
• Paintillio large paint-by-numbers mural at Town Plaza Gazebo from 11 am to 4 pm
• Street entertainment including Treeline Aerialists and roving characters from noon to 4 pm

Everyone is also encouraged to explore places throughout Whistler, such as:

• Taking one of Whistler’s Self-Guided Tours, including Nature Walking Tour, LIFTing the Community, Public Art Tours, and the Whistler 2010 Games Experience”
• Visiting the Audain Art Museum, Whistler Museum & Archives, Valley of Dreams Walking Tour, Discover Nature pop-up museum at Lost Lake Park, Summer Bobsleigh at the Whistler Sliding Center, sightseeing and hiking on Whistler Blackcomb and Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

Enjoy food trucks and pop-ups at Whistler’s parks with Park Eats, such as crepes, gelato, pizza, burgers, kombucha, sandwiches, salads and more. Portobello is also offering food delivery to many of Whistler parks. Learn more.

Get around by walking, biking or talking the bus. The free park shuttle is now in effect, and Whistler Transit will be offered free all day. Free secure Bike Parking is also available at Lost Lake, Rainbow Park and Whistler Olympic Park. Learn more.

For full programming details, visit whistler.ca/CanadaDay.

Funding is made possible thanks to the Province of British Columbia’s Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT Hotel Tax) revenues collected in Whistler.

“Let’s mark this day with understanding,” said Whistler Major Jack Crompton. “Through this carefully considered programming, the RMOW hopes to engage non-indigenous people, help foster greater awareness and understanding, and provide a forum for people to positively commit to an act of reconciliation.”

Each summer, student interns join the Lancaster County 4-H staff.

Three full-time EXTENSION INTERNS help with ongoing summer programming, including contests, Lancaster County Super Fair and other activities.
• Ellie Babcock assists with static exhibits and contests. She is an upcoming junior at University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
• Stephanie Stephens assists with the livestock, dog and poultry projects. She is an upcoming senior at UNL.
• Jacie Pelikan assists with the horse, rabbit, cat and household pet projects. She is an upcoming junior at UNL.

Three NEAR-PEER STEM DISCOVERY INTERNS serve through a collaboration with Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development and identified 21st Century Community Learning Center (CLC) sites. The interns engage youth during out-of-school time at CLCs and other educational 4-H programs.
• Matthan Sigowa is from Lincoln and is an upcoming junior at UNL.
• William Carbino is from Lake Helen, Fla. and is an upcoming senior at UNL.
• Taylor Sorensen is from Fremont and is an upcoming senior at UNL.

One WHY WE SCIENCE THROUGH 4-H GRANT INTERN presented the iGrow program to youth.
• Krista Price is from Grand Island and is an upcoming sophomore at UNL.

AI pair programming tools, designed to speed up development, bring benefits ranging from suggestions for simple lines of code to the ability to build and deploy entire applications, but the pitfalls are significant.

In addition to improving productivity by alleviating some of the more mundane coding tasks, developers who use AI pair programming tools experience less frustration and can focus on more satisfying work, according to a GitHub survey of 2,000 developers. An array of these tools exist, including this year’s releases GitHub Copilot, Amazon CodeWhisperer and Tabnine. They joined a long list of existing AI-powered bots such as Kite Team Server, DeepMind’s AlphaCode and IBM’s Project CodeNet.

While AI pair programming shows promise in generating predictable, template-like code — reusable code snippets such as conditional statements or loops — developers should question the quality and suitability of code suggestions, said Ronald Schmelzer, managing partner with the CPMAI AI project management certification at Cognilytica.

“It runs into lots of problems around whether or not the code is applicable, security holes and bugs, and myriads of copyright issues,” he said.

Kamil Zarajczyk, BEng and Filip Szewczyk, students of the robotization of manufacturing processes, as well as members of the Student Scientific Club of Robotization and Computer Science Applications, took first place at the Student Automation Championship in programming logic controllers in industrial machines. Our team defeated 50 teams from all over Poland. The final of the Championship was held on October 5, 2022 in Olsztyn, during the 5th Specialist Conference “Automation and Robotization of Industry”.

The organizers of the competition assured: – Industrial automation is a fantastic industry and we want to attract as many people as possible by showing them what the work of automation specialists is all about. The Student Automation Championship gives you the opportunity to showcase your skills and enables developers to start building their personal brand.

The main goal of the competition is to popularize PLC programming among future industrial automation programmers.

– The subject of the competition, ie PLC, is a microprocessor responsible for controlling the machine.

PLC programming is all about writing algorithms that make the device perform specific actions – says Dr. Eng. Łukasz Sobaszek, supervisor of the Student Scientific Club of Robotization and Computer Science Applications.

The first stage of the competition was about solving tasks in the field of general knowledge of automation, as well as the ability to interpret and write PLC code. In the second stage, the participants solved a practical problem which concerned programming a simulated production line. In the final stage, the four best teams from Poland had to develop a program to control the high-bay warehouse. The final task included a number of requirements in the fields of system operation modes, safety systems operation, counting elements, or the implementation of the defined priority rule.

– I’m proud of my students. They perfectly used the knowledge gained during the classes at LUT and working in the research club. Our club is open to all people interested in modern software used in the broadly understood computer support of manufacturing processes and robotization of production – emphasizes Dr. Eng. Łukasz Sobaszek.

The organizers of the competition were: the job portal ‘RobotaAutomatyka.pl’, the Alnea company, as well as the organizers of the ‘Automation and Robotization of Industry’ conference.