Join us as we discuss event-driven architectures (EDA) with MuleSoft's latest capabilities with Alex Martinez. The discussion will explore the integration of AsyncAPI specifications, which streamline the transition from REST to event-driven systems, enabling high-volume asynchronous communications and improved API lifecycle management. 

The conversation highlights tools like Anypoint Studio and Anypoint Code Builder that simplify complex integrations using messaging technologies such as Kafka, Solace, and Salesforce Platform Events. Whether new to EDA or an experienced developer, this episode is packed with valuable information and resources to elevate integration strategies and deepen understanding of the future of software development.

Show Highlights:

• Transitioning from REST to event-driven systems using async API specifications.
• Exploration of MuleSoft tools like Anypoint Studio and Anypoint Code Builder for API design and management.
• Benefits of using MuleSoft for integrating messaging technologies like Kafka, Solace, Anypoint MQ, and Salesforce Platform Events.
• Importance of API governance for maintaining compliance and consistency across specifications.

Links:

• Build Real-Time AI Experiences with MuleSoft - https://www.salesforce.com/plus/experience/dreamforce_2024/series/it_at_dreamforce_2024/episode/episode-s1e24
• AsyncAPI Support to Implement Event-Driven Architecture - https://docs.mulesoft.com/release-notes/platform/event-driven-api

Australia's Dave Norris joins us in exploring the cutting-edge techniques of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and hybrid search methods. We delve into the limitations of traditional keyword searches in the face of unstructured data like PDFs and emails, which make up a significant portion of enterprise data. By using Data Cloud and hyperscalers like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, Dave shows how to transform chaotic data into intelligent search engines. 

The discussion highlights the role of context in AI-generated responses, illustrating this with the challenge of summarizing meetings without enough information. The episode also examines the potential of hybrid search technologies such as Agentforce and vector search, emphasizing the importance of prompt engineering in refining data retrieval. 

Through examples from Dreamforce and fictional companies, listeners gain insights into how these technologies enhance user experiences by combining semantic and keyword searches, showcasing the advanced potential of modern search innovations.

Show Highlights:

• Discussion on the limitations of traditional keyword searches in data retrieval.
• Insights into the use of Data Cloud for managing unstructured data via hyperscalers like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
• Examination of hybrid search techniques, including Agentforce and vector search technology.
• Focus on the importance of prompt engineering to enhance AI responses and prevent hallucinations.
• Introduction to hybrid search, combining vector and keyword search for improved precision and relevance.

Links:

Using Retrieval Augmented Generation in Data Cloud — https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.c360_a_rag_overview.htm&type=5

In this episode, we discuss the intricacies of integrating Salesforce with AWS alongside expert Philippe Ozil. We cover the capabilities of Salesforce Connect and its AWS adapters, which facilitate efficient data and event-driven integrations without the hassle of data replication. Hear the benefits of Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Athena, and the versatile GraphQL adapter, each serving unique use cases within Salesforce. As we wait to hear Philippe's insights from the CheckDreaming conference in Prague, we encourage you to continue your learning journey. Thank you for joining us and sharing in our passion for the evolving world of Salesforce development.

Show Highlights:

• Overview of Salesforce Connect and its AWS adapters.
• Benefits of virtualizing access to external data sources and their impact on developer experience.
• Event-driven integrations using event relays to connect Salesforce events to Amazon EventBridge.
• Upcoming features like managed subscriptions for PubSub API in the Salesforce Summer '24 release.
• Practical tips for Salesforce developers to start experimenting with AWS integrations.

 Links:

• Integrating with AWS Thanks to Unified Developer Experience (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNNI_ApmTHA
• Explore Unified Developer Experience Powered By AWS - https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/trails/unified-developer-experience-powered-by-aws
• Announcing the Salesforce Connect Adapter for GraphQL (blog) - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/08/announcing-the-salesforce-connect-adapter-for-graphql

Join us as we sit down with Salesforce maestro Mohith Shrivastava to unwrap the Summer '24 Salesforce release. We take a tour through the latest and greatest enhancements that are stirring up excitement in the developer community. From the seamless integration of Data Cloud with the Salesforce core platform to the introduction of static SOQL for Data Model Objects (DMOs), our conversation lights the path to simplifying the creation of test classes with the ability to mock SOQL queries.

Listen in as we uncover the revolutionary developments in Einstein Copilot for developers and how custom actions can now be extended and built using Apex, flows, or prompt templates. Wrapping up our discussion, we celebrate the quality of life improvements that are game-changers for developers.

Show Highlights:

• Discussion on Data Cloud integration with Salesforce core and static SOQL for DMOs.

• Introduction of the ability to mock SOQL queries, enhancing test class creation.

• Insights into Einstein Copilot going GA, custom action capabilities, and improved analytics.

• Monthly updates on Einstein 1 Studio features and quality-of-life improvements for developers.

• Apex enhancements including cursors for async processing and deepened SOQL query levels.

• New features for Lightning Web Components (LWCs) and enhancements to ISV packaging and APIs.

Links:

• Read: The Salesforce Developer’s Guide to the Summer ’24 Release

• RSVP: Release Readiness Live is back on Thursday, May 30 at 9 a.m. PST.  Hear about the latest features from some of Salesforce’s excellent product managers and developer advocates.

• Read: Summer ’24 Release Notes

• Join: Salesforce Developers Trailblazer Community group

Join us as we chat with Mohith Shrivastava, a Salesforce Developer Advocate who needs no introduction to the Salesforce community. Listen in as Mohith unravels the intricacies of Einstein Copilot custom actions and how this conversational AI assistant is revolutionizing the Salesforce experience by understanding an organization's metadata and data permissions. For developers, the excitement lies in custom actions — Mohith shares how these can be crafted using flows, Apex, and prompt templates to enhance productivity and user interaction.

Mohith explains the flexibility offered by Einstein Copilot's use of large language models, moving away from the rigidity of traditional chatbot implementations. We dissect how developers can think of their implementations as microservices, writing individual actions that the reasoning engine then seamlessly chains together. 

Tune in and empower your Salesforce development skills with insights from one of the platform's most recognized advocates.

Show Highlights:

• How developers can utilize flows, Apex, and prompt templates to build dynamic conversational interfaces.

• The use of large language models for flexible, microservices-based approaches in chatbot design.

• Technical details on extending Salesforce's AI capabilities using standard technologies for personalized user interactions.

• Importance of proper architecture, understanding governor limits, and optimizing triggers for successful AI integration in Salesforce.

• The potential of integrating external data and services to enhance Salesforce AI functionalities.

• The importance of quality data and Data Cloud for improving AI experiences within Salesforce applications.

Links:

• Build Custom Copilot Actions Using Apex - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/03/build-custom-copilot-actions-using-apex

• Build Custom Copilot Actions using Apex - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XvyeiwNbDI

• Extend Your Copilot with Custom Actions - https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.copilot_actions_custom.htm&type=5

Join the conversation with Akshata Sawant from MuleSoft as we unlock the combination of MuleSoft's integration prowess and Salesforce Data Cloud. Hear Akshata’s takeaways from TrailblazerDX, where she delves into MuleSoft's transformative capabilities for data handling. It's a masterclass in leveraging the dynamic DataWeave for schema generation, tailored for developers grappling with diverse data formats. Experience firsthand how MuleSoft shapes the future of data integration, all while ensuring the highest security and compliance standards.

We then discuss MuleSoft APIs with Salesforce's Einstein Copilot. Don't miss out on this dialogue filled with the excitement of what's to come as we integrate Data Cloud, MuleSoft, and Einstein Copilot.

Show Highlights:

• Data ingestion, querying, and record deletion through MuleSoft connectors, and schema generation with DataWeave.
• The collaboration of MuleSoft APIs with Einstein Copilot to enable complex operations like data updates and automated email notifications.
• Importance of built-in security and compliance in integrating third-party systems with Salesforce's AI capabilities.
• The versatility of MuleSoft in handling various data formats and facilitating complex integration tasks.
• Future discussions on the potential of integrating Data Cloud, MuleSoft, and Einstein Copilot for enhanced efficiency and operations.

Links:

• Power Up Data Cloud with MuleSoft - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqvqfOjvHiY

Intelligent Integration with Copilot Actions, APIs, and MuleSoft - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhfliR2meoc

Join us as we welcome the Data Cloud Queen herself, Danielle Larregui. Get ready to witness the groundbreaking power of Einstein 1 Studio as Danielle unveils its transformative capabilities within the Salesforce Data Cloud. Discover how developers can effortlessly create AI models using a no-code or low-code approach directly with their Data Lake data. We'll explore the practicality of generating predictions, integrating external AI platforms, and leveraging built-in tools for assessing prediction accuracy.

