Hanselminutes with Scott Hanselman

Breaking Barriers in Tech with Brenda Darden WilkersonIn this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman chats with Brenda Darden Wilkerson, the President and CEO of AnitaB.org, about her journey in technology and advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry. Brenda shares her inspiring story of entering computer science by accident, overcoming societal perceptions, and her impactful work advancing tech education in Chicago Public Schools. Together, Scott and Brenda explore pivotal topics such as access to technology, unconscious bias, the transformative power of exposure, and the role of AI in the modern era. They also discuss the significance of the Grace Hopper Celebration and its global influence on women technologists. Key Topics with TimestampsBrenda’s Journey into Tech • (00:49) • How Brenda accidentally discovered computer science and the systemic barriers she overcame. Access, Exposure, and Opportunity • (02:55) • The impact of access and exposure in shaping careers and creating pathways for innovation. Breaking Gender Norms in STEM • (06:40) • The historical assumptions around computers being "for boys" and dispelling these myths. The Role of Luck and Preparedness • (08:19) • How preparedness and access create opportunities for success in technology. AI’s Impact on Creativity and Knowledge • (10:35) • Brenda’s perspective on AI as a tool, not a replacement for human ingenuity. Diversity in Tech and Creating Curricula • (14:11) • Encouraging creativity, diverse backgrounds, and inclusive thinking in tech education. The Ripple Effect of Representation • (19:29) • Representation’s impact on individuals and their broader communities. Grace Hopper Celebration: Breaking Myths and Building Networks • (21:33) • How the conference fosters inclusivity and dispels misconceptions in tech spaces. Community and Collaboration Beyond Events • (28:03) • The power of year-round networks and online platforms for fostering innovation and connection. Main TakeawaysAccess and exposure are key catalysts for innovation. 1. Brenda’s journey highlights how transformative opportunities spark enduring passion and remarkable careers. Representation dispels myths. 2. The Grace Hopper Celebration is a powerful example of visibility's impact on inspiring and sustaining individuals in tech. Diverse perspectives lead to impactful solutions. 3. We need cross-disciplinary individuals who bring unique expertise and creativity to solve complex problems. AI should complement human creativity, not replace it. 4. Maintaining foundational knowledge and critical thinking is essential in the age of AI. Building inclusive systems helps everyone succeed. 5. Systemic change, such as inclusive curricula and diverse pipelines, is essential for sustainable equity in tech. Notable Quotes “The assumption was that computers were for boys. That creates the myths we have to dispel.” – Brenda Darden Wilkerson “Luck is being prepared plus opportunity. How can we create luck for others?” – Scott Hanselman “If you don’t take time to research reality, you perpetuate the images presented to you.” – Brenda Darden Wilkerson “The highest and best use of tech is at service of people.” – Brenda Darden Wilkerson “More than one thing can be true at the same time.” – Brenda Darden Wilkerson Resources MentionedAnitaB.org • (Organization advancing women in tech): AnitaB.orgGrace Hopper Celebration • (Women in tech conference): GHC.AnitaB.org • TED Talk: Sir Ken Robinson – Do Schools Kill Creativity? • Grace Hopper Celebration Dates: November 4-7: • Chicago, U.S. December 2-4: • Bangalore, India Call to Action Interested in advancing diversity in tech or making connections with like-minded individuals? • Join the AnitaB.org membership community • for discussions, resources, and collaboration opportunities. • Check out the upcoming Grace Hopper Celebration in person or engage with their network online. These show notes were automatically generated based on the podcast transcript.

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APIs as the Execution Layer of AI with Postman's Rodric RabbahIn this episode of Hanselminutes, Scott Hanselman chats with Roderick Rabah, Head of Product at Postman Flows, about the evolution of software development, the intersection of APIs and AI, and finding the "right layer of abstraction" for problem-solving. Drawing on his deep expertise in compiler optimization, distributed systems, and serverless computing, Rabah shares his perspectives on building tools that empower developers to create efficiently and explores the paradigm shift toward visual programming and AI-driven automation. The conversation dives into how Postman is innovating in the software space, how approaches to software engineering are transforming with generative AI, and why embracing new ways of working is critical for staying ahead in this rapidly evolving technological landscape. Key Topics • [01:08] Introduction of Roderick Rabah: From research scientist to API innovator • [02:14] Evolution of software development: From FPGAs to serverless computing • [03:23] APIs and AI: The transformative intersection powering workflows • [05:33] The rise of tool-calling and agents: Simplifying backend tasks • [07:33] Managing complexity: Why structured APIs make integration seamless • [12:08] Visual programming languages: The paradigm shift for developers • [16:42] Postman Flows: Building applications through visual workflows • [20:24] Embracing generative AI: How senior and junior engineers benefit • [29:02] Deploying with WebAssembly: Making cloud integration accessible • [30:33] Reflections on the future of technology and its impact on software careers Main TakeawaysAPI + AI Integration: 1. APIs combined with large language models are unlocking new capabilities for software development by abstracting complex operations and enabling automation. Visual Programming Paradigm Shift: 2. Applications are increasingly built using visual workflows where developers focus on intent rather than low-level code implementation, driving efficiency and accessibility. Generative AI Empowerment: 3. Generative AI tools are accelerating the pace of innovation, empowering engineers to fix bugs, streamline workflows, and manage edge cases efficiently. Structured APIs Critical for AI: 4. Thoughtfully designed APIs with proper documentation and safeguards are essential to ensure that autonomous AI agents interact correctly and securely. Accessible Deployment: 5. New runtime frameworks, like serverless with WebAssembly, make it easier for developers to deploy applications across the cloud, enabling broader adoption of AI-driven solutions. Notable Quotes "Serverless is where you think about servers less." – Scott Hanselman "At what point does communicating your intent to AI become programming again?" – Roderick Rabah "Visual programming resonates with builders because it matches the mental model of decomposing problems." – Roderick Rabah "Technology transforms rapidly. You have to figure out how to wield this immense power." – Roderick Rabah "Don’t throw away your critical thinking just because AI makes building faster." – Roderick Rabah Resources MentionedPostman Flows • – Tools for visual programming and API integrations: postman.comReplit • – Generative coding platform for automating development tasks: replit.comWebAssembly • – Runtime framework for deploying serverless applications: webassembly.orgBooks on Compiler Theory: • Suggested resource for expanding understanding of abstractions Follow along for more insights, tips, and conversations with industry leaders. These show notes summarize key moments in the podcast for easy reference and understanding - these show notes were generated by a custom gpt-4o-nano model trained in previous episodes of Hanselminutes

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