Hello Reader,

On Threads last week, I raised the need to force consumer tech manufacturers to bring back repairability and upgradability to their products, and it sparked some debate. It also highlighