How AI Can Help You Turn an Idea Into the Next Great App | Amjad Masad | TED
TED
10 min, 8 sec
The speaker narrates their journey from a child fascinated by computers to an entrepreneur harnessing AI to democratize software creation, aiming to empower a billion software creators.
Summary
- The speaker shares early memories of being intrigued by a computer set up by their engineer father in Jordan, predicting its transformative potential.
- This fascination leads to experimenting with video games and eventually, the desire to create them, sparking a passion for bringing ideas to reality.
- As a teenager, the speaker grapples with the complexities of coding and sharing creations online, leading to the development of the world's first online programming sandbox.
- The speaker's vision for their company, Repl.it, is to enable anyone to quickly turn an idea into software, leveraging large language models to translate thoughts into code.
- The speaker envisions a future where AI assists not just in coding but in project management, potentially leading to a 'fortune 5 million' era of empowered individual creators.
Chapter 1
![The speaker reminisces about their early childhood in Jordan, where witnessing their father set up a computer sparked a lifelong interest in technology.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMTQsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--54f67526c7661fe03266fc9ee985b9f4e4fcaca9/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_17.jpg)
The speaker reminisces about their early childhood in Jordan, where witnessing their father set up a computer sparked a lifelong interest in technology.
- The speaker recalls watching their father, a government engineer, set up a new computer and being mesmerized by its capabilities.
- Despite the family not being able to afford the computer, their father believed in its transformational impact on the future and their lives.
![The speaker reminisces about their early childhood in Jordan, where witnessing their father set up a computer sparked a lifelong interest in technology.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMTQsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--54f67526c7661fe03266fc9ee985b9f4e4fcaca9/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_17.jpg)
Chapter 2
![The speaker's initial interaction with computers through video games evolved into a deeper interest in creating software.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMTYsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--af97b94aa4739e4e610a80d9d8beeeac7904b9aa/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_44.jpg)
The speaker's initial interaction with computers through video games evolved into a deeper interest in creating software.
- The speaker started with playing video games but soon wondered about creating their own games.
- This curiosity about making ideas a reality led to a profound interest in software development.
![The speaker's initial interaction with computers through video games evolved into a deeper interest in creating software.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMTYsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--af97b94aa4739e4e610a80d9d8beeeac7904b9aa/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_44.jpg)
Chapter 3
![During their teenage years, the speaker faced challenges in learning to code and sharing work online, prompting them to build a solution.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMTgsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--57cfa39e1742c870f808df376cea495e8ceabdaf/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_79.jpg)
During their teenage years, the speaker faced challenges in learning to code and sharing work online, prompting them to build a solution.
- The arrival of the internet fueled the speaker's business ideas, but they struggled with starting points and questions about programming languages and distribution.
- This led to the creation of the first online programming sandbox supporting multiple languages.
![During their teenage years, the speaker faced challenges in learning to code and sharing work online, prompting them to build a solution.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMTgsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--57cfa39e1742c870f808df376cea495e8ceabdaf/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_79.jpg)
Chapter 4
![The speaker's innovative online programming sandbox gained traction, leading to a career opportunity in Silicon Valley.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMjAsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--f27c76d61f49ec2cd4a996a2a33c2fdc3c6dff87/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_112.jpg)
The speaker's innovative online programming sandbox gained traction, leading to a career opportunity in Silicon Valley.
- The sandbox's success attracted Silicon Valley companies, resulting in the speaker being hired and obtaining a visa to the United States.
- Settling in New York, the speaker eventually moved to Silicon Valley to start their own company, Repl.it.
![The speaker's innovative online programming sandbox gained traction, leading to a career opportunity in Silicon Valley.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMjAsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--f27c76d61f49ec2cd4a996a2a33c2fdc3c6dff87/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_112.jpg)
Chapter 5
![The speaker outlines the mission of Repl.it to make software creation accessible to anyone, aiming for a community of a billion software creators.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMjIsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--943acf3258a9dcfe6cd76ec25dd89031677928fe/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_135.jpg)
The speaker outlines the mission of Repl.it to make software creation accessible to anyone, aiming for a community of a billion software creators.
- The dream of Repl.it is to simplify the process of turning an idea into software, aiming to empower a vast number of new developers.
- Despite signing up millions of users, the speaker recognizes the need for a significant leap to achieve their vision.
