What Are AI Agents
“AI agents are software systems that use artificial intelligence to pursue goals and complete tasks on behalf of users, often by making decisions and taking actions autonomously” - Google AI Search Slop
Ok, technically, the above definition is ‘correct.’ However, the term ‘AI agent’ is used differently among the cool kids.
Since the emergence of ChatGPT, an entirely new linguistic landscape has emerged. The field has introduced novel terminology including prompt engineers, AI agents, and vibe coding(Coding with an AI agent). To better understand these concepts, let's examine some of the most prominent 'AI agents' in use today.
Replit AI
Use natural language and chat to the agent to make apps and sites. No-coding required.
Tell Replit Agent your app or website idea, and it will build it for you automatically. It’s like having an entire team of software engineers on demand, ready to build what you need — all through a simple chat.
Bolt AI
Prompt, run, edit, and deploy full-stack web and mobile apps using natural language.
Using a simple, chat-based environment you can prompt the AI agent to build whatever you want.
Bolt supports many of the most popular web languages and frameworks, as well as integration with Netlify for deployment and hosting; Supabase for database, auth, and file storage.
Using plain English…everyday language you can build a website or app. Just like that. Take a look.
Cursor
Cursor is an AI code editor with a built in agent. Once again, you can chat with the agent and get it to complete tasks for you. “Install Tailwind CSS.” Done. “Create a For Loop that loops over this array.” Sorted.
Curious? Take a look
You describe it and the AI agent will build it. What’s not to love.
Now I’m no luddite, but there is a huge caveat to all this. We need to address the🐘in the room.
The hype behind these AI agents has been alarming. We have people with no coding experience, vibe coding their way to building their first app. Building without tests and building without structure or thought. Just chatting with the AI agent and hoping something materialises.
There will be websites and apps released and out in the wild for unsuspecting people to buy and use.
Lots of people are claiming that learning to code is now a waste of time and money. Some are even saying that it’s only a matter of time before most web developers and software engineers are all made redundant.
There was a lot of gleeful chatter at the prospect of highly paid software engineers losing their jobs to someone with a £20 AI agent subscription.
However, LOL. This is wrong. You still need to know how to code. These agents are a tool, and you get the most out of them, if you know how to code.
Computational thinking, learning to code are still very profitable and valuable skills worth acquiring.
Here are a few Vibe Coders finding out the hard way, what happens when you try and cut corners.
What Can Go Wrong
Quiz Time
A vibe coder posted this in a user forum, asking for help. Hands up if you can see what’s wrong here🙋🏿♂️🙋🏾♀️🙋🏽🙋🏼♂️🙋🏻♀️🙋 There are two things that made me scream. Can you see them?
The future is very bright for those who are pursuing careers in programming or data. So keep coding.
passwords.csv 🤣