Brace yourself for the standout feature of 'Bring Your Own Model,' which allows seamless, real-time data sharing without the need for ETL processes. We'll discuss the availability of Snowflake's integration and the potential that lies with Google BigQuery. Imagine how these integrations can revolutionize your external data management, from segmentation to identity resolution. 

Stay tuned to learn how Data Cloud Enrichment could further enhance your Salesforce CRM by leveraging the power of Data Cloud data.

Show Highlights:

• Introduction of Einstein 1 Studio and Model Builder within Salesforce Data Cloud for creating AI models using no-code or low-code approaches.

• How the "Bring Your Own Model" feature enables real-time data sharing with Salesforce Data Cloud without ETL processes.

• How Data Cloud Enrichment allows Salesforce CRM records to be updated with Data Cloud data.

• Remote Data Cloud, which could unify data management for organizations with multiple Salesforce instances.

• Ability to use predictions made by AI models in Salesforce flows, Apex classes, and reporting within Data Cloud.

Links:

• Bring Your Google Vertex AI Models To Data Cloud - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/11/bring-your-google-vertex-ai-models-to-data-cloud

• Use Model Builder to Integrate Databricks Models with Salesforce - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/03/use-model-builder-to-integrate-databricks-models-with-salesforce

Join us as we sit down with Philippe Ozil, a familiar face in the Salesforce Developer community, to chat about the exciting developments and enhancements to the Salesforce Developer Sample Apps. Philippe brings his passion for this area to the forefront, discussing the significant strides the team is making with the upcoming spring release.

Listen in as Philippe also sheds light on the open-source nature of the sample apps, which provides an invaluable opportunity for developers to get hands-on experience. We explore the progress in integrating mobile device native capabilities into Salesforce apps under the 'Nimbus' umbrella. Philippe's enthusiasm is contagious as he details the innovative uses of geolocation, QR code scanning, and OCR technology that are transforming the Dreamhouse app for real estate professionals on the go. 

Whether you're a seasoned Salesforce Developer or just getting started, this episode is packed with knowledge that will surely inspire and inform your work.

Show Highlights:

• Sample apps are open source, available on GitHub, and include full code coverage, unit testing, and continuous integration, exemplifying best practices for developers.

• Introduction of the Lightning Record Picker Component and Workspace API for Lightning Web Components in the Spring release.

• The importance of community contributions to the open-source sample apps.

• Educational content such as introduction videos, trailhead badges, and documentation leverages sample apps for a comprehensive developer learning experience.

Links:

• Salesforce Developer Sample Apps - https://github.com/trailheadapps

• EBikes Lightning Web Runtime - https://github.com/trailheadapps/ebikes-lwc/tree/pozil/lwr-site

• Sample Apps YouTube Series - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgIMQe2PKPSJcuCwM61dEc4jFG_jHqV2t

• Trailhead QuickStart: Tour the Sample App Gallery - https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/projects/quick-start-tour-the-sample-app-gallery

Unlock the power of Salesforce's latest innovations with an exclusive look into the Spring '24 release as we sit down with Salesforce Developer Advocate Alba Rivas. Prepare to elevate your development skills with an array of new Lightning Web Components features, including the much-anticipated dynamic components and the transformative GraphQL wire adapter. Alba's enthusiasm is infectious as we discuss how these updates, inspired by community feedback, are reshaping the landscape of Salesforce development.

Our conversation with Alba spans from the technical intricacies of the new record picker component to the practical applications of the Workspace API, bridging the Aura and LWC divide. We also shed light on the critical instrumentation API, a tool that's arming developers with valuable user interaction insights. 

Join us as we celebrate the continuous innovation of Lightning Web Components and provide you with the expert insights needed to stay ahead in the dynamic world of Salesforce development.

Show Highlights:

• Introduction of dynamic components and the GraphQL wire adapter to simplify queries and enhance front-end development efficiency.

• Examination of the new record picker component and its configuration options.

• Overview of the instrumentation API, enabling developers to log user interactions for better insights into application usage.

• Discussion on best practices for using dynamic components to maintain performance in Salesforce applications.

Links:

• LWC Recipes GraphQL example - https://github.com/trailheadapps/lwc-recipes/tree/main/force-app/main/default/lwc/graphqlContacts

• GraphQL Wire Adapter for LWC Documentation - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/graphql/guide/graphql-wire-lwc.html

• codeLive: How to Work with the GraphQL Wire Adapter for LWC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTYEzizzyW0

• LWC Recipes Dynamic Components example - https://github.com/trailheadapps/lwc-recipes/pull/897

• Dynamic Components for LWC Documentation - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/lwc/guide/js-dynamic-components.html

• codeLive: How to Work with Dynamic Lightning Web Components - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df7P22seEL8

• LWC Recipes Workspace API example - https://github.com/trailheadapps/lwc-recipes/pull/897

• Workspace API for LWC Documentation - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.api_console.meta/api_console/sforce_api_console.htm

• Dreamforce 2023: From Aura to LWC: Harnessing New Features with Revamped APIs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVBjfTmKsOI

• Custom Component Instrumentation API Documentation - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/component-library/bundle/lightning-logger/documentation

Join us for a journey into the tech universe as we explore the ins and outs of mobile app development with Salesforce's own Ashwin Nair and Galen Lewis. Listen in as Ashwin recounts his evolution from a sports game enthusiast to a product manager for Mobile Platform Experience, and Galen shares his beginnings with Scratch to his current role as an associate product manager for Mobile SDK. 

This episode sheds light on the latest advancements in mobile developer tooling. Ashwin walks us through the exciting new features, such as the enhanced LWC offline test harness and the debut of the mobile offline onboarding wizard tool, alongside the Nimbus plugins that promise to revolutionize access to native device functionalities.

Tune in for an engaging blend of tech talk and personal anecdotes that underscore the vibrant community of developers and enthusiasts alike.

Show Highlights:

• Introduction of new features in Salesforce's Spring '24 release, including the LWC offline test harness and mobile offline onboarding wizard tool.

• Discussion on Nimbus plugins for Salesforce mobile development, enabling integration of native device functionalities like document scanning, NFC, and biometrics.

• The capabilities and future updates of Salesforce's Mobile SDK, including native login, one-time passwords, and on-device AI functionality.

• The importance of offline capabilities in mobile development for handling scenarios with limited network connectivity.

Links:

• Ashwin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashwin-nair/

• Test Harness Developer Documentation: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.mobile_offline.meta/mobile_offline/dx_harness_app_ux_home.htm

• Introducing the Salesforce Offline App Onboarding Wizard: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/07/introducing-the-salesforce-offline-app-onboarding-wizard

• Developer Docs: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.248.0.mobile_offline.meta/mobile_offline/dx_onboard_wizard.htm

• Nimbus Plugins: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.mobile_offline.meta/mobile_offline/capabilities.htm

• Galen’s LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/galenlewis/

• Enabling Biometric Authentication in Mobile SDK Apps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WPW870GWdk

• Mobile SDK Developer Guide: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.noversion.mobile_sdk.meta/mobile_sdk/preface_intro.htm

• What’s New in Mobile SDK 11.0 and 11.1?: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/12/whats-new-in-mobile-sdk-11-0-and-11-1

Join us in this episode with Simone Geib, Director of Product Management at MuleSoft, as she shares her serendipitous foray into the world of computer science. Listen in as Simone takes us back to her formative years in 1980s Germany and walks us through the trials and triumphs of entering a male-dominated field, her subsequent move into artificial intelligence, and the enriching experiences that shaped her path.

Explore the revolutionary world of cloud-hosted development environments with us, focusing on Anypoint Code Builder and the Anypoint extension for Visual Studio Code. Simone elaborates on how this tool offers developers a flexible and secure solution that fits perfectly into their workflows, regardless of location or device restrictions. She also sheds light on the integration of generative AI, which promises to transform how we approach initial flow designs. 

Remember to connect with us for more developer insights and stories, and don't miss the chance to experience innovation and community at TDX ’24.

Show Highlights:

• Simone’s unexpected discovery of computer science and her journey from learning MS-DOS to embracing AI at university.

• Transition from a developer working with Visual Basic and C++ to a product manager role at MuleSoft.

• Advantages of cloud-hosted development environments and the role of MuleSoft's community in the evolution of Anypoint Code Builder.

