📆 September 24th 2024 📆 

An overview of CursorAI - the latest entry into the promise of improved developer workflows and AI enhanced innovation. Interesting in the news this week:

• Cloudflare Enhances AI Bot Defense Tools

• Sam Altman in a rare blog post talks about the intelligence explosion that he claims is on our doorstep

• TogetherAI launches a new platform to streamline enterprise AI deployments

• Altimate AI's new DataMates product looks to improve data operations

Dive in for all the details!

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AI Will Replace You — But Not How You Think

Before the latest evolution of AI models, few thought programming jobs would be among the first to be disrupted. After all, we’re the ones who program the AI—how could it replace us?

Fast forward a few years, and the landscape has shifted. Now, we face the question: Will AI fully replace programmers?

While some worry, I don't think human developers will be entirely replaced. Programmers bring too much creativity and problem-solving to be pushed out of the loop. Like any tech revolution, there will be those who embrace new tools to improve their workflow and those who resist change.

This cycle isn’t new. Every major technological shift brings along detractors—people who refuse to adapt, or adapt too late. What I'm discussing today is one of those “adapt with the times” tools. And as I like to say, “It’s the worst it will ever be.”

Cursor AI: Your New Coding Sidekick

Cursor AI is built to be a highly intelligent assistant with access to documentation, coding practices, and the ability to cut hours off your coding time. Think GitHub Copilot, but with more power. Cursor is a full fork of the Visual Studio Code repository, meaning it integrates seamlessly into your coding workflow in ways Copilot can’t.

Packed with VS Code’s familiar features, Cursor AI offers a suite of AI-powered tools that actively assist within your codebase. Here are the standout features:

• Ctrl-K: Highlight code or start from scratch, then use natural language to describe what you want. This helps you move quickly through boilerplate tasks, freeing up time for the more innovative parts.

• Using Documentation: While base AI models may struggle with newer frameworks, Cursor allows you to reference live documentation for more up-to-date code generation.

• Code Generation: Cursor predicts and suggests full implementations based on your existing code, acting like a supercharged version of IntelliSense.

• Smart Rewrites: Whether you're in a rush or just want clean code, Cursor can rewrite and format your work on the fly, saving time across a project.

• Codebase Chat: In unfamiliar codebases, this feature helps you ask questions and get directed to relevant parts of the code, making onboarding and legacy code navigation much easier.

It’s Not All Perfect

As I said, Cursor is the worst it will ever be, but it's still impressive. However, there are a few limitations to consider:

• You Need an Internet Connection: This became painfully clear when I tried using it on a plane. It's not a huge issue in today’s world, but it’s something to keep in mind.

• Reliance on AI: The more we rely on tools like Cursor, the less we might learn. Without an internet connection or enough foundational knowledge, this could create stressful coding situations.

• You Didn’t Write the Code: Letting AI generate large portions of code raises a question—what happens when it breaks? If you don’t fully understand the code, fixing it might be a challenge.

• Suggestions May Not Be Correct: Like all AI, Cursor can make mistakes, such as generating incorrect suggestions due to poor training data. Keeping a human-in-the-loop approach is critical to maintaining accuracy.

Pricing

Cursor AI uses several models from providers like OpenAI and Anthropic, with a base subscription price of $20 per month. This covers their costs for using these models. There is an option to bring your own API key, but with the back-and-forth nature of these tools, this could get expensive for longer coding sessions. In my opinion, $20 per month is a fair price for the flexibility and power it offers.

Final Thoughts: Is Cursor AI Worth It?

Cursor AI is a strong new player in the world of coding assistants. Its greatest strength is its seamless integration into a developer’s workflow. While it’s not perfect, that’s not the point—this tool is designed to eliminate the menial tasks, allowing you to focus on the big-picture problems.

That said, Cursor AI isn't a magic solution. If you’re new to coding, you may struggle, thinking the tool doesn’t work. You still need enough knowledge to spot problematic code or understand logical errors. Cursor is about enhancing your efficiency, not replacing your expertise. Its limitations only arise when you expect it to do all the work for you.

And remember, let the machine handle the grunt work—we’ve got bigger fish to fry!

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📰 News 📰 

Cloudflare Launches AI Audit Tool to Combat Data Scraping

Cloudflare has introduced an AI Audit control panel to help businesses manage and monitor AI-driven bots that scrape website content for data training purposes. This tool provides analytics on crawler activity, enabling website owners to assess the impact of AI bots and decide whether to negotiate data-sharing agreements or block access. The rise in AI web scrapers poses risks by using site data without permission, potentially reducing traffic and revenue. Cloudflare aims to offer transparency and control to mitigate these challenges.

Read More At: The Register

Sam Altman’s Vision for the "Intelligence Age"

In The Intelligence Age, Sam Altman discusses the transformative potential of AI, likening its future impact to previous technological revolutions. Altman emphasizes that advancements in AI, driven by deep learning, will significantly boost human capability, enabling personal AI assistants, better healthcare, and vast scientific breakthroughs. However, he warns that global infrastructure must scale to make AI accessible to all, cautioning against a future where AI could become a resource only for the wealthy.

Read more at: The Intelligence Age

Together AI Enhances Private Cloud AI Deployment

Together AI has launched its Together Enterprise Platform, enabling efficient AI deployment in private clouds. This platform addresses concerns around data privacy, performance, and cost-efficiency, allowing organizations to manage AI models within their own infrastructure. The platform promises to enhance AI inference performance by up to three times while reducing hardware usage by 50%. Additionally, it supports the orchestration of multiple AI models, utilizing a unique Mixture of Agents approach for improved outcomes. This innovation aims to empower enterprises to leverage AI technologies effectively while maintaining control over their data.

Read More At: VentureBeat

Revolutionizing Data Operations with Agentic AI

Altimate AI's new DataMates technology aims to enhance enterprise data operations by automating tasks and reducing workloads for data teams. By acting as virtual teammates, these AI agents streamline processes like documentation and performance optimization, allowing teams to focus on higher-level tasks. The integration of ambient AI further enhances efficiency by providing proactive insights without constant manual intervention. Backed by industry leaders, Altimate AI is positioned to address the growing demand for improved productivity in data management. Learn more about this innovative solution at VentureBeat.

Read More At: VentureBeat

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