Latest news with #Cursor
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Palo Alto Networks is focusing on just a few big gen AI bets
To help figure out how AI will make its workers more productive, cybersecurity provider Palo Alto Networks polled every one of its departments for its best ideas. But when choosing which suggestions to pursue, Palo Alto wanted to invest only in those that provided the biggest financial bang for the buck. 'We went after four use cases,' says Meerah Rajavel, Palo Alto Networks' chief information officer. Those four included an AI agent called Panda AI that gives automated responses to employees who submit questions related to the IT, HR, and finance departments. There's also an AI code generation tool for engineers, AI tools for customer support specialists, and another AI tool for customers needing help resolving problems they're having with Palo Alto's products. Rajavel's approach to AI led to some changed expectations within the company as the technology evolved over the past few years. For example, soon after OpenAI's AI chatbot ChatGPT debuted in 2022, Rajavel heard from her boss, CEO Nikesh Arora, who said he wanted up to 90% of the 480,000 employee requests submitted annually to be resolved using generative AI. Those worker inquiries span questions about health benefits, changing login passwords, and approval to buy new software from an outside vendor. But Palo Alto did some research and determined that AI could only solve 18% of those issues by summarizing information, the task that large language models are best at. 'This is about someone asking for an action that needs to be done,' says Rajavel, referring to what most employees are seeking with their questions. 'It has to complete the task. It cannot just guide the task.' That led Palo Alto to create Panda, which now fields many employee requests. Today, close to 60% of Palo Alto's employee-generated tickets are autonomously handled by Panda, and Rajavel says over time, this figure could rise to as high as 80%. Thanks to the help AI provides, the company has ditched a phone line, a dedicated Slack channel, and online portal that employees previously used to submit requests. Now, all employees are first routed to the AI agent. In cases in which an issue can't be solved by AI, a ticket is sent to a human agent to tackle. So where does the cost savings come in? Human agents from outside companies handled many of those ticket requests, and with generative AI, Palo Alto can now spend less on those services. Meanwhile, Palo Alto has reskilled some of its internal support agents to focus more on ensuring that LLMs are trained on the correct data and to validate the accuracy of what the AI spits out. Another big AI use case for Palo Alto is writing software code. The company's 6,000 engineers are using AI for code generation today, but Rajavel says that her concerns about protecting Palo Alto's intellectual property mean she hasn't authorized popular coding tools like GitHub and Cursor. 'We are not going to allow anybody to use a third party,' says Rajavel. Instead, Palo Alto trains its own Claude models, hosted on Google Cloud's Vertex AI platform, to write code. In addition to focusing on generative AI, Rajavel says she dedicates 20% of her time talking with customer CIOs, chief information security officers, and other C-suite executives. One Palo Alto offering that frequently comes up in those conversations is its AI Access Security tools, which organizations can use to identify which generative AI apps are being used on their network. Rajavel should know what CIOs want to discuss with vendors. Rajavel has held the CIO title four times during her career, most recently at Palo Alto and previously, at three other technology companies: Citrix, Forcepoint, and Qlik. Yet another area of focus of hers is integrating Palo Alto's many acquisitions. Since joining in April 2022, the company has spent $500 million to buy IBM's QRadar software-as-a-service assets; a reported $625 million on Talon Cyber Security, a builder of a secure enterprise browser for remote workers; and a reported $400 million for data security platform Dig Security, which discovers, classifies, and then protects sensitive data. With the QRadar deal, Palo Alto was able to move customers to its operations platform, Cortex XSIAM. Meanwhile, Talon and Dig's services were quickly integrated into the company's existing ecosystem. Rajavel says acquired technologies are merged within 90 days of a deal closing. When Palo Alto scoops up smaller companies, Rajavel says one danger is that their tools aren't ready to be used by hundreds of thousands of customers. As a precaution, Palo Alto tries out their tools internally, as a test, before making them more available to customers. 'The very first person who is going to implement the technology is us,' says Rajavel. John Kell Send thoughts or suggestions to CIO Intelligence here. This story was originally featured on
Geeky Gadgets
2 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
How Vibe Versioning is Transforming UI Design Forever : Cursor 10x faster
What if you could iterate your UI designs at lightning speed—experimenting with bold ideas, testing new elements, and refining your work without the usual headaches of version control? Enter Vibe Versioning, a innovative approach that promises to make UI iteration not just faster, but smarter. Traditional version control systems like Git, while powerful, often feel clunky and overly complex for design-centric workflows. But with the rise of AI-powered tools like Cursor and the Yoyo plugin, developers are reclaiming their creative flow. Imagine effortlessly toggling between snapshots of your designs, rolling back changes in seconds, and collaborating seamlessly—all without breaking your stride. This isn't just an evolution; it's a revolution in how we approach UI development. In this breakdown, AI Jason explores how AI-driven versioning systems are reshaping the design process, making it more intuitive, efficient, and inspiring. You'll discover how tools like Yoyo simplify experimentation, why snapshot-based workflows are a fantastic option, and how integrating innovative trends can elevate your UI to new heights. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, this approach offers a fresh perspective on balancing creativity with structure. By the end, you might just rethink how you manage your design iterations—and wonder how you ever worked without these tools. AI-Powered UI Versioning How AI Simplifies UI Iteration The Yoyo plugin, an open source tool designed for Cursor, provides a lightweight and efficient alternative to traditional version control systems like Git. It simplifies the process of creating, saving, and comparing multiple UI versions. Through snapshot-based versioning, you can: Quickly revert to previous iterations without disrupting your workflow. Experiment with new designs in a controlled and organized environment. Maintain a detailed history of changes for improved project tracking and accountability. This approach is particularly beneficial for UI developers who need to iterate rapidly and test various design concepts without the overhead of complex version management systems. By focusing on simplicity and usability, tools like Yoyo empower developers to prioritize creativity and efficiency. Enhancing the Design Process Creating effective user interfaces requires a balance of inspiration and structure. Platforms such as Dribbble and Mobbin offer a wealth of design systems, styles, fonts, and components that can serve as valuable resources. By analyzing these platforms, you can identify emerging trends and incorporate innovative elements into your projects. Additionally, building mock UIs with mock data allows you to: Translate abstract ideas into tangible visual representations. Refine designs before committing to a final version, reducing costly revisions later. Test usability and functionality early, making sure a user-centered approach. This combination of inspiration and structured prototyping fosters a more efficient and creative design workflow, allowing you to deliver polished and user-friendly interfaces. Vibe Versioning Watch this video on YouTube. Take a look at other insightful guides from our broad collection that might capture your interest in AI coding. Core Features of AI-Driven Version Control AI-powered version control systems introduce a range of features that simplify UI development and maintenance. These tools are designed to address the unique challenges of design-centric workflows. Key capabilities include: Snapshot creation for different UI versions, allowing quick comparisons and seamless rollbacks. for different UI versions, allowing quick comparisons and seamless rollbacks. Custom annotations and notes for each version, improving collaboration and documentation. Streamlined navigation between versions, allowing you to track changes and monitor progress effortlessly. These features not only enhance productivity but also reduce the complexity of managing multiple design iterations. By automating repetitive tasks and providing intuitive tools, AI-driven systems allow you to focus on creativity and innovation. Exploring Advanced Design Styles Modern UI design often involves experimenting with advanced styles and components to optimize user experience. By iterating on specific elements and incorporating innovative trends, you can elevate your designs. For example, you can: Refine usability by iterating on individual components, such as buttons, cards, or navigation menus. Toggle between light and dark modes to cater to diverse user preferences and accessibility needs. Incorporate innovative trends, such as Apple's liquid glass effect, to create visually striking interfaces. AI tools enhance this process by offering intelligent suggestions, automating repetitive tasks, and allowing you to focus on the creative aspects of design. This synergy between AI and design experimentation ensures that your projects remain both functional and visually appealing. Addressing Challenges in AI Coding Workflows While AI-driven coding environments offer significant advantages, they also present unique challenges. Managing parallel agents, resolving merge conflicts, and maintaining code integrity are common hurdles. Lightweight alternatives like the Yoyo plugin address these issues by: Reducing the complexity of version control for UI developers, making it more accessible and intuitive. Focusing on the specific needs of design-centric workflows, making sure tools align with creative processes. Streamlining collaboration across teams and tools, fostering a more cohesive development environment. These solutions minimize disruptions and ensure smoother workflows, allowing you to focus on delivering high-quality designs without being bogged down by technical challenges. The Future of AI Versioning Infrastructure The integration of AI into version control systems is transforming how developers approach UI iteration. As these tools continue to evolve, they are expected to address broader challenges and unlock new possibilities. Future advancements may include: Automating merge conflict resolution to assist faster and more efficient collaboration. to assist faster and more efficient collaboration. Optimizing workflows for managing parallel agents, making sure seamless integration across teams. Enhancing accessibility and usability, making AI-driven tools more inclusive for developers of all skill levels. These developments have the potential to redefine software development standards, making the process more efficient, intuitive, and accessible. By embracing these innovations, developers can focus on creativity and problem-solving, driving the industry forward. Media Credit: AI Jason Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
OpenAI's former head of research said vibe coding isn't going to make engineering jobs obsolete — for now
AI is not going to replace human software engineers just yet, says OpenAI's former research chief. Bob McGrew, who left OpenAI last year, said product managers can vibe code "really cool prototypes." But engineers still have to build the products in case they need to troubleshoot it, he said. McGrew, who left OpenAI in November, said on the latest episode of Sequoia Capital's "Training Data" podcast that product managers can make "really cool prototypes" with vibe coding. But human engineers will still be brought in to "rewrite it from scratch." "If you are given a code base that you don't understand — this is a classic software engineering question — is that a liability or is it an asset? Right? And the classic answer is that it's a liability," McGrew said of software made with vibe coding. "You have to maintain this thing. You don't know how it works, no one knows how it works. That's terrible," he continued. McGrew said that in the next one or two years, coding will be done by a mix of human engineers working with AI tools like Cursor and AI agents like Devin working in the background. He added that while the liability that comes with using agents to code has gone down, it is "still, net, a liability." Human engineers are needed to design and "understand the code base at a high level," McGrew said. This is so that when something goes wrong or if a project "becomes too complicated for AI to understand," a human engineer can help break the problem down into parts for an AI to solve. McGrew did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. The rise of AI has spurred fears of companies replacing their software engineers with AI. In October, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, said on an earnings call that the search giant was using AI to write more than 25% of its new code. Garry Tan, the president and CEO of Y Combinator, said in March that a quarter of the founders in the startup incubator's 2025 winter batch used AI to code their software. "For 25% of the Winter 2025 batch, 95% of lines of code are LLM generated. That's not a typo," Tan wrote in an X post. On Tuesday, Andy Jassy, the CEO of Amazon, said in a memo to employees that AI will " reduce our total corporate workforce" and provide "efficiency gains."