• Preview of the Einstein for Anypoint Code Builder's generative AI pilot for flow designs from natural language prompts.

Links:

• Simone at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonegeib/

• Anypoint Code Builder: https://www.mulesoft.com/platform/api/anypoint-code-builder

• Register to attend TrailblazerDX 2024

Uncover the future of Salesforce development with insights from Mohith Shrivastava in our latest episode, where we dissect the Spring '24 release highlights. From the time-saving beta feature Scratch Org Snapshots to the sleek new Null Coalescing Operator and the UUID system class in Apex, we're unpacking tools that promise to elevate your coding experience to new heights. These updates not only simplify workflows but also signify Apex's evolution towards contemporary programming standards.

In this episode, we discuss the substantial enhancements within Lightning Web Components, like the now widely available Workspace API and the transformative Lightning Record Picker component. We also say goodbye to tools such as the Ant Migration Tool and Workbench. Meanwhile, Salesforce Data Cloud is upping its game with new features and updates that integrate data with unprecedented ease. 

Don't miss out on the excitement for what the future holds for Salesforce releases — join us for an episode brimming with expert knowledge and tips straight from one of Salesforce's very own developer advocates.

Show Highlights:

• Apex language enhancements, including the Null Coalescing Operator for streamlined null checks and default value assignments and the UUID system class.

• Updates to Lightning Web Components (LWC), along with performance improvements through component versioning and native JavaScript APIs.

• Retirement of the Ant Migration Tool in favor of Salesforce CLI for deployment and org management.

• Salesforce Data Cloud advancements with new features for data integrations.

Resources:

• Read the blog: The Salesforce Developer’s Guide to the Spring ’24 Release

• Follow the trail: Spring ’24 Release Highlights

• Browse the release notes

• Join the Salesforce Developers Trailblazer Community group to connect with the global developer community.

• Join Release Readiness Trailblazers to stay up to date on the latest and greatest product enhancements and innovations across the Salesforce ecosystem.

In this episode, we dive into the latest innovations and updates unveiled at Dreamforce 2024 with Philippe Ozil. We explore the refreshed Lightning Design System (SLDS2), which enhances accessibility and themability without disrupting customizations. Discover the game-changing Local Development (beta), offering real-time component updates and seamless page state maintenance. We also highlight new mobile capabilities, including native feature plugins and the empowering AgentForce suite designed for specialized AI agents.

Learn about significant advancements in Salesforce tooling, the benefits of local development without deployment, and the introduction of Core Cloud, a new sample app rich with educational resources. Don't miss insights from the latest developer keynote and future trends in Data Cloud and Data Graphs.

Show Highlights:

• Deep dive into Lightning Web Components Local Development version 2.
• New mobile capabilities and native feature plugins.
• Advancements in Salesforce tooling, such as local development benefits without deployment to an org and hub module reloading.
• Exploration of Core Cloud, a new sample app for developers focusing on agents, prompts, and Data Cloud.
• Overview of Data Cloud features, new color themes, and future trends

Links:

• Developer Keynote: Build the Future with the Platform - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80reYTg9xXI
• LWC Local Development Server (Beta) - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/sfvscode-extensions/guide/lwclocaldev.html

Join us as we have a conversation with our guest, Adam White, Senior Product Manager of Automation at Salesforce. Listen in as he recounts the evolution of his gaming and tinkering with various consoles and his first computer, a Pentium 100, revealing how overcoming the challenges of early computing led to a love for problem-solving and technical mastery.

In this conversation, we explore the unconventional pathways to tech careers, emphasizing that a traditional background in technology isn't always necessary. The discussion navigates through career milestones, from the challenges of managing Salesforce single-handedly to embracing program management at Alarm.com and delving into the role of Atlassian tools in business applications. Our chat then takes a closer look at the latest features in Salesforce Flow, such as the advancements in reactive screen flows, allowing form building with conditionally disabled and read-only fields.

Listen in for an exciting conversation!

Show Highlights:

• The influence of early gaming on developing tech skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Transitioning from an economics and Spanish major to a tech enthusiast.

• Challenges and triumphs of solo Salesforce administration and the benefits of low-code solutions like Salesforce Flow.

• Latest features in Salesforce, including reactive screens and the repeater component for screen flows.

• Discussion of the upcoming Salesforce features and the anticipation of how they will enhance user experience and developer capabilities.

Links:

• Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/declarativeninja/

• Reactive Screen Components: https://admin.salesforce.com/blog/2023/flow-reactive-screen-components-ga-learn-moar-winter-24

Join us as we take a journey with Christie Fidura, Salesforce's director of Global Trailblazer Engagement, through her unexpected love affair with technology and the world of programming. We explore the elegance and universality of coding languages as Christie reflects on her transition from an English literature and Spanish student to teaching engineers at DuPont. This conversation reveals the hidden poetry in programming and the crucial role of technical communication in bridging the gap between users and creators.

Christie also highlights the significance of “Johnny Appleseed” figures who sow the seeds of knowledge and enthusiasm, fostering local communities. You'll learn the importance of nurturing personal connections within this expansive network and how we enable a transparent exchange between community members and Salesforce product managers through various platforms. Tune in to this episode for a blend of personal narratives and insights into the dynamic Salesforce ecosystem.

Show Highlights:

• The growth and evolution of Christie’s relationship with technology.

• The warm, familial nature of the Salesforce community, the global connections made, and the significant role of “Johnny Appleseed” trailblazers.

• Christie’s experience with the London Salesforce admin meetup.

• The importance of maintaining personal connections in the community and facilitating direct interactions between Salesforce product managers and community members.

• Christie’s plans for 2024 with a focus on artificial intelligence and the role developers can play in guiding companies through AI implementation.

Links:

• Christie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiefidura/

• Salesforce Developers Community: https://salesforce.com/devcommunity

Join us as we chat with Julio, Laura, and Pedro, passionate members of the Salesforce community who have had their hands full organizing dreamOlé, Spain's premier Salesforce community conference. They regale us with stories of their beginnings in the Salesforce community, the hurdles they had to overcome in event organization, and the irreplaceable role the community has played in their personal and professional growth.

We also discuss the pivot to virtual event organization amid the pandemic and the resilience of dreamOlé. Wrapping up the conversation, Julio, Laura, and Pedro offer valuable insights on the significance of collaboration, enjoying the process, and the importance of a trustworthy team.

Show Highlights:

• The challenges faced while organizing the conference and the support and learning they received from the Salesforce community.

• The significance of dreamOlé in unifying the Salesforce community and fostering connections among its members.

• Pedro’s journey from being an attendee at the inaugural dreamOlé to becoming a volunteer.

• The essence of collaboration, the joy of the process, and the importance of a strong team in organizing such events.

Join me and our guests Keegan Klauke and Subi Philip from MRE Consulting as we journey back in time to explore their early experiences with computers. Keegan shares his passion for computer hardware and programming, sparked by early video games, while Subi talks about his initial coding experience in high school. From their first encounters with the Commodore 64 to their entrance into the Salesforce ecosystem, their stories provide a unique look into the evolution of computer technology.

Listen in as we explore the integration of chatbots with Apex processes, discussing the different use cases for designing chatbots and the importance of AI in understanding customer intent. We address concerns about toxicity and hallucinations in chatbot behavior and how to prevent them. We also discuss the process of designing and testing chatbots within the Salesforce ecosystem, discussing the importance of mapping user questions to predefined intents and providing structured responses. 

Whether you're looking to build modern chatbots within the Salesforce platform or simply interested in the evolution of technology, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Show Highlights:

• The design and use of chatbots within the Salesforce platform.

• The significance of leveraging AI in chatbot design to understand customer intent and prevent potential discrepancies.

• The importance of mapping user interactions and providing structured responses to avoid incorrect or offensive chatbot responses.

• The challenges of automating testing for chatbots are discussed, stressing the need for human intervention.

• Insights for those interested in building modern chatbots within the Salesforce platform.

Links:

• Keegan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keegan-klauke/ 

• Subi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/subiphilip/

• MRE Website Link: https://mre-consulting.com/technologies/salesforce/

• Our MRE Blog Post on Chatbots & AI: https://mre-consulting.com/insights/improving-customer-experience-and-self-service-with-chatbots-ai/

• Einstein Bot Developer Cookbook: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.bot_cookbook.meta/bot_cookbook/bot_cookbook_overview.htm

• Chat LWC Pack: https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxListingDetail?listingId=a0N3A00000FoirpUAB

• Chat LWC Pack (GitHub): https://github.com/Colatabajonies/Chat-Lightning-Web-Component-Pack

Join us as we have a conversation with Ajay Kumar, Senior Manager for Solutions Engineering at MuleSoft, where we discuss his educational journey, how he transitioned into the MuleSoft and Salesforce ecosystem, and the vital role of continuous learning in technology. 

