My Experience at CascadiaJS Insights

Although months have passed since CascadiaJS 2024, the ideas and experiences I gained at the conference have stuck with me. Reflecting on the event now feels like the perfect way to revisit and share what I learned. Attending CascadiaJS inspired me not only to write this article but also to give a presentation at work to share key insights. I also got to meet some awesome people. I'm grateful to my company for giving me the opportunity to attend and for supporting my professional growth through events like this.

Sharing the Experience at Work

In December, I presented key insights from CascadiaJS 2024 to my team at work. It was an opportunity to showcase what I learned, from AI engineering to a project built with AI React and beyond.

CascadiaJS 2024 Overview

CascadiaJS 2024 was an unforgettable two-day event held on June 20–21 at Town Hall Seattle, bringing over 20 speakers and countless developers eager to learn and share. From hands-on workshops and thought-provoking talks to lively social events like the welcome reception, opening party, and even a karaoke closing celebration, the conference offered something for everyone. Topics ranged from cutting-edge advancements in AI and web performance to career growth, accessibility, and the future of software engineering. I had the opportunity to attend an insightful pre-conference workshop, AI for React Developers, which set the tone for an engaging and educational experience. There were many great sessions, but here are a few of my favorites.

Highlights and Takeaways

AI for React Developers - Pre-conference workshop
The workshop was held at AWS Skills Center which was a really cool building. They host free cloud training and interactive exhibits.

Built with the AI SDK by Vercel, this workshop focused on equipping developers with tools to build AI-powered apps using frameworks like React, Next.js, Node.js, etc. The AI SDK Core simplifies integration with large language models (LLMs) by standardizing methods, enabling features like text generation/streaming. The AI SDK UI provides hooks like useCompletion to easily build chat interfaces and manage state. This workshop was a great introduction to practical AI development and set the stage for deeper discussions during the conference.

I added my own creative twist to the project’s UI, channeling the voice of Captain Jack Sparrow for a bit of flair (and even threw in a fun GIF to match). Take a look and see how it turned out!

Software 3.0 and the AI Engineering Landscape
Shawn Swyx Wang discussed the rise of AI engineering, driven by foundation models like ChatGPT. Shawn explained how these tools allow faster deployment of AI solutions without needing deep machine learning expertise, emphasizing practical application and integration. He highlighted how accessible APIs are changing the field. He also discussed new opportunities (such as the emergence of the AI Engineer role) and challenges in AI development, making advanced technologies more accessible to developers and businesses. Shawn compared AI Engineers and ML Engineers, referencing Andrej Karpathy's prediction that:

“In numbers, there’s probably going to be significantly more AI Engineers than there are ML engineers / LLM engineers. One can be quite successful in this role without ever training anything.” - Andrej Karpathy

Putting Fun Back Into Coding
Jason Lengstorf’s session was an interesting take on making work more fun and meaningful. Jason shared how embracing challenges, trying new things, and connecting with others can turn tough projects into exciting wins. He also had stories about how playful side projects can spark creativity and build skills, eventually solving real world problems. It was a very inspiring session.

Your AI Needs an Assistant
Josh Goldberg explored the practical applications and limitations of AI in software development. He shared his experience as an open-source maintainer, emphasizing that while AI tools like ChatGPT can assist with code generation, they often lack precision and context. He advocated for leveraging tools, such as linters and type checkers, along with AI to ensure code quality. Ultimately, Josh underscores the complementary role of AI in enhancing productivity when paired with traditional development practices.

Connecting with others

I was fortunate to connect with some amazing people at CascadiaJS, including developers and professionals from all kinds of companies and industries. Here are a few photos from the event, though I do wish I had taken more!

Conclusion

CascadiaJS 2024 was an inspiring event that left me with new tools, ideas, and connections. Presenting these insights at work reminded me of how conferences like this can have a lasting impact, not just on individual attendees but also on their teams and workplaces.

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