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
OpenAI's former head of research said vibe coding isn't going to make engineering jobs obsolete — for now
Bob McGrew, the former chief research officer at OpenAI, said professional software engineers are not going to lose their jobs to vibe coding just yet. McGrew, who left OpenAI in November, said on the latest episode of Sequoia Capital's "Training Data" podcast that product managers can make "really cool prototypes" with vibe coding. But human engineers will still be brought in to "rewrite it from scratch." "If you are given a code base that you don't understand — this is a classic software engineering question — is that a liability or is it an asset? Right? And the classic answer is that it's a liability," McGrew said of software made with vibe coding. "You have to maintain this thing. You don't know how it works, no one knows how it works. That's terrible," he continued. McGrew said that in the next one or two years, coding will be done by a mix of human engineers working with AI tools like Cursor and AI agents like Devin working in the background. He added that while the liability that comes with using agents to code has gone down, it is "still, net, a liability." Human engineers are needed to design and "understand the code base at a high level," McGrew said. This is so that when something goes wrong or if a project "becomes too complicated for AI to understand," a human engineer can help break the problem down into parts for an AI to solve. McGrew did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. The rise of AI has spurred fears of companies replacing their software engineers with AI. In October, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, said on an earnings call that the search giant was using AI to write more than 25% of its new code. Garry Tan, the president and CEO of Y Combinator, said in March that a quarter of the founders in the startup incubator's 2025 winter batch used AI to code their software. "For 25% of the Winter 2025 batch, 95% of lines of code are LLM generated. That's not a typo," Tan wrote in an X post. On Tuesday, Andy Jassy, the CEO of Amazon, said in a memo to employees that AI will " reduce our total corporate workforce" and provide "efficiency gains." "We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs," Jassy said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AI Startup Anysphere Fields VC Offers at Over $18 Billion Valuation
(Bloomberg) -- Anysphere Inc., the developer of the popular artificial intelligence code editor Cursor, has had talks with investors about a deal that would double its valuation in a new funding round, according to a person familiar with the matter. Security Concerns Hit Some of the World's 'Most Livable Cities' As Part of a $45 Billion Push, ICE Prepares for a Vast Expansion of Detention Space How E-Scooters Conquered (Most of) Europe Taser-Maker Axon Triggers a NIMBY Backlash in its Hometown JFK AirTrain Cuts Fares 50% This Summer to Lure Riders Off Roads Investors have approached the company in recent weeks about a funding deal that would value the startup at $18 billion to $20 billion, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The talks arrive shortly after the startup, which launched in 2023, surpassed $500 million in annualized revenue. The company didn't initiate the conversations, the person said, and may decide not to raise money at this time. The company declined to comment on the talks. 'We're not focused on fundraising and have lots to do on building the technology, product and team,' Chief Executive Officer Michael Truell said in a message to Bloomberg. While the startup isn't in need of cash, given the favorable terms, it could choose to add more capital to its balance sheet. Earlier this month, Anysphere said it raised $900 million at a valuation of $9.9 billion, including the new investment, in a round led by Thrive Capital. Andreessen Horowitz, Accel and DST Global also participated. Following that deal, Silicon Valley investors are eager to put more capital into what they say is the fastest-growing startup of all time in terms of revenue. The company's annualized sales have exploded in recent months as Cursor has added more enterprise users. Companies like OpenAI, Spotify Technology SA, Major League Baseball and Instacart are all users of Cursor, which analyzes a programmer's actions and suggests lines of code. The tools make it easier for people without technical expertise to create computer programs, a trend sometimes called vibe coding, as well as making regular software developers more efficient. Earlier this month, Truell told Bloomberg that more than half of Fortune 500 companies use Cursor, and more than 1 million people use the service every day. Still, the startup faces fierce competition, including from GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisperer. One of its biggest competitors, Windsurf, has agreed to sell to OpenAI for $3 billion, Bloomberg reported, although the deal has yet to be finalized. --With assistance from Rachel Metz. (Updates with CEO comment in the fourth paragraph.) Ken Griffin on Trump, Harvard and Why Novice Investors Won't Beat the Pros How a Tiny Middleman Could Access Two-Factor Login Codes From Tech Giants American Mid: Hampton Inn's Good-Enough Formula for World Domination Mark Cuban Has Done Sports, Reality TV and Now Health Care. Why Not US President? The Spying Scandal Rocking the World of HR Software ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