We also explore the captivating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We discuss its evolution, current state, and the promising future it holds. Listen in as we share insights into generative AI, its increasing importance across industries, and its potential to enhance human IQ. 

Additionally, we discuss the significant impact of AI on our daily lives and how it's revolutionizing industries, especially retail, through optimizing inventory management. Overcoming fear and hesitation towards AI, the necessity of staying relevant in the rapidly changing tech industry, and the irreplaceable human touch in AI are some of the captivating topics we touch upon.

Show Highlights:

• The evolution and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including its transformative potential across various industries and its capacity to enhance human IQ.

• Kumar delves into the concept of gendered AI, the current state of AI, and the future potential of artificial general intelligence.

• The use of AI in the retail industry. 

• The role of MuleSoft in data integration.

• The concept of having a personal AI 'co-pilot' in the future.

Links:

• Ajay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj127/

Ready to jump into the captivating realm of coding and computer technology? This episode promises an intriguing exploration of the journey from early computing to the cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence in software development. Join us with Thomas Theunen, head of commerce at Forward, as he reminisces about his fascinating evolution from a curious child tinkering with his first computer to becoming a tech-savvy forward thinker. 

Interested in how languages evolve in the world of coding? From Thomas’s maiden voyage with C Sharp, his engagement with Windows Phone applications, to his dedicated seven-year expedition with Java at an enterprise level, it's a rollercoaster ride through the tech landscape. Our discussion dives deep into the Salesforce ecosystem, JavaScript development, and the emerging uses of AI in speeding up workflows. Lastly, Thomas discusses the burgeoning B2C Commerce Cloud community and his invaluable contributions to it. 

This isn't just an episode; it's a chronicle of a tech enthusiast's journey, making it a must-listen for all computer technology and coding enthusiasts!

Show Highlights:

• Thomas’s professional journey with software development languages.

• His experience transitioning into the Salesforce ecosystem, JavaScript development with BTC Commerce Cloud, and his evolution from a developer to an architect.

• The role of AI in software development, how it has helped Thomas speed up his workflows, and the importance of human involvement in reviewing AI-generated solutions.

• Thomas’ contribution to the B2C Commerce Cloud community, its growth over the years, and his insights into using React in development.

• The transformative role of AI in workflow improvement, from aiding in code generation to simplifying unit tests.

Links:

• Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-theunen-10905680/

Join us as we chat with Igor Androsov, National Architect Director at Mills of Japan. Igor shares his introduction to Salesforce in 2008 and his active involvement in the Salesforce community. Hear how the global pandemic has influenced his work, leading to him joining Salesforce in 2020. Listen as he narrates his rich experiences within the Salesforce community in Japan, and how it has enriched his career.

We touch on Salesforce’s VTO program and MuleSoft tools. Igor shares his contribution to the Impact Labs and the Open Source Commons Projects, offering his Salesforce skills to aid nonprofits. He also explains how Salesforce Developers can start with MuleSoft and the available resources. Don't miss out on Igor’s intriguing discussion on the API Experience Hub. 

Listen in today!

Show Highlights:

• Androsov’s experiences with Salesforce community engagement and how global events like the pandemic shaped his career.

• Salesforce's Voluntary Time Off (VTO) program.

• The MuleSoft tools offering insight for developers on how to get started and the resources available.

• Androsov's journey of learning and contributing to the Impact Labs and Open Source Commons Projects is highlighted.

• Overview of API Experience Hub, a new tool from MuleSoft that allows users to create a branded experience for their APIs. 

Links:

•  Igor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iandrosov/

Join us for an exciting discussion with Stephan Chandler-Garcia, Director of Strategic Content at Salesforce, as he takes us through his journey from composing music on a computer in his early school years to becoming a self-taught Salesforce Developer. Listen in as Stephan recounts his experiences of exploring computers, creating custom scenery for a computer game, and ultimately moving to the UK to start his career in the Salesforce economy, all without a college degree. 

Stephan gives an intriguing insight into his project HowToDev_ a series aimed at helping people transition into Salesforce development. He also sheds light on the future of development, focusing on the role of AI, Data Cloud, and Hyperforce in the current Salesforce landscape. 

Tune in to hear about Stephan's exciting journey, his contributions to Salesforce, and his vision for the future of AI in development.

Show Highlights:

• Insights into the core object model, security, order of operations, and the impact of low code and no code tools in Salesforce.

• The future of development and the role of AI, Data Cloud, and Hyperforce in the Salesforce landscape.

• The importance of learning how to prompt AI tools, equating it to understanding how to use a search engine like Google. 

• Using pre-built and pre-configured AI applications. 

Links:

• Stephan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanwgarcia/

• HowToDev_ on Salesforce+: https://www.salesforce.com/plus/series/howtodev_

• Explore AI Innovation from Dreamforce 2023: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/10/ai-innovation-dreamforce-2023

• Inside the Einstein Trust Layer: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/10/inside-the-einstein-trust-layer

• An Introduction to Autonomous Agents: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/10/an-introduction-to-autonomous-agents 

Join us as we explore the journey of Alex Delic, Director at Code Development, from his earliest exposure to technology to his fascinating foray into coding. Listen in as we discuss his journey from playing with Raspberry Pi to coding professionally and his unexpected detour into archaeology during his university years.

Unpack how Salesforce's investment in automated testing can help reduce the burden of manual regression testing and expand beyond just Salesforce applications. Alexander shares his insights on the challenges of UI testing and how MaxTAF can create reusable components for test scripts. In the world of mobile applications, we discuss the benefits and challenges of automated testing. 

It's an episode filled with nostalgia, progress, and personal anecdotes you won’t want to miss.

Show Highlights:

• The concept of automated testing in application development.

• The role of technologies like Sauce Labs and BrowserStack in providing solutions for automated testing of mobile applications. 

• The importance of regression testing and the need for rigorous, structured testing methods to catch regressions. 

• The open-source technologies like Selenium, UTAM, and Playwright, used for automated testing. 

• The challenges and possible solutions for mobile testing.

Links:

• Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-delic-32375874/

• MaxTAF: https://www.maxtaf.com/

Join us for a special celebration as we hit our 200th episode! Discover how the Godfather of Trailhead, Josh Birk, came to earn his title. Josh walks us through his journey from creating an application named 'Medals' on Node.js to kickstarting the innovative project of Trailhead. Listen in as he explains how he combined anonymous Apex and the REST API to gauge completion and how this led to the birth of the Trailhead platform.

Josh also shares the amazing stories from his 13-year journey at Salesforce. We also discuss his unforgettable three-city tour in India and how Trailhead provided people with the resources they needed to learn Salesforce and get certified. 

As we reminisce about our past episodes, we're also excited about the road ahead. We'd love for you to be part of our upcoming 300th episode, so stay tuned!

Show Highlights:

• The role of role-playing video games in maintaining mental health during the pandemic and how they influenced Josh’s professional career.

• How Josh’s gaming passion led to the creation of 'Medals.”

• Josh’s 13-year tenure at Salesforce.

• The impact of Trailhead where it enabled many individuals to master Salesforce and earn their certifications.

• Josh’s transition from the Salesforce Developer Podcast to Salesforce's Admin Relations.

Links:

•    Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabirk/

In this episode, we welcome back Mohith Shrivastava to delve into the groundbreaking features of the Salesforce Winter '25 release. We discuss Agentforce, Salesforce's innovative AI agentic solution that leverages tools like Flows, Apex, and Prompt Builder to autonomously execute tasks. The episode also highlights advancements in Agent Builder (fka Copilot Builder) for creating assistive and autonomous agents, and the introduction of Agentforce for Developers.

Further, we explore significant updates in Salesforce Data Cloud, including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities, vector search, and the much-anticipated beta release of Data Cloud sandboxes. Finally, we touch on the new local development feature for Lightning Web Components (LWC) that provide real-time previews and rapid iterations. 

Tune in to learn how these Winter '25 updates can elevate your Salesforce development and data management capabilities.

Show Highlights:

• Enhancements to Copilot Builder with new topic-based action categorization for assistive and autonomous agents.
• A chat agent for Salesforce developers to explain code, write test cases, and generate documentation.
• Upcoming features like Data Cloud sandboxes for secure testing and new dependencies between Data Cloud and Salesforce platform packages for ISVs.
• Lightning Web Components (LWC) advancements, including local development for real-time previews and rapid iterations.
• New Apex feature preventing collection modification during iteration to enhance code stability and consistency.

