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Geek Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Geek Wire
Reality check: Microsoft Azure CTO pushes back on AI vibe coding hype, sees upper limit long-term
Microsoft Azure CTO Mark Russinovich speaks at a Technology Alliance event Tuesday in Redmond. (GeekWire Photo / Todd Bishop) REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft Azure CTO Mark Russinovich cautioned that 'vibe coding' and AI-driven software development tools aren't capable of replacing human programmers for complex software projects, contrary to the industry's most optimistic aspirations for artificial intelligence. Russinovich, giving the keynote Tuesday at a Technology Alliance startup and investor event, acknowledged the effectiveness of AI coding tools for simple web applications, basic database projects, and rapid prototyping, even when used by people with little or no programming experience. However, he said these tools often break down when handling the most complex software projects that span multiple files and folders, and where different parts of the code rely on each other in complicated ways — the kinds of real-world development work that many professional developers tackle daily. 'These things are right now still beyond the capabilities of our AI systems,' he said. 'You're going to see progress made. They're going to get better. But I think that there's an upper limit with the way that autoregressive transformers work that we just won't get past.' Even five years from now, he predicted, AI systems won't be independently building complex software on the highest level, or working with the most sophisticated code bases. Instead, he said, the future lies in AI-assisted coding, where AI helps developers write code but humans maintain oversight of architecture and complex decision-making. This is more in line with Microsoft's original vision of AI as a 'Copilot,' a term that originated with the company's GitHub Copilot AI-powered coding assistant. Russinovich, a longtime Microsoft technical and cloud leader, gave an insider's overview of the AI landscape, including reasoning models that can think through complex problems before responding; the decline in unit costs for training and running AI models; and the growing importance of small language models that can run efficiently on edge devices. Mark Russinovich discusses the shift in resources from AI training to inference. (GeekWire Photo / Todd Bishop) He described the flip that has taken place in computing resources, from primarily training AI models in the past to now focusing more on AI inference, as usage of artificial intelligence has soared. He also discussed the emergence of agentic AI systems that can operate autonomously — reflecting a big push this year for Microsoft and other tech giants — as well as AI's growing contributions to scientific discoveries, such as the newly announced Microsoft Discovery. But Russinovich, who is also Azure's chief information security officer, kept gravitating back to AI limitations, offering a healthy reality check overall. He discussed his own AI safety research, including a technique that he and other Microsoft researchers developed called 'crescendo' that can trick AI models into providing information they'd otherwise refuse to give. The crescendo method works like a 'foot in the door' psychological attack, he explained, where someone starts with innocent questions about a forbidden topic and gradually pushes the AI to reveal more detailed information. Ironically, he noted, the crescendo technique was referenced in a recent research paper that made history as the first largely AI-generated research ever accepted into a tier-one scientific conference. Russinovich also delved extensively into ongoing AI hallucination problems — showing examples of Google and Microsoft Bing giving incorrect AI-generated answers to questions about the time of day in the Cook Islands, and the current year, respectively. 'AI is very unreliable. That's the takeaway here,' he said. 'And you've got to do what you can to control what goes into the model, ground it, and then also verify what comes out of the model.' Depending on the use case, Russinovich added, 'you need to be more rigorous or not, because of the implications of what's going to happen.'
