Showing posts with label microsoft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label microsoft. Show all posts

Microsoft's 50th Birthday: Betting Big on AI-Powered Coding

Microsoft marked its 50th anniversary by boldly outlining its future path: prioritizing artificial intelligence as the core element in software development, beginning with developers.

At this significant occasion, Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella introduced an array of new AI-driven tools designed to revolutionize programming and speed up worldwide innovation.

What began as a developer tools company 50 years ago has transformed into a platform where anyone can become a developer," Nadella stated during his address last week. "The trajectory of our future won’t be determined by what we've created, but rather by what we enable others to create.

Nadella announced the immediate release of Agent Mode in Visual Studio Code, which brings a new feature allowing for autonomous AI agents aimed at helping developers in their work in real-time.

These "peer programmers" act as agents who foresee a developer’s requirements, propose solutions, and assist in bringing concepts to fruition with greater creativity and efficiency.

You truly realize you're onto something significant—when even CEOs can engage in 'vibe coding,' it indicates that intelligence has become commonplace," Nadella quipped. "However, seriously speaking, this isn’t merely an impressive parlor trick. Its impact is profound; it empowers individuals. It catalyzes human aspirations. And these changes are unfolding right at this moment.

Besides launching Agent Mode, Microsoft introduced a Code Review Agent capable of autonomously identifying and correcting bugs within code. Nadella framed these advancements as merely the start of an extensive effort to make AI development more accessible to everyone.

We're simplifying things more than ever for developers looking to create their own agents using Azure AI Foundry," he stated. "Imagine this as an agent manufacturing plant—a conveyor belt for smart solutions.

He mentioned that tens of thousands of organizations are currently utilizing Foundry, and Microsoft is enhancing its features through a novel agent framework designed for developing multi-agent systems. Additionally, they are introducing tools for assessments, refinements, adversarial testing, and security flaw identification—all geared towards helping developers produce reliable AI systems.

Nadella honored Microsoft’s founders — Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and ex-CEO Steve Ballmer — along with their vision that initiated the company’s path with a BASIC interpreter designed for the Altair computer.

Fifty years ago, Bill and Paul launched Microsoft with a straightforward yet potent concept: to create technology enabling individuals worldwide to develop even more technology," he stated. "This notion ignited the personal computer revolution and spawned an entirely new industry for our economy.

Today, Nadella stated that Microsoft’s mission stays the same—but it has broadened to address the requirements of a world influenced by artificial intelligence.

"We are at the forefront of this emerging tide of AI innovation... empowering individuals to wield this technology so they can develop software that propels their communities and nations ahead," he stated.

As Microsoft charts its course for the next half-century, the company is placing its bets on AI-driven programming and smart tools to mold both its own destiny and the global approach to technological development.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).

Bill Gates Reflects on Pioneering 50-Year-Old Computer Code That Revolutionized Technology

Even as he grows older, Microsoft founder Bill Gates still fondly remembers the catalytic computer code he wrote 50 years ago that opened up a new frontier in technology.

Although the code that Gates printed out on a teletype machine may look crude compared to what's powering today's artificial intelligence platforms, it played a critical role in creating Microsoft in April 1975 — a golden anniversary that the Redmond, Washington, company will celebrate on Friday.

Gates, 69, set the stage for that jubilee with a blog post reminiscing on how he and his old high school friend — the late Paul Allen — scrambled to create the world's first “software factory” after reading an article in the January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics magazine about the Altair 8800, a minicomputer that would be powered by a tiny chip made by the then-obscure technology company, Intel.

The article motivated Gates, who was merely a freshmen at Harvard University, along with Allen to reach out to Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems, the creator of Altair. They assured the company’s CEO, Ed Roberts, that they had created software capable of enabling users to manage the hardware. However, there was a catch: Gates and Allen didn’t actually have the code ready for Roberts yet.

Gates and Allen addressed the issue by adopting the BASIC programming language, which was created back in 1964 at Dartmouth College. However, they needed to devise a method for ensuring this tech would work seamlessly with the upcoming Altair computer, despite not having access to an actual model of the device yet.

Following two months of minimal rest spent developing the software, Gates completed the code that formed the foundation for the Altair’s initial operating system. "This piece of coding stands out as the most impressive I have ever done," he stated in his blog entry, where visitors can also choose to download the original program.

This code was instrumental in establishing a company that turned personal computers into everyday essentials within households. The firm offered an array of software including applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint along with the Windows operating system, which continues to drive most PCs currently in use.

"That marked the revolution," Gates stated regarding the code. in a video accompanying his post. “That was the thing that ushered in personal computing.”

Gates' recollection of the code is part of a nostalgic kick that he has been on this year as he prepares to turn 70 in October.

The trip down memory lane included the February launch of a memoir delving into his formative years as a frequently misinterpreted youngster who struggled to find companionship, along with celebrating the 25th anniversary of the charitable organization he established following his exit from Microsoft’s top executive role in 2000. Once faltering post-Gates’ resignation, the technological powerhouse has flourished under current CEO Satya Nadella, amassing approximately $2.8 trillion in market valuation.

In his memoir, Gates also reflected on his tempestuous relationship with fellow PC pioneer, the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, whose company will be celebrating its golden anniversary next year.

Fifty years is quite extensive," remarked Gates, whose individual wealth is valued around $108 billion. "It’s astonishing that the vision became a reality.

Michael Liedtke, The Associated Press