Links:

• The Salesforce Developer’s Guide to the Winter ’25 Release - https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2024/09/winter25-developers

Let's unveil the captivating world of computer sciences, engineering, and Salesforce with our accomplished guest, Ludovic Meurillon. Prepare to be immersed in Ludovic's fascinating journey from his early gaming days to becoming a software engineer at Salesforce. Discover how he navigated joining the company during the pandemic and how he's currently thriving as a developer. Learn about the groundbreaking ApexMockery project that Ludovic and his team have been diligently working on and how it's revolutionizing the way developers decouple their code from the database and the Salesforce platform.

We also discuss the intricacies of the Apex stub API and how it can be leveraged in Apex Mocking. You'll understand the key distinctions between unit testing and integration testing and the array of benefits Apex Mocking offers developers. This episode is packed with knowledge and skills that will enhance your Salesforce development journey, whether you're a seasoned developer or just getting started. 

Get ready for an enlightening deep dive into the world of Salesforce development.

Show Highlights:

• The ApexMockery project, its development process, and its role in revolutionizing how developers decouple their code from the database and the Salesforce platform. 

• The importance of the Apex stub API and its utilization in Apex Mocking for writing swift, efficient, and effective unit tests. 

• The difference between unit testing and integration testing, and the benefits of Apex Mocking for developers. 

• The evolution of the Apex Mockery library, its use in creating custom matches, and the application of the arrange, act, and assert pattern in testing. 

• The purpose and advantages of using the Apex Mockery library in Salesforce development. 

• The future of the Apex Mockery Library.

Links:

• https://twitter.com/LudoMeurillon

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ludovicmeurillon/

• https://github.com/LudoMeurillon

• https://github.com/salesforce/apex-mockery

Listen in as we journey through the life and career of Nikos Mitrakis, Salesforce Developer and architect at Acmantix. This episode offers an insightful exploration of Nikos's journey, highlighting his passion for programming and how he found his way to Salesforce. Join us as Nikos discusses his open-source framework, Forceea Data Factory, an innovative tool he created that helps average developers create complex data.

Further along, we dive into the nitty-gritty of Forceea. We discuss its capabilities, including its ability to create static and serial data as well as complex reference data and outline its main use cases for developers and users in a sandbox environment. Hear about the benefits of using templates for modification and how the tool optimizes the process of creating complex data. 

Tune in for a compelling conversation that showcases the evolution of programming and its limitless possibilities.

Show Highlights:

• What Forceea Meets Tracking is and what its capabilities are

• The uses of Forceea, especially for developers needing to create data for unit tests and users in a sandbox environment

• The tool's efficiency in creating complex data swiftly and the advantages of using templates for modification are highlighted

• The future of Forceea

Links:

• Nikos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikosmitrakis/

• Forceea Data Factory: https://github.com/Forceea/Forceea-data-factory

• Dadela: https://github.com/Forceea/Dadela

• Acmantix: https://www.acmantix.com/

In this episode, we explore the technological journey of Nikita Prokopev, from his early fascination with DOS and PC games to his growth into a seasoned programmer. Listen in as Nikita reveals his transition into the Salesforce ecosystem, the evolution of the Salesforce platform, and how it shaped his professional trajectory.

Discover his motivations behind taking the entrepreneurial plunge and how he juggled multiple roles to make his venture a success. He underscores the importance of observability in the Salesforce platform and shares insights on how it can be utilized to improve performance and efficiency.

Nikita breaks down observability into various components and explains how it helps monitor the health of a system and prevent errors. Also, get valuable tips on how to maximize logging efficiency and performance to control data volume and avoid hitting platform limits. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of Nikita's journey in technology and valuable insights on Salesforce.

Show Highlights:

• The challenges he faced in the early days of Salesforce.

• The importance of observability in Salesforce.

• How observability can help monitor system health and prevent errors.

• How to maximize logging efficiency and performance to control data volume and avoid hitting platform limits are shared.

• The transition from a passion project to a professional career in technology.

Links:

• Nikita on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nprokopyev/

• Pharos AI: https://pharos.ai/

Remember the first time you received an email? The magic of instant communication transforming your work life? That's the journey we take you on as we explore the dynamic relationship between work and technology. From email evolution to instant communication tools like Slack, we’ll also tackle the unexpected mental emergency that a phone call can induce. 

Come along for a fascinating snapshot into the ever-evolving world of work.

Show Highlights:

• The transformation of work due to technological advancements.

• The mental shift that occurs when an unexpected work phone call comes in and how it impacts our modern work routines.

• The impact of remote work and video conferencing on work culture, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

Links:

• Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegerholdt/

• Gillian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliankbruce/

• Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabirk/

Listen in as Mohith Shrivastava, Lead Developer Advocate at Salesforce, and I unwrap the most anticipated features in the Winter ’24 release. We share our excitement for Dynamic Components in LWC, a feature that Mohith believes will revolutionize the game for ISV developers. We explore how Dynamic Components can store component definitions on the backend, allowing developers to render components at runtime and use dependency injection.

We continue our exploration with a look at how developers can use LWC recipes and the GraphQL wire adapter to create powerful table or grid views on the client side. The GraphQL APIs now support mutations and offer the potential for developers to use custom elements to incorporate third-party components and web standards for reusability. Plus, we discuss new mobile capabilities like document scanning, NFC, and biometric functionalities. 

We shed light on how DataWeave, a MuleSoft data transformation language, can be used in Apex and the improvements made to Queueable Apex. We also look at Code Builder, a browser-based development platform that aims to make developing Salesforce applications more straightforward than ever. 

Tune in and get a head start on what's coming in the Winter ’24 release!

Show Highlights:

• The exciting features in Salesforce's Winter ’24 release, focusing on the game-changing Dynamic Components in LWC for ISV developers.

• New mobile capabilities in the Winter ’24 release, including document scanning, NFC, and biometric functionalities.

• Examination of the Winter ’24 DataWeave and Apex enhancements.

• Overview of new features for Salesforce developers in the Winter ’24 release.

• Introduction to Salesforce Code Analyzer, a new VS Code extension, and how it improves the quality of code reviews.

Links:

• Mohith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohith-shrivastava-9a36464a/

• Blog: The Salesforce Developer’s Guide to the Winter ’24 Release

Join us on a captivating journey as we talk with Teo Dawn, a 21-year-old Salesforce developer from the Yucatan, about his experiences. Teo recalls his early days with computers, being inspired by his older brother to pursue a career in software engineering, and how he won a scholarship through Rafael Hernandez's nonprofit organization. Continuing his story, Teo shares his path to becoming a certified Salesforce developer. 

Listen as he delves into his Unity project, presented at Forcelandia, and his current internship experiences. In our chat with Teo, he also reveals his passion for music and how it has assisted him in his development career. He emphasizes the value of his piano skills in communicating tech topics to others, providing an unexpected bridge between the arts and technology. Make sure to tune in and discover more about Teo's journey in the Salesforce world and beyond!

Show Highlights:

• Teo's journey from a childhood fascination with computers to becoming a Salesforce developer, including his scholarship from a nonprofit organization.

• The guidance Teo received from his mentor Dr. Edgar Cambranes and the support from his brother.

• Teo's passion for piano and how it helped him bridge the gap between arts and technology, as well as communicate tech topics to others.

• Teo's current internship experiences and his future plans in the field of Salesforce development.

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teodorodawn/

• Github: https://github.com/Teodoro-lab

Join us as we chat with Kate Lessard, Delivery Team Manager at Arkus, about the critical role of user stories in collaboration and her unique journey into the Salesforce world. Starting her career in the fine arts, Kate made an unexpected transition into Salesforce consulting for nonprofits. In this episode, we have a discussion about the fundamentals of crafting compelling user stories. 

We talk about identifying personas, setting acceptance criteria, and how user stories facilitate teamwork. Discover how tools like Chat GPT can leverage AI to define personas and how to dissect solutions into manageable tasks. We also dive into the nuts and bolts of using user stories to foster effective collaboration. 

Learn how to pinpoint the atomic level of a good user story and the tools Kate recommends for tracking them. All this and more in this insightful conversation with Kate Lessard!

Show Highlights:

• The importance of creating good user stories for effective team collaboration.

• Detailed process of crafting user stories, including persona identification and setting acceptance criteria.

• The role of background stories and 'jobs to be done' in enriching the user story creation process.

