Valentin Prugnaud

AI art has been a hot topic in the art world for the past few years, and the debate about whether it can be considered "real" art has been ongoing. Some people believe that AI art is simply the result of algorithms and cannot compare to the creativity and emotion a human artist puts into their work. However, others argue that AI art is a valid form of art, as it requires a certain level of creativity and decision-making by the artist who writes the prompts that generate it.

One of the key arguments in favour of AI art is that it often combines elements of traditional art and technology uniquely. Unlike conventional art, AI art is not limited by the physical abilities of the artist. It can be created on a scale impossible for a human artist to achieve. Additionally, AI art often incorporates elements of randomness, which can result in new and unexpected combinations of colours, shapes, and patterns that would be difficult for human artists to develop on their own.

Another argument favouring AI art is that it often pushes the boundaries of what is considered art in the traditional sense. For example, some AI art is created by algorithms that can generate infinite variations on a single theme, resulting in a never-ending stream of new and unique pieces. This type of art challenges the idea of art as a finite, one-of-a-kind object and opens up new possibilities for what art can be.
The role of the artist in AI art is also an important consideration. While the algorithms used to generate AI art are complex, they are only one part of the equation. The prompts that the artist writes to direct the algorithms are just as essential as they determine the final outcome of the piece. These prompts require a certain level of creativity and decision-making, as the artist must consider what they want the AI to focus on and how they want the final piece to look.

Additionally, the interpretation of AI art is often subjective, and the audience's response to it can vary greatly depending on their individual experiences and perspectives. This is no different from traditional art, where some people may be moved by a piece while others are not. The subjectivity of AI art suggests that it can evoke emotions and inspire thoughts in the same way that traditional art can.

Of course, there are also valid concerns about the role of AI in the art world and the impact it may have on traditional artists. Some people worry that AI art will make human artists obsolete or homogenize the art world and remove the uniqueness that makes art so unique. However, these concerns will likely be overblown, as AI art and traditional art will likely coexist for the foreseeable future.

In conclusion, AI art is a valid form of art that should not be dismissed because it is generated by algorithms. The prompts that artists write to generate AI art require creativity and decision-making, and the resulting pieces can evoke emotions and inspire thoughts in the same way that traditional art can. While there are certainly valid concerns about the impact of AI on the art world, it is clear that AI art is here to stay and has the potential to push the boundaries of what we consider art and open up new possibilities for expression and creativity.

AI Art: Real or Not?

Developer Experience, or DX, is a critical aspect of software development in the modern enterprise. It encompasses the tools, processes, and environment that developers use to build, test, and deploy software. In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the importance of DX and its impact on developer productivity and mental health. In this article, we'll explore why DX matters and what enterprises can do to improve the experience of their developers.

## Why Developer Experience Matters

The development experience has a direct impact on the quality of the software produced and the productivity of the developers themselves. Poor DX can lead to increased frustration, decreased motivation, and lower productivity among developers. On the other hand, a positive DX can lead to higher job satisfaction, increased motivation, and improved productivity.

One of the key benefits of improving developer experience is that it helps to reduce the stress and burnout that can come from working in a fast-paced, complex environment. When developers are given the tools and processes they need to get their work done efficiently, they are more likely to feel in control and less stressed. Additionally, a positive development environment can help to build trust and foster collaboration among team members, which can lead to more effective problem-solving and faster resolution of technical issues.

Another important benefit of improving DX is increased productivity. Developers who are able to work more efficiently are able to focus on high-value tasks and get more done in less time. This, in turn, can help to improve the speed of software delivery and reduce the time-to-market for new features and products. Additionally, by improving the development process and reducing the time and effort required to complete tasks, enterprises can help to reduce the risk of burnout among their developers and increase the long-term sustainability of their development teams.

## Improving Developer Experience

So, how can enterprises improve the developer experience for their teams? There are a number of key steps that they can take, including:

- Invest in the right tools and technologies. This includes not just software development tools, but also other technologies that can help to streamline the development process, such as project management and collaboration tools, version control systems, and testing and deployment tools.
- Foster a positive work environment. This includes creating an inclusive and supportive work environment that values diversity and fosters collaboration. It also includes providing developers with the resources and support they need to be successful, such as mentorship and training programs, flexible work arrangements, and access to mental health resources.
- Encourage a culture of continuous improvement. This includes encouraging developers to share their feedback and ideas for improvement, and to participate in hackathons, code sprints, and other collaborative initiatives that can help to improve the development process.
- Provide clear communication and expectations. This includes establishing clear expectations for development work, such as timelines, deliverables, and project goals, as well as providing regular feedback and recognition to developers.

## Conclusion

In conclusion, the development experience is a critical aspect of software development that has a significant impact on both developer productivity and mental health. By investing in the right tools and technologies, fostering a positive work environment, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement, and providing clear communication and expectations, enterprises can improve the experience of their developers and achieve better outcomes for their development teams and their businesses as a whole.

The Importance of Developer Experience

I was curious about NFTs and decided to go through the process of publishing my own! 

