Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend GitHub Universe in San Francisco, and what an experience it was! This blog post will share some key insights and highlights from the event. There’s so much to cover. I’ll only scratch the surface. 🙂
GitHub Universe
In 2024, it would not be a conference if AI was not mentioned – right?
AI is really part (or should be..) of every developers workflow, even maturing to many organisations using AI to build AI, how cool is that?
AI has become an integral part of every developers workflow and overall software development landscape, as GitHub Universe certainly reflected this trend!
With over 77,000 customers now using GitHub Copilot, many of my highlights revolve around AI-powered development tools and features.
My Highlights and Key Takeaways
1. GitHub Spark
An AI-powered tool for building and sharing customisable micro applications (“sparks”), that can be somewhat tailored to your exact needs and preferences.
This tool opens up new possibilities for rapid prototyping and idea validation. Without needing to write or deploy any code.
2. GitHub Copilot code review
GitHub’s Copilot code review on GitHub.com provides rapid AI-powered feedback. This feature provides quick feedback, allowing developers to refine their work even before human reviews come in. It includes potential one-click code fixes and integrates with repository rules.
3. GitHub Models now available in Public Preview
Every GitHub developer can now explore some of the best AI models available. They have access through a hands-on playground, API, and more.
4. Claude 3.5 Sonnet is now available in public preview
It was announced that Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro, and OpenAI’s o1-preview and o1-mini are coming to GitHub Copilot – bringing a new level of choice to every developer.
5. Multi-file code editing in VS Code with GitHub Copilot
Multi-file editing is now in preview, and it’s a game-changer! You can start an AI-powered session with GitHub Copilot. It will suggest edits across multiple files in your workspace all at once. Changes show up directly in your editor, so you can review them with full context.
6. GitHub Copilot Extensions in GitHub Mobile now in public preview
How cool, CoPilot extensions from your mobile app 🙂
7. GitHub Copilot custom instructions
The newly introduced .github/copilot-instructions.md file lets you document code-specific conventions for GitHub Copilot in your workspace or repository.
8. General availability of GitHub Enterprise Cloud with data residency in the EU
GitHub Enterprise Cloud with data residency in the EU is now generally available, addressing data sovereignty concerns for European users.
9. Copilot Edits
With Copilot Edits, you can kick off an AI-powered session. You make code changes just by using natural language prompts. It proposes edits across multiple files in your workspace. The edits are applied directly in your editor. This way you can review everything in context.
Copilot Edits is perfect for big changes across multiple files. It combines the conversational ease of Copilot Chat with fast, in-line suggestions. This allows for a smooth, multi-turn chat on the side. You can refine your code in real time.
10. GitHub Copilot for Azure
GitHub Copilot for Azure is the @azure extension.
You can ask @azure questions about Azure services. You can also get help with tasks related to Azure. This all happens within Visual Studio Code.
Whether you’re tackling complex questions about Azure services or need guidance on specific Azure-related tasks, this extension will support you.
GitHub Stars
I am proud to be part of the GitHub stars program. This program provided an opportunity to meet a number of them in person for the first time. That alone was a fantastic experience! While we often communicate online, nothing compares to connecting face-to-face.
The GitHub Stars program offers impactful developers an opportunity to showcase their work, reach more people, and shape the future of GitHub.
https://stars.github.com/
Additionally, GitHub provided us with a dedicated Stars lounge where we spent a lot of time engaging with each other and meeting other attendees. It was a wonderful space for collaboration and conversation!
How cool is this though? My name on a star at GitHub Universe!!
Octoverse 2024
In some sessions, speakers made references from the Octoverse 2024 report. I thought I’d include some in this blog post.
In this year’s Octoverse report, we study how public and open source activity on GitHub shows how AI is expanding as the global developer community surges in size.
https://github.blog/news-insights/octoverse/octoverse-2024/
Quoting directly from the report – Remember when people said AI would replace developers? “Our data tells a different story”, I love this!
Lets kick-off with the screenshot below, just look at them figures… wow!
Rather than me reciting more from the report, certainly check it out, its a great read. To finish, is AI here to stay? I do think so and seeing this trend from the report, with 98% increase year-over-year growth from 2023 to 2024:
Rounding up
GitHub Universe 2024 clearly demonstrated that AI is here to stay and is rapidly transforming the software development landscape. The event showcased how AI tools are empowering developers to be more productive, creative, and efficient. As we progress, it’s clear that embracing these AI-powered tools will be crucial for staying at the forefront of software development.
If you couldn’t attend, I highly recommend checking out the full Octoverse 2024 report. It offers more insights into these exciting trends. The future of development is here, and it’s more intelligent and collaborative than ever before!
Special thanks also goes to GitHub for supporting me to attend GitHub Universe!
GitHub Universe 2024 watch on demand
GitHub Universe 2024 – Previews and releases
I will finish with the below image from a presentation at GitHub Universe. “There is no single way to be a developer today.” It’s very true. Enjoy your journey!
