#025 - Modernize Your Embedded System with AI / ML

Jacob Beningo explores how artificial intelligence and machine learning can modernize embedded systems development, sharing practical examples and dispelling myths about AI's applicability to embedded development. He demonstrates how AI can accelerate development workflows, from requirements gathering to code generation, while emphasizing an iterative, agile approach rather than fully autonomous AI development.

Key Takeaways:

• AI can provide 2x performance improvements for embedded development teams through automation and assistance
• Use AI iteratively in small problem spaces rather than attempting fully autonomous agentic workflows
• Create specialized AI tools for specific embedded systems domain areas like requirements gathering and code reviews
• AI can help reduce debugging time, which typically consumes 20-40% of development effort
• Machine learning inference can run effectively on resource-constrained 16-bit microcontrollers
• Teams ignoring AI adoption risk being left behind as the technology becomes mainstream in embedded development
• Focus on identifying repetitive daily tasks that can benefit from AI automation
• Modern microcontrollers with neural processing units enable sophisticated on-chip machine learning applications
• AI works best as a productivity multiplier rather than a replacement for embedded developers
• Start with low-hanging fruit like debugging assistance and code review automation