Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Embedded AI Podcast! Ryan and Luca kick things off by exploring the fascinating intersection of AI and embedded systems. From fog computing (AI happening everywhere around us - in coffee shops, traffic lights, and cars) to vibe coding (using AI to generate code through natural language), we dive into what this new landscape looks like for embedded engineers.
We share our real-world experiences with AI in development, including Ryan's struggles getting an STM32 to print "Hello World" using AI-generated code, and Luca's insights from the German Aerospace Conference where traditional AI dominated over LLMs. The conversation reveals both the promise and pitfalls of AI in embedded development, touching on everything from sound-based machine monitoring to the security implications of learning algorithms in the field. Whether you're curious about AI or skeptical about its place in embedded systems, this episode sets the stage for our ongoing exploration of how AI is reshaping our industry.
Key Topics
* [02:30] Fog computing explained - AI processing happening everywhere around us
* [05:15] Vibe coding - using natural language to generate code with AI
* [08:45] Luca's insights from German Aerospace Conference - traditional AI vs LLMs
* [15:20] Sound-based machine monitoring using AI for predictive maintenance
* [22:10] Ryan's STM32 Hello World struggles with AI-generated code
* [28:30] Security implications of learning algorithms in embedded systems
* [35:45] How AI is changing developer roles - from coding to systems engineering
Notable Quotes
> "Fog computing is taking that and flipping it over again. Instead of doing the mass of the computing in a data center, you're doing it on the outside edge on these tiny devices in the forest." — Ryan
> "AI is here to stay, and it is really, really useful and really, really helpful if you apply it well and if you apply it to the right things." — Luca
> "I had a friend yesterday asked me if I thought that I was losing my brain because I've been vibe coding so much. I just don't have to use the shift key anymore." — Ryan
> "How can this thing be so smart and so stupid at the same time?" — Luca
> "Good, bad, or otherwise, we need to get involved in this, or you're going to get swept up and left behind." — Ryan