It should be no surprise that AI was a premier topic on the main stage at Compose 2024. With three separate talks narrowing their focus on how to build, innovate, and collaborate with AI, it made sense that we recap here what was discussed.
If you prefer to jump to any of the talks that seem most relevant to you, here are the recordings:
- Beyond code generation: Where design systems can go next in the age of AI
- Security considerations for AI web developers
- AI-powered synergy: Sourcegraph & Netlify revolutionize web development and content collaboration
Besides these talks, we announced Netlify’s AI-Assisted Publishing feature, but more on that later.
The impact of AI on design systems
When it comes to design systems, designers often find themselves stuck in a repetitive design cycle. Take a simple CTA button, for example. Designers will create all the variations required, like color variations or one with a drop-down, only to be asked to completely overhaul their work at the drop of a dime.
This is contrary to the fundamental purpose of design systems: Enhancing the quality and speed of product development.
“Design systems aren’t just about UI and documentation. Design systems empower change in your culture.” -Gina Anne, Principal Product Designer, Microsoft
Much like design systems empower change in how we work, so does AI. But you have to think of it as a collaborator—like a partner to help you get your work done. Or else, you may leave room to fear it:
In the clip above, Gina discusses the many ways AI helps people speed up their work and reduce tedious tasks, but they go on to express that at this point, that’s merely table stakes. So when it comes to creative ways of using AI, you have to move beyond the mundane:
All in all, whether you’re building design systems, developing code, or crafting personalized shopping experiences, you need to ask more of AI. Sure, it’s great for helping you speed up your work, but if that’s all you’re using it for, then you may not be getting the most out of it.
Security considerations for AI web developers
In their talk, Shreya Gupta, Developer Advocate at Auth0 by Okta, details security considerations for AI web developers, including:
- Productivity versus risk in AI development
- Security and risk prevention measures
- Understanding code ownership
- Double-checking AI tools
- Data moderation, monitoring, and exposure
While we won’t unpack it all here, one thing that stood out in their presentation was how large enterprises and smaller companies have to approach AI differently.
Security vulnerabilities using AI are vastly different depending on the size of your organization. That’s because the balance between risk and productivity varies considerably based on organizational structure.
”Growth-oriented startups may prioritize speed and risk-taking, whereas enterprise companies typically adopt a more conservative approach.” -Shreya Gupta, Developer Advocate at Auth0 by Okta
This lens of company size and risk-taking was carried through Shreya’s presentation, but something we’d like to highlight is their section around code ownership and duplication:
When it comes to copyright concerns, you really have to ask yourself how much risk you’re willing to take if you’re not in the financial position to have privacy agreements with these models.
After all, if AI writes the code, does AI own the code?
Simplifying content creation and collaboration with AI
The Sourcegraph team did something most never dare to do on stage: They held a live demo. Often the demise of many, Ado Kukic, Director of Developer Relations at Sourcegraph walked us through using Cody, Sourcegraph’s AI coding assistant to build a changelog page from scratch that’s fully editable in Netlify’s Visual Editor.
Rather than explain it here, see it for yourself.
Get started with AI on Netlify
If you haven’t already checked out our new AI-Assisted Publishing feature or signed up for our private beta, what are you waiting for?
Beyond this, we also have other AI features and guides to help you with code validation and getting started with AI on Netlify:
Happy coding!
