Andrej Karpathy: Software Is Changing (Again)

About this Video

• Video Title: Andrej Karpathy: Software Is Changing (Again)
• Channel: Y Combinator
• Speakers: Andrej Karpathy
• Duration: 00:39:32

Introduction

Andrej Karpathy, former director of AI at Tesla, discusses the fundamental shift in software development driven by Large Language Models (LLMs). He introduces the concept of software 3.0, where LLMs, programmable in English, represent a new type of computer. The video explores the properties of LLMs as utilities, fabs, and operating systems, examining their potential and challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Software 3.0: LLMs represent a new programming paradigm (software 3.0), programmable in natural language (English), making software development more accessible.
• LLMs as Utilities, Fabs, and Operating Systems: Karpathy draws parallels between LLMs and utilities (metered access, high demand), fabs (high capital expenditure for training), and operating systems (complex software ecosystems with closed and open-source options). The current state is likened to the 1960s era of computing, with centralized cloud-based LLMs.
• LLM Psychology: LLMs are described as "people spirits"—stochastic simulations of people with emergent psychology. They possess encyclopedic knowledge and memory but also exhibit cognitive deficits like hallucinations and inconsistent intelligence. This requires careful consideration when integrating them into applications.
• Partial Autonomy Apps: The talk highlights the potential of partially autonomous apps that leverage LLMs to manage context, orchestrate multiple model calls, provide user-friendly GUIs for auditing, and offer autonomy sliders to control AI involvement. Examples like Cursor and Perplexity are presented.
• Building for Agents: The future of software development involves building applications directly for agents (LLMs). This includes creating LLM-friendly documentation (e.g., using markdown), adjusting existing interfaces, and developing protocols for direct agent interaction. The talk shows examples of companies and tools already moving in this direction.