Forbes
28-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
9 Career Paths That Will Thrive In The New Economy
From tech to sustainability, the future needs Black talent. These career paths are more than ... More promising opportunities. They are powerful platforms to lead, innovate, and drive lasting change across industries. The new economy is being molded by innovation, social change, and rapid advancements in technology. For Black professionals, this transformation offers powerful opportunities to step into careers that offer not only financial security but also influence and impact. The future favors those who combine insight, strategy, and purpose and who implement new ideas and create roles where they can think bigger, bolder, and more expansively. Here are 9 career paths Black professionals can confidently pursue to thrive in the emerging economy: 1. Tech & AI Strategy Tech runs the world, and now AI is changing how everything operates. From machine learning to automation, Black tech professionals can use their skills in coding and design to create tech and software that are ethical, inclusive, and community-forward. Careers in AI ethics, data strategy, and product management are rising fast and in demand. Professionals can combine a background in computer science, design, or communications with certifications in AI/ML or UX. Stay ahead by learning the latest prompt engineering or data literacy tools like Python or SQL. 2. Digital Law & Policy Innovation New technology demands new laws and regulations. Data privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and digital equity are high-stakes fields. Black professionals with a legal or public affairs background can lead the charge in writing policies and frameworks that protect vulnerable communities and help new companies, startups, and the public understand such policies more clearly. Consider a Master of Legal Studies (MLS), a Master of Public Policy, or a JD with a focus on technology, privacy, or business law. You can also join tech, political science and policy fellowships and connect with your state's bar and legal networks to stay in the loop. 3. Urban & Rural Innovation The next economy must work for everyone, or it will work for no one. Smart cities, mobility equity, and climate-resilient infrastructure require Black leadership to ensure our communities aren't left behind and are properly protected, managed, and invested in throughout the U.S. and beyond. Professionals can leverage their backgrounds or interest in public policy, government consulting, economics, anthropology, and advocacy to help create opportunities and special programs to solve these challenges. 4. Sustainability & Climate Resilience Climate change is a major and defining issue of this generation and will be for generations to come. From clean energy to food systems and environmental justice, Black professionals are uniquely positioned to lead sustainability efforts that center community health and generational equity. Professionals with backgrounds in construction, architecture, STEM, government, journalism, and social justice can team up to create firms and agencies that focus solely on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), sustainability management, or green construction projects. 5. Health Equity & Biotech Innovation Black communities need better access, more research, and more innovation when it comes to health and wellness. Whether in health tech, genetics, behavioral health, or telemedicine, there's massive opportunity to close health gaps while building scalable solutions. Professionals with health or medical degrees plus tech or data experience are a goldmine and can play a major role in advancing much needed health programs and services, while helping close disparities in the medical industry. If you're a nurse, community health worker, counselor, or researcher, consider pivoting to roles in health startups, digital health strategy, or biotech communications, or forming partnerships to provide resources to the community and other healthcare professionals and organizations who could benefit from your knowledge and insights. 6. Cybersecurity & Digital Risk Our financial, personal, and national security is increasingly digital, and that comes with a lot of risk. There is an urgent demand for cybersecurity professionals across industries, and not enough diverse talent in the pipeline. These roles offer high pay, job security, and cross-sector relevance. At the same time, emerging Black early stage tech companies need these services, creating an opportunity to both support their growth and strengthen Black tech talent pipelines. Continue to get certified (CompTIA, CISM, CISSP). If you're detail-oriented and analytical, you can pivot into security analysis, risk management, or ethical hacking and build networks across industries and with innovative entrepreneurs. 7. Work Consulting How we are working is changing, and companies need help navigating it. Hybrid teams, accountability strategies, leadership development, organizational structuring, and workforce automation require rethinking everything. Black professionals have held unique positions in corporate, government, HR, operations, and management consulting. While these roles sometimes come with the challenges described by the glass cliff theory, being placed in leadership during uncertain or high-risk situations, this can also be a great opportunity to use previous experiences to help lead this transformation and create lasting impact and frameworks for others. 