# Step 1: Generate the images
The first step was to generate all of them, I created a script inspired by Hashlips generator, created all the layers with Sketch and run the script to generate the images and the metadata, and decided to host everything on Firebase Hosting.

Check out the generator repository:
[@preview](https://github.com/foxted/Codebits-NFT-Generator)

# Step 2: Mint the NFTs

The next step, was to figure out how to mint every single one of them (the collection contains 625 versions!). For that task, I created a Solidity contract and a small script as well to mint every single one of them using Google ZX. 

Check out the contract and mint script:
[@preview](https://github.com/foxted/Codebits-NFT-Contract)

Since it is a fun project, I'll be giving away all of them, so feel free to reach out on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/codebits_nft) to receive your own random Codebit!

Codebits NFT

> **A quick note on 2020**
> 
> Just like many, 2020 was a complete blur. A global pandemic hit the world that we will all remember. Most of the year went by fast, and I completely forgot to write my review for that year at the beginning of 2021. Thus, this review will thus cover 2020 as well.

What a crazy couple of years, right? Adjustments to work from home full-time, hyper-focus on work, and limited social interactions. Despite this new reality, significant progress and learnings these past two years.

## Highlights
- [Speakbox](https://speakbox.ca) joined the Techstars Boston 2021 promotion!
- I became more comfortable at work with Kubernetes and Openshift.
- I started playing with incredible tools for the future of Speakbox: Hasura, GraphQL, Postgres.
- I published my first NFT, [Codebits](https://opensea.io/collection/codebit), on OpenSea.

## Career

I have been working for almost three years now at Telus, and I am grateful for my team and the progress we make every day. I learned a ton about Google Cloud, Kubernetes and Openshift and got more comfortable taking on more significant projects. 

## Entrepreneurship

[Speakbox](https://speakbox.ca) joined Techstars Boston! I repeat: [Speakbox](https://speakbox.ca) joined Techstars Boston! It's fantastic to be a part of this adventure! It is an incredible opportunity for us, and since the program started in November, the [Speakbox](https://speakbox.ca) team has been more focused and united than ever. I can't wait for 2022 to witness Speakbox reach another level!

On the technical side, we are starting to see the limitations of our No-SQL database. While developing the minimum viable product was convenient with Firestore, it is now beginning to be a blocker to deliver features quickly. Due to the minimal development capacity (I am still the only developer on the team!), we needed a solution that would allow me to focus on the various front-end applications with limited backend requirements. I discovered Hasura this year, which generates a fully functional GraphQL API on top of a Postgres database, allowing direct CRUD capabilities and allowing me to focus on particular business logic components on the backend.
I am looking forward to discovering more about Hasura, GraphQL and Postgres this year!

## Personal
On a personal level, it's pretty much stagnant. 

At the beginning of 2020, I started hitting the gym three times a week, but when March and the pandemic happened, I let the bad habits creep back in, and my trips to the gym became more sporadic. However, I did enjoy working out, geeking out on new strength exercises, and I am looking forward to getting this habit back on track—something to work on in 2022, once the gyms finally re-open again. 

I also experienced a leak in my shower in October this year, forcing me to leave the apartment for a month. However, I was lucky to find friends ready to host me for the month and make the whole experience less stressful. 

On the experimentation side, I decided to try and launch my first NFT on OpenSea. I didn't expect much of it; I wanted to learn more about the blockchain ecosystem. This NFT pays tribute to the beloved Github contribution graph. It contains 625 variations of 2x2 grids, each block representing one of the following levels:
- N: Newbie, barely any contribution
- J: Junior, some contributions
- I: Intermediate, frequent contributions
- S: Senior, regular contributions
- X: 10x, a shout out to the Twitter craze about the "10x developer"

## Shoutouts
- Aidan & Benjamin, we accomplished so much this past year, and I am excited for our future at [Speakbox](https://speakbox.ca).
- My team at Telus. They support my irregular work schedule and are always eager to learn in an inclusive environment. 
- Tom & Heidi for hosting Allison and me for a month!

## Learnings
- Google Cloud: I learned to manage logs better and keep the cost manageable in the process. 
- Hasura & Postgres; I am new to Postgres, I've only worked with MySQL in the past, but I enjoy it quite a bit!
- As a fun experiment, I launched my first NFT on OpenSea: [Codebits](https://opensea.io/collection/codebit). It's still a lot to learn and figure out, but I am glad I finally managed to do it!

## Looking ahead to 2022
Things I am looking forward to in 2022:
- Exciting [Speakbox](https://speakbox.ca) partnerships and growth
- Another trip to Boston with [Speakbox](https://speakbox.ca) in February
- My sister and niece are visiting me in Vancouver in the spring.
- Hopefully, the gyms will re-open, and I will resume my program.
- My Canadian citizenship should finally reach the final step; 2022 should be the year I become a Canadian citizen!

Come on, 2022, bring it!

Software engineer, founder
& amateur musician.

AI Art: Real or Not?

The Importance of Developer Experience

Codebits NFT

2021: Year in Review

Work

Software engineer, founder& amateur musician.

AI Art: Real or Not?

The Importance of Developer Experience

Codebits NFT

2021: Year in Review

Work

Software engineer, founder
& amateur musician.