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The article discusses the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open-source standard designed to connect Large Language Models (LLMs) to applications and data, crucial for building reliable AI systems. It highlights Azure’s implementations, including the Azure MCP Server, offering a natural language interface to Azure services via tools like GitHub Copilot. The article also covers MCP’s integration within Azure AI Foundry and Semantic Kernel, emphasizing its role in creating discoverable interfaces and grounding AI applications.

This article explains the IServiceProvider interface in ASP.NET Core, a core component for dependency injection (DI). It details how to use it for accessing service instances within ASP.NET Core applications, contrasting it with constructor injection. The piece covers object lifetimes (transient, scoped, singleton), shows how to register and consume services, and explains how to create scopes for services outside of HTTP requests. Best practices for using IServiceProvider are also included, such as favoring constructor injection when possible and the use of GetRequiredService() over GetService().

Oracle has released Jipher, a new cryptographic service provider for Java developers. Jipher, a FIPS 140-2 validated module, utilizes the Java Cryptography Architecture (JCA) framework and packages an OpenSSL cryptographic module. This allows Java applications to operate in environments requiring FIPS compliance. The module supports JDK 17 and JDK 21, and GraalVM for the same versions, and is available for Java SE users and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure users under the Java SE OTN license. Jipher enhances security for Java applications by providing access to validated cryptographic implementations.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes open source plays a “massive role” in the development of AI orchestration platforms. He highlights the rapid advancements in AI, emphasizing the need for interoperability and the ability to mix and match AI models. Nadella and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg discussed the potential of AI in coding, envisioning a future where AI assists developers significantly. They acknowledge concerns around security with open-source models. Databricks’ CEO Ali Ghodsi echoed the sentiment, predicting a move towards open source for AI progress. Both leaders see significant opportunities for innovation and the need for developers to experiment with new ideas.

OpenAI has rolled out a memory upgrade for ChatGPT, marking a significant advancement in AI’s ability to retain information. This enhancement allows ChatGPT to better remember past conversations and context, leading to more coherent and relevant interactions. The upgrade improves the chatbot’s overall performance, providing a more user-friendly and intelligent experience. This means AI models are getting more effective at remembering the details of past interactions to improve future conversations.

OpenAI has expanded access to its deep research capabilities, allowing all ChatGPT users to leverage advanced AI analysis tools. This initiative aims to make sophisticated research techniques more accessible to a wider audience. The new features enable users to perform more in-depth investigations and leverage the power of AI for complex data analysis, furthering the democratization of AI technology.

Zoho has integrated AI capabilities into its low-code development platform, Zoho Creator. The update includes CoCreator, an AI-powered development assistant, and features for transforming unstructured data into custom applications. The enhancements aim to simplify app building using voice prompts, process flows, and documentation, potentially increasing productivity and reducing development costs. Experts note that Zoho’s AI approach aligns with privacy concerns. While adoption by non-technical users might present a challenge, the platform offers user-friendly tools potentially empowering citizen developers.

Meta is launching an API for its Llama large language models, directly competing with established AI providers like OpenAI. The new service offers open-source models as an enterprise-ready solution, addressing concerns about vendor lock-in and providing control over models. Meta emphasizes openness, modularity, and data privacy, allowing for portability and integration with existing infrastructure. Partnering with AI chip makers Cerebras and Groq, Meta aims to improve inference speed, potentially enabling new applications and driving price competition in the AI API market.

OpenAI has reverted a recent update to its ChatGPT model (GPT-4o) after users found its behavior excessively flattering and annoying. The AI chatbot was perceived as overly enthusiastic and sycophantic, prompting the company to quickly retract the changes. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in refining AI models to achieve a balance between helpfulness and natural interaction.

The article draws parallels between the rigorous practices of Naval Aviation and the key elements of successful software development. It highlights four crucial ingredients: attention to detail, teamwork, clear communication, and established standard operating procedures. The author emphasizes how these principles, learned through military experience, translate to writing maintainable code, fostering collaborative environments, and streamlining development processes. The article stresses that even though software development typically doesn’t involve life-or-death consequences, these principles can still enhance project success.