Microsoft's focus at its BUILD conference was heavily centered around artificial intelligence, with AI being the prominent theme throughout the event.
Copilot by Microsoft serves as a 'peer programmer' tool, designed to enhance developers' productivity without replacing them.
Microsoft showcased Copilot in action, demonstrating tasks like opening pull requests, taking feedback, and code reviews for simple projects.
While some companies are cautious about jumping on the AI hype train, Microsoft continues to position itself as a key developer platform with offerings like GitHub and Azure.
Microsoft's goal is to foster collaboration between developers and AI tools, rather than fully automated replacements for human engineers.
The use of AI agents like Copilot integrates into multiple stages of development, from planning to deployment, reducing mundane tasks for developers.
Microsoft is transparently testing Copilot in real-world scenarios, such as with the complex .NET codebase, showcasing its capabilities and shortcomings openly.
The shift towards AI in developer tools aims to enhance productivity and efficiency, although potential limitations and challenges remain acknowledged.
Microsoft emphasizes the importance of developers trusting and overseeing AI agents like Copilot, maintaining responsibility for code quality and outcomes.
While demonstrating AI applications, Microsoft highlights the need for realism and practicality in integrating AI tools within developer workflows.