8. Financial Technology (FinTech) & Inclusive Investing Financial systems are being rewritten, and we are realizing that cultural behaviors, lifestyle patterns, and history all impact how people manage finances, spend money, build wealth, and interact with financial systems and products. Crypto, mobile banking, and AI-powered investing are revolutionizing access to capital. There's a real opportunity to build tools for consumers, entrepreneurs, or to manage impact funds. Overall, getting into FinTech as a Black professional can be a game changer. Roles in product ops, compliance, venture capital, and financial analytics are ideal. A good start can be joining VC, HBCU, and other finance-focused networks and groups that feel aligned to your interests. 9. Global Development & Diaspora Engagement The global Black community is rich in talent, creativity and potential. From cross-border entrepreneurship to diplomatic policy, real estate, tourism, and international trade, Black professionals can help define the next chapter of global collaboration and wealth building. There's also an opportunity to form strong alliances throughout the diaspora based on shared interests, values, and goals. The new economy is about building from the ground up. Black professionals bring history, insight, resilience, and a much-needed fresh perspective and framework to every space. As industries evolve, there is no better time to claim leadership, design solutions, lean into innovation, be experimental, and generate wealth that lasts. There is no better time than now to choose a path that speaks to your purpose.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OpenAI looks to ship 100M AI ‘companion' devices for everyday life, WSJ reports
Sam Altman told his staff that Microsoft (MSFT)-backed OpenAI aims to ship 100M AI 'companion' devices meant for everyday life, and to release the first by late 2026, The Wall Street Journal's Berber Jin reports. The AI device, not a phone or glasses, will be pocket-size, screen-free and contextually aware, Jin writes. Sam Altman and Jony Ive envision a 'family of devices' integrating hardware and software, according to the report. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See today's best-performing stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on MSFT: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Melius Downgrades Marvell Technology Stock (MRVL) Ahead of Q1 Earnings Microsoft Stock (MSFT) Gets a Price Target Hike from Top Analyst as It Goes 'All In on AI' Nvidia Stock (NVDA) Maintains Bullish Tempo as Earnings Day of Reckoning Looms Amazon-Backed Anthropic (AMZN) Introduces Two New AI Models Meta Platforms (META) Tightens Performance Standards Just Months after Huge Layoff Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Verge
13-05-2025
- The Verge
Microsoft reveals its rejected Start menu redesigns
Microsoft is redesigning the Start menu in Windows 11 this month with a new, wider design that finally lets you disable the recommended feed of files and apps. While the new Start menu looks different to what exists in Windows 11 today, this design refresh could have looked a lot different as Microsoft has now revealed in concept images. In a blog post detailing the process of redesigning the Start menu, Microsoft has revealed five concept designs that could have radically overhauled how the menu works in Windows. One includes an even more rounded menu with widget-like functionality, and a separate For You section that lists Teams meetings, YouTube videos, and recently used files. Another concept has the For You section separated at the side, with the main menu focused on categories of apps, and another prototype imagines a landing page as the Start menu, complete with shortcuts, apps, files, and separate sections to access your Android phone, personalized app lists, and creation tools. There's even a start menu concept that appears to take up the entire vertical space of a screen, complete with separated sections that you seem to scroll vertically to access. Image: Microsoft Image: Microsoft 'Whiteboards, Figma frames, floor-to-ceiling paper prototypes—nothing was too scrappy,' says the Windows design team. 'We sketched out a plethora of layouts, letting ourselves go wild and discover new things before applying the editorial pen.' Microsoft tested its various Start menu designs with more than 300 Windows 11 fans and even co-creation calls with select fans. 'We watched eye-tracking heat maps swirl, counted scroll wheels, and listened for 'oh!'s of delight to know where we were hitting the mark,' says the design team. The focus of the new Start menu has been on being able to easily see your apps, customizability, speed, and not overhauling it too much to 'respect three decades of muscle memory.' The result is a new Start menu that's bigger and more customizable than what exists today. Being able to remove the recommended feed will be a welcome addition for many, and the phone companion panel looks like it's fully built into the Start menu to provide quick access to recent calls, messages, and phone files. Microsoft is testing this new Start menu with Windows Insiders over the coming month, so expect to see it show up for all Windows 11 users in the coming months.
Bloomberg
12-05-2025
- Bloomberg
Apple Plans AI-Powered Battery Management Mode for Devices in iOS 19
Apple Inc. is planning to use artificial intelligence technology to address a frequent source of customer frustration: the iPhone's battery life. The company is planning an AI-powered battery management mode for iOS 19, an iPhone software update due in September, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The enhancement will analyze how a person uses their device and make adjustments to conserve energy, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the service hasn't been announced.