![The speaker outlines the mission of Repl.it to make software creation accessible to anyone, aiming for a community of a billion software creators.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMjIsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--943acf3258a9dcfe6cd76ec25dd89031677928fe/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_135.jpg)
Chapter 6
![The speaker discovers large language models as a key technology to enable anyone to become a software creator.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMjQsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--1401d6c99cd3b57fad85799eacff4d5365add010/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_164.jpg)
The speaker discovers large language models as a key technology to enable anyone to become a software creator.
- Large language models intrigued the speaker, offering the possibility to transform any thought in any language into software.
- This technology is seen as a pivotal tool to increase the number of software creators worldwide.
![The speaker discovers large language models as a key technology to enable anyone to become a software creator.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMjQsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--1401d6c99cd3b57fad85799eacff4d5365add010/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_164.jpg)
Chapter 7
![The speaker illustrates a future where AI assistants can brainstorm and help turn a simple idea into a working prototype and eventually a full-fledged app.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMjYsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--c30d767bb768cd56c0ff7780bbdf6b3ff795bb97/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_241.jpg)
The speaker illustrates a future where AI assistants can brainstorm and help turn a simple idea into a working prototype and eventually a full-fledged app.
- The speaker imagines an AI assistant that can brainstorm and strategize to rapidly develop an app from a simple idea.
- The AI would utilize existing resources and tools, and even recruit human assistance when necessary.
![The speaker illustrates a future where AI assistants can brainstorm and help turn a simple idea into a working prototype and eventually a full-fledged app.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMjYsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--c30d767bb768cd56c0ff7780bbdf6b3ff795bb97/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_241.jpg)
Chapter 8
![The speaker explains the process of how an AI-driven project goes from plan to execution, utilizing a mix of AI-generated code and human input.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMjgsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--56b62dcd4c83c6495314c17cb85455899f7fec63/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_375.jpg)
The speaker explains the process of how an AI-driven project goes from plan to execution, utilizing a mix of AI-generated code and human input.
- The plan editor lists tasks, assembles tools, and the AI works alongside the human creator to build the app.
- AI prompts for more compute or budget as needed and can post bounties to recruit human developers for complex tasks.
![The speaker explains the process of how an AI-driven project goes from plan to execution, utilizing a mix of AI-generated code and human input.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMjgsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--56b62dcd4c83c6495314c17cb85455899f7fec63/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_375.jpg)
Chapter 9
![The speaker foresees a future where AI amplifies individual creativity, leading to a 'fortune 5 million' era of empowered creators.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMzAsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--3d3c527fedf8a96165a3bdb92c564a03cecdfd1a/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_479.jpg)
The speaker foresees a future where AI amplifies individual creativity, leading to a 'fortune 5 million' era of empowered creators.
- The speaker envisions a future where individuals manage AI and people to bring their creative ideas to life.
- These developments could lead to many more individuals creating impactful companies and products.
![The speaker foresees a future where AI amplifies individual creativity, leading to a 'fortune 5 million' era of empowered creators.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMzAsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--3d3c527fedf8a96165a3bdb92c564a03cecdfd1a/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_479.jpg)
Chapter 10
![The speaker presents real examples of individuals who have used Repl.it and AI to build successful projects and improve their lives.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMzIsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--b2ef74b3c3fa2e337a817bda67830a8a89a017f3/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_534.jpg)
The speaker presents real examples of individuals who have used Repl.it and AI to build successful projects and improve their lives.
- An entrepreneur and a student from different backgrounds have leveraged Repl.it and AI to create opportunities and build a startup.
- These stories illustrate the power of AI to equalize opportunity and expand horizons.
![The speaker presents real examples of individuals who have used Repl.it and AI to build successful projects and improve their lives.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMzIsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--b2ef74b3c3fa2e337a817bda67830a8a89a017f3/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_534.jpg)
Chapter 11
![The speaker announces the decision to open source Repl.it's AI models and make them freely available to support the company's vision of democratizing software creation.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMzQsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--31eefd2de9fa35ad874c15fca335b0b9c0f06517/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_584.jpg)
The speaker announces the decision to open source Repl.it's AI models and make them freely available to support the company's vision of democratizing software creation.
- Repl.it has open-sourced their AI models and made them free to all users as a significant step for humanity.
- The speaker emphasizes AI as a ladder that equalizes opportunity.
![The speaker announces the decision to open source Repl.it's AI models and make them freely available to support the company's vision of democratizing software creation.](https://www.videogist.co/rails/active_storage/representations/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6NzkwMzQsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--31eefd2de9fa35ad874c15fca335b0b9c0f06517/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls3MjAsbnVsbF19LCJwdXIiOiJ2YXJpYXRpb24ifX0=--c9426325207613fdd890ee7713353fad711030c7/4594_584.jpg)
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