• The importance of breaking down solutions into manageable tasks and the use of AI tools like Chat GPT in defining personas.

• Kate's personal recommendations for tracking user stories and her unique approach to user story creation.

• Discussion on leveraging acceptance criteria and creating backstories for personas to develop efficient user stories.

Links:

• Twitter account: @SalesforceK8

• LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salesforcekate/

• User Stories with examples and a template - Max Rehkopf, Atlassian: https://www.atlassian.com/agile/project-management/user-stories 

• http://stormotion.io/blog/how-to-write-a-good-user-story-with-examples-templates/ 

Join us as we take an insightful journey with Salesforce Architect, Mike Topalovich, who uncovers his unique career path, starting from his early introduction to coding as a young child, and leading up to his current role in the Salesforce ecosystem. As he recalls his days writing script language programs, working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and using Siebel systems, you'll gain a better understanding of how technology can be used to simplify and enhance people's lives.

In our conversation, Mike also discusses the convergence of AI and architectural design. As we tackle the concept of 'move fast, break stuff', we consider its relevance and limitations. We also delve into how AI is transforming the design process and the potential for feedback loops to foster positive human-machine interactions. Mike also shares his perspective on the importance of UX design in creating positive user experiences. This is an episode brimming with lessons, insights, and stories that are bound to resonate with developers, architects, and technology enthusiasts alike.

Show Highlights:

• Mike’s emphasis on user experience and technology's potential to simplify lives, illustrated by his stint with Siebel Systems.

• The intersection of AI and architectural design, and its implications in terms of innovation, risk management, and enhanced design processes.

• The potential threats of AI and quantum computing in the hands of state actors.

• Mike's thoughts on UX design principles, psychological safety, political safety, and their application in creating secure and efficient systems.

Links:

• LinkedIn account: https://linkedin.com/in/topalovich

Welcome to a futuristic ride through the world of composable commerce and technology with our distinguished guest, Nat Pavic, a senior manager of product management for Commerce Cloud. Nat, with a remarkable background in coding, programming, physics, quantum computing, and biophysics, is currently navigating the path of innovation for Commerce Cloud. He unravels the concept of composable commerce and reveals how this new approach provides unprecedented freedom and flexibility to customers, revolutionizing the e-commerce landscape.

We delve into the realm of group shopping and digital experiences, studying innovative applications like Slack’s group dressing room. The discussion leads us to witness the transformative potential of VR and AR in enhancing online shopping efficiency. We close with an exploration of the growing trend of shoppable ads and their potential to revolutionize media revenue. Don't miss this enlightening journey into the future of commerce!

Show Highlights:

• In-depth exploration of headless and composable e-commerce platforms, emphasizing the shift towards 'commerce anywhere' and the role of being an API-first company.

• Discussion on group shopping and digital experiences.

• Examination of the potential of VR and AR in the realm of online shopping.

• Analysis of the trend of shoppable ads and their potential to revolutionize media revenue.

• Conversation around AI's potential in e-commerce, specifically in terms of predictive AI, generative AI, and their roles in enhancing shopping experiences.

• Case studies and practical applications of the concepts in various industries, including retail, travel, and the media sector.

Links:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/NatalijaPavic 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natpavic/ 

Settle in for a fascinating voyage through time with our guest, Bhanudas Tanaka, who has experienced the transformative journey of computer programming from its early days right up to the AI-powered present. Let's whisk you into an intimate conversation where Bhanudas recounts how he reignited his mathematician father's passion for programming, a story that's sure to inspire. 

But what does the future of programming hold? Not one to rest on past laurels, Bhanudas shares his insights on the seismic shifts brought about by AI in the programming landscape. Think of metadata-aware tools and AI agents that monitor the org continuously - the future of Salesforce development is here. Bhanudas details the minimum skills required to jump onto the AI bandwagon and the importance of a hands-on approach. He paints an exciting picture of the potential of GPT and Flow GPT in generating code and metadata, opening up a world of possibilities. Join us as we navigate the riveting evolution of programming and AI through the eyes of Bhanudas.

Show Highlights:

• Discussion on Bhanudas's professional programming experiences, including creating a shipment manager for a local shipping company.

• Overview of the significant evolution of language models and AI over the past three decades, with a focus on the progression from text-based Eliza to current AI capabilities.

• Insights on AI's potential to revolutionize Salesforce development.

• The future of AI in Salesforce and the potential of GPT and Flow GPT to generate code and metadata.

• The changes in how we interact with technology, from searching in Google to prompting AI systems, and the possible future developments in this area.

Links:

• Julián on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/juliandavidduque

• Bhanudas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhanudastanaka/

Other Resources:

• Terranox - https://terranox.co/

• Purple Mai’a Foundation - https://purplemaia.org/olona-consultancy/

Resources Recommended By the Guest:

People to watch, follow, and digest:

1. Eliezer Yudkowsky -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd0yQ9yxSYY. 

2. Also interviewed by Lex - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaTRHFaaPG8

3. Andrej Karpathy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCc8FmEb1nY

4. Sam Altman - Lex interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Guz73e6fw

Content creators he loves:

1. Two Minute Papers - https://www.youtube.com/@TwoMinutePaper

2. Lex Fridman - amazing guests, very deep and thoughtful - https://www.youtube.com/@lexfridma

3. Asianometry - tech + Asia, lots of history, well written - https://www.youtube.com/@Asianometry

Alba Rivas, a passionate Salesforce Developer Advocate, shares her insights on the power of Salesforce's Models API. Discover how this API enables developers to seamlessly integrate large language models via REST API or Apex, eliminating the need for custom code or prompt templates. Alba highlights the critical role of the Einstein Trust Layer in ensuring data security, compliance, and efficient integration with external models. Gain knowledge on AI implementation, including maintaining audit trails, monitoring data for toxicity, and using human feedback for refining AI systems. 

We also explore the flexibility and capabilities of the Models API, offering a centralized interface for developers, along with resources like Postman collections, codeLive sessions, and an upcoming Trailhead module to support your journey in mastering generative AI with Salesforce.

Show Highlights:

• Discussion on the Einstein Trust Layer's role in ensuring security, data masking, and compliance for generative AI applications.
• Comparison between using prompt templates and the Models API.
• Importance of maintaining an audit trail.
• Focus on the value of human feedback in refining AI systems and the benefits of a centralized interface for developers.
• Insights into practical AI implementation and the flexibility offered by the Models API.

Links:

• Postman Collection - https://www.postman.com/salesforce-developers/workspace~34382471-0c97-40e5-a206-f947271665c4/collection/onih7sc/models-apis-beta
• Einstein Models API Documentation - https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/einstein/genai/guide/models-api.html
• codeLive: Exploring the New Models API (Beta) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf95_ghGeNI

Join us as we welcome Rob Cowell, a renowned DevOps advocate, on a journey through his personal and professional life in the world of programming and Salesforce. Starting with his early experiences tinkering with a Sord M5 computer, Rob shares how he transformed his passion for programming into a fulfilling career. We trace his evolution from working with Microsoft Access to .NET, C Sharp, and ultimately Salesforce and Apex, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the fast-paced tech industry.

Transitioning into his current role, Rob pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to be a DevOps advocate. Emphasizing the significance of communication, collaboration, small incremental changes, and automation, he discusses how a commitment to quality is integral to delivering excellent results. The episode also explores the role of a Salesforce DevOps engineer and how to adopt the required skill set.

Tune in to glean invaluable insights from Rob's vast experience and deep knowledge of the Salesforce ecosystem.

Show Highlights:

• The role and importance of Salesforce DevOps in delivering quality results efficiently.

• The key components of Salesforce DevOps include communication, collaboration, small incremental changes, and automation.

• The transition from traditional development stacks into Salesforce and the unique elements of the platform.

• The role of a Salesforce DevOps engineer and how to adopt the necessary skill set.

• The introduction of Rob Cowell's project, 'Shirt Force,’ which combines humor and philanthropy by creating Salesforce-themed t-shirts and donating the profits to charity.

• Insights into continuous improvement and the importance of adapting DevOps to your way of working.

Links:

• Julián on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/juliandavidduque

• Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-cowell/

• Rob's Twitter/X: @RobSalesforce

Other resources:

• Gearset: https://gearset.com/

• DevOps Launchpad free training and certs: https://devopslaunchpad.com/

• Shirtforce: https://shirtforce.org/

• His work on the demoscene: https://demozoo.org/sceners/32053/

Strap in for a journey that takes you from the vibrant streets of Mumbai to the bustling tech scene of London, led by none other than Akshata Sawant, Senior Developer Advocate at Salesforce. We had the pleasure of delving into her career, starting from her time as a Newellsoft ambassador to her current influential role at Salesforce, where she's truly making a difference by connecting with community groups across the globe. 

We dive deep into the robust capabilities of MuleSoft’s transformation from a simple API integration tool to a comprehensive automation suite. We also shine a light on Akshata co-authored book, "MuleSoft for Salesforce Developers," which is a must-read for anyone interested in this space. Whether you're a seasoned developer or a tech newbie, this episode's got insights and conversations that you just can't afford to miss!

Show Highlights:

• Akshata’s work as a MuleSoft ambassador and her current role as Salesforce's Senior Developer Advocate. 

• Deep dive into MuleSoft’s evolution from a simple API integration tool to a comprehensive automation suite. 

• Akshata's co-authored book, "Mulesoft for Salesforce Developers," offering insights for anyone interested in this field. 

• The potential game-changers from MuleSoft's Anypoint Platform, such as AI capabilities and a Visual Studio Code plugin.

• The capabilities of MuleSoft and the value of the platform for Salesforce developers. 

• The Anypoint platform's offerings and potential future developments.

Links:

• Twitter account: https://twitter.com/sawantakshata02

• Linkedin account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshatasawant02/

• Github account: https://github.com/devrelakshata

• MuleSoft for Salesforce Developers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/MuleSoft-Salesforce-Developers-practitioners-integrations/dp/1801079609/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mulesoft+for+salesforce+developers&qid=1687466406&sprefix=mulesoft+%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-1

Get set for an illuminating episode with our special guest, Jagannathan Padmanabhan, a security advocate within his current role as a Technical Architect at Salesforce. Jagan brings to the fore how he leverages Salesforce to tackle customer challenges and his fervor for platform security. He imparts his wisdom on the zero trust security model and the principle of least privilege, both key aspects in maintaining a safe platform.

Prepare to be enthralled as Jagan unveils the intricate workings of event-driven architecture within Salesforce. He walks us through the various events that transpire when a user logs in, accesses a list view, generates reports, or logs out. By the closure of our engaging conversation, you'll have a deeper comprehension of file and event security in Salesforce - a pertinent skill in this digital age. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!

Show Highlights:

• Discussion on Salesforce's zero trust security model and the principle of least privilege.

• Explanation of the role of Salesforce Shield in platform security.

• In-depth exploration of event-driven architecture within Salesforce.

• Introduction to the Event Monitoring add-on license, file events, and transaction security policies.

• How developers can use condition builders or Apex classes to send notifications and alerts.

• Importance of file and event security in Salesforce and its practical application in solving customer problems.

Links:

• Real-time event monitoring: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.real_time_event_monitoring_overview.htm&type=5

• Linkedin account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jagansalesforce

• FileEvents developer blog post: https://developer.salesforce.com/blogs/2023/06/using-fileevents-to-strengthen-file-security

Get ready for a lively discussion with our good friends and fellow admin evangelists, Mike Gerholdt and Gillian Bruce. Listen in as we tackle opinionated launches in the tech world and beyond, drawing from our experiences and personal thoughts. From the strange matrix of Coke Zero being the New Coke formula to the interesting fact that everyone has an opinion about Vision Pro, we share our insights and perspectives on how these launches draw attention and incite people's opinions.

We explore the long-rumored Apple car, the standardized dongles and charging ports, and the irony of gasoline pumps having a standard-size nozzle. Join us as we delve into the world of self-driving cars and how current roads are built for humans, not machines. Join us as we appreciate the diversity of experiences and opinions, building a deeper understanding of product appeal and consumer behavior.

Show Highlights:

• Opinionated product launches, including Coke Zero, Google Glass, and Vision Pro.

• Deep dive into the tech world with a focus on the rumored Apple car and the standardization of charging ports.

• Exploration of self-driving cars, roads built for machines, and the future of technology. 

• Debate on controversial tech launches like Tesla’s Autopilot and McDonald's McRib.

• Examination of the role of public opinion in product launches and its impact on the product's success and accessibility.

• The possibilities and challenges of AI in future product launches.

Links:

• Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegerholdt/

• Gillian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliankbruce/

• Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabirk/

Navigating through the tech world can feel like stepping into a labyrinth, but our guest Danielle Larregui has found her own unique path. Now a senior developer advocate for Marketing Cloud at Salesforce, Danielle shares her experiences that have transformed her from an accidental admin to a ‘casual teacher’ of developers. We chat about her intriguing journey into the tech world, her engaging first public speaking experience, and how she embraces each new challenge as an opportunity for growth. 

We also dive deep into the world of customer data platforms (CDPs). Our conversation with Danielle is inspiring and packed with insights, offering a fresh perspective on the evolving tech industry.

Show Highlights:

• Danielle’s journey from an "accidental admin" to a senior developer advocate for Marketing Cloud at Salesforce, discussing her career trajectory and experiences.
• The role of customer data platforms (CDPs) in consolidating customer data from disparate sources to provide a comprehensive view of the customer journey.
• How Salesforce's Commerce Cloud, Marketing Cloud, and Data Cloud can be used together to create intelligent, data-driven marketing campaigns.
• The significance of data in modern society and the differentiation between data lake objects and data objects.
• Exploration of Danielle's work with Marketing Cloud, including her projects involving AMPScript, server-side draw script, and the platform's REST and SOAP API.
• Discussion on the role of Data Cloud in AI and its future prospects.
• Introduction to Salesforce's Data Cloud, its structure, and its difference from standard Salesforce objects.
• Insight into the connection between Data Cloud and Tableau and how they work together for data analysis.

Links:

• Danielle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DnLarregui
• Danielle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-larregui-1567b973/ 

Join us in an enlightening discussion with Greg Bennett, a Director of Conversational Design at Salesforce. We cover how he applies his knowledge of interactional social linguistics and discourse analysis to create more natural and intuitive interactions with generative AIs. He also shares anecdotes from his tenure at Microsoft working on Cortana and how his insights from different writing systems in Japanese inform the design of chatbot dialogues.

In the second part of our discussion, Greg takes us through his path to Salesforce and how he made the business case for starting conversation design there. He provides insights into the careful design of prompts for models and model providers and the role of context in conversational AI. We then switch gears to explore the future of conversational design, the relevance of prompt engineering, and the exciting possibilities of generative AI. 

Listen in as we unpack the evolution of conversational interfaces, the future of human-AI interaction, and the emerging vernacular of AI slang.

Show Highlights:

• Greg's journey to Salesforce and his role in pioneering conversation design, particularly the design of prompts for models and model providers.
• The significance of context in conversational AI is discussed, along with the future of conversational design and the emerging discipline of prompt engineering.
• The potential of generative AI and its impact on Salesforce's user interface.
• The evolution of conversational interfaces, human-AI interactions, and the development of AI slang.
• The importance of prompt writing and its transformation into a fundamental skill for conversational AI is discussed, with insights into the system of prompt orchestration.

Links:

• Greg on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gabennett45
• Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gab45/

Get ready for an incredible journey as we chat with Jeremiah Peoples, a Senior Developer Advocate for Slack at Salesforce, and explore his fascinating career path. From his earliest computer encounters to joining the Air Force and teaching himself to code, Jeremiah's story will inspire you to chase your dreams. Learn how he became a freelance YouTuber and ultimately landed his dream job at Slack, where he now shares his unique perspective on the power of Slack as a development platform and its potential to make the other 98% of software more efficient.

But that's not all - we'll also dive deep into the world of building modular Slack applications. Jeremiah walks us through the new tools available for Slack developers, the starting point of the Slack CLI, and the different ways you can trigger a workflow. Discover the magic of Block Kit, a tool for building surfaces with JSON, and how modularity can be used to create powerful applications. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that will leave you eager to explore the endless possibilities of Slack development!

Show Highlights:

• Exploring the world of building modular Slack applications, including the new tools available for Slack developers.
• The three main pillars of modular Slack applications: functions, workflows, and triggers.
• The different ways to trigger a workflow in Slack, including event triggers, shortcut triggers, webhooks, and scheduled triggers.
• The upcoming features for Workflow Builder, including conditional logic and a greater contribution to the ecosystem of apps in Slack.

Links:

• Twitter account - https://twitter.com/we_the_peoples
• Linkedin account - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-peoples-7b2a65185/
• The next generation Slack Platform: https://api.slack.com/automation

Join us as we chat with Nicolas Vuillamy, CTO at Cloudity, about his journey from programming on a Commodore 64 at the age of 10 to becoming a professional developer at 16. Listen in as he shares his experience of discovering Salesforce and how the Trailblazer community played a crucial role in his growth. Nicolas talks about the inception of SFDX-Hardis, an open-source project designed to help developers and administrators implement CI/CD processes efficiently, filling the gap between expensive homemade pipelines and third-party tools.

In this episode, we explore how SFDX-Hardis allows administrators and developers to perform complex tasks with simple commands without needing extensive knowledge of Git or SFDX. Nicolas also highlights the importance of having a release manager with Git expertise to handle more complicated tasks like conflicts. Hear the story behind the creation of a purging flow versions command and how feedback from colleagues contributed to the SFDX-Hardis roadmap. 

Don't miss this fascinating conversation with Nicolas Vuillamy and learn more about the powerful SFDX-Hardis project!

Show Highlights:

• What SFDX-Hardis is and how it works.
• What the role of a release manager with Git experience is.
• The importance of the project being open source
• How new features are handled 

Links:

• Nicolas on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-vuillamy/
• Nicolas on Github: github.com/nvuillam
• Nicolas on Twitter twitter.com/NicolasVuillamy
• Nicolas' blog: nicolas.vuillamy.fr/
• SFDX-Hardis: https://sfdx-hardis.cloudity.com/

Listen in as Sridhar Raghavan, a Senior Director of Product Management at Salesforce, shares his journey from working in speech recognition two decades ago to generative AI today. We explore his early memories of playing Pac-Man on his dad's computer in the mid-90s, his break from Salesforce to pursue his own startup, and his strategy to get kids away from digital devices and into reading with AI.

Discover how Salesforce is pushing the boundaries of AI-assisted code generation for developers. We discuss parameter sizes, Salesforce's open-sourced 16 billion parameter model, and the importance of customizing and updating language models. Learn about the GPT (Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) acronym and how it is used to create the wiring necessary for a language model to become a learning engine. 

Don't miss this fascinating conversation with Sridhar Raghavan!

Show Highlights:

• Sridhar's strategy to get kids away from digital devices and into reading and how AI can help make reading more fun and engaging.
• How Salesforce open-sourced a 16 billion parameter model.
• The importance of customizing and updating language models.
• What the open source project CodeGen is and how it is used to generate code in six popular programming languages.
• How Salesforce is enhancing CodeGen to generate Apex code, LWC, and flows.

Links:

• Sridhar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sridharraghavan/

Join us for a virtual coffee catch-up as we discuss our activities since the last Trailblazer DX conference, as well as the upcoming Salesforce release, along with a friendly debate on coffee versus tea. We share our excitement about sharing information about releases and share some tips on how to best prepare for it.

In the second half of this episode, we explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating content and the need for critical thinking despite AI's ability to summarize content. We also discuss the difficulty of using AI to create content such as jokes, blog posts, and even fantasy stories. Finally, we share our experiences with ChatGPT, Bard, and Simon and Garfunkel even make an appearance! Don't miss this engaging and informative episode!

Show Highlights:

• Covering Salesforce releases
• AI's potential for content generation, critical thinking, and joke/story creation
• Crafting quality submissions for CFPs

Links:

• Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegerholdt/
• Gillian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilliankbruce/
• Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabirk/

In this episode, we sit down with expert Akshata Sawant to discuss MuleSoft Intelligent Document Processing (IDP). Akshata delves into how IDP uses AI to extract and organize data from a variety of unstructured documents, such as purchase orders, invoices, and driving licenses, using AWS Textract for exact information extraction. The discussion highlights IDP's seamless integration with multiple systems via REST API endpoints and its application in automating the processing of daily invoices received via email. 

Learn about IDP's ability to handle different document structures without needing multiple templates and the crucial role of human oversight when the AI's confidence ratio falls below 80%, ensuring accuracy and reliability. This episode offers a comprehensive look at how IDP can revolutionize document workflows, balancing automation with human intervention, and provides valuable resources for further learning.

Show Highlights:

• Using AI to extract and organize data from unstructured documents
• Integration of AWS Textract for exact information extraction and seamless integration via REST API endpoints
• Accessing and using IDP through the Anypoint Platform with ease
• Managing different document structures without multiple templates and the role of human oversight for accuracy

Links:

• Getting Started with Intelligent Document Processing: Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi160vy7gg4
• Getting Started with Intelligent Document Processing: Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGvAypuzAvw
• How to Get Started With Intelligent Document Processing - https://blogs.mulesoft.com/dev-guides/how-to-get-started-with-intelligent-document-processing/

We are back with part two of our interview with Marisa Hambleton. In part one, we discussed entrepreneurship, its pros and cons, and how the pandemic created new challenges for her.

In part two, we get into the beginning days of Cactusforce and how it organically grew from a group of developers at Happy Hour to a conference with hundreds of participants in just a few short years. She also discusses how their conference had to pivot from in-person to virtual in 2021 and how they were able to allow participants to interact with the speakers and be involved.

If you missed part one, go back to episode 178 and start there. Otherwise, enjoy part two!

Show Highlights:

• How Happy Hour amongst developers turned into a conference
• How people may not be dedicated to one technology
• The content Marisa curated at Cactusforce conferences
• How to solve dense problems and get advanced developers on stage
• How Cactusforce has grown since 2020 and managed virtual conferences in 2021

Links:

• Twitter account: https://twitter.com/marisahambleton
• LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisahambleton/
• Cactusforce: https://www.cactusforce.com/
• Shirts: https://www.cactusforce.com/products
• Marisa’s company, MH2X: https://www.mh2x.com/
• More about Marisa: https://www.marisaforce.com/

In this episode, we have a conversation with Marisa Hambleton, owner of MH2X, which helps companies achieve their strategic goals through technology by building solutions and providing consulting services. Although presented with the opportunity to work for a corporate firm, Marisa chose the entrepreneurial route.

This episode is part one of a two-part interview. In part one, we discuss Marisa’s early years and how she was introduced to Salesforce. We also talk about why she chose to own her own company and the pros and cons of entrepreneurship.

Get to know Marisa in this episode, and don’t miss part two in episode 179!

Show Highlights:

• How Marisa was introduced to Salesforce
• The incentive to stay in a world of entrepreneurship
• Marisa’s advice for others who want to branch out on their own
• Sticking with entrepreneurship and knowing when it’s not working
• How the pandemic has created new challenges and solutions for her

Links:

• Twitter account: https://twitter.com/marisahambleton
• LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisahambleton/
• Cactusforce: https://www.cactusforce.com/
• Shirts: https://www.cactusforce.com/products
• Marisa’s company, MH2X: https://www.mh2x.com/
• More about Marisa: https://www.marisaforce.com/

In this episode, we have a conversation with Alicia Teo about Custom Property Editors and how you can use them to create powerful user interfaces to configure your web components. Alicia started as an intern at Commerce Cloud while pursuing her MBA and is now a Product Manager for Experience Builder here at Salesforce.

On the Experience Builder team, Alicia makes creating websites quicker and easier for admins. Custom Property Editors enable developers to create components that are even easier to use than Experience Builder, leading to fewer user errors and fewer complaints.

Enjoy!

Show Highlights:

• What custom properties are
• The problem Custom Property Editor is meant to solve
• The new lightning property types and their benefits
• How to override the date time picker with a new more robust one
• What needs to be done to a lightning web component to make it a Custom Property Editor
• The possibility of reusing the code

Links:

• Alicia’s Twitter Account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-teo/
• Custom Property Editor Docs: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/component-library/documentation/en/lwc/lwc.use_flow_custom_property_editor_lwc_example

Ananya Jha is a Product Manager working on the IDE experience here at Salesforce. This means she gets to dive into all the cool new features that Salesforce releases in its extensions and eventually serves you through VSCode and Code Builder.

In this episode, we talk about the current state of Code Builder, the Salesforce IDE, and some of its great tools that can benefit you. We also discuss the advantages of using a repository as a source of truth when using Code Builder or Salesforce IDE, PMD’s relationship with IDE, and the Apex Replay Debugger.

Show Highlights:

• The core desktop experience with Salesforce IDE
• What the Code Builder technology looks like and how it can be accessed today
• Other tools inside the IDE Ananya recommends for people to track conflicts and changes
• Ananya’s favorite extensions and tools
• Query Builder and how it works within the IDE
• How the Apex Replay Debugger Works

Links:

• Ananya on LinkedIn
• Ananya on Twitter
• Article on the Org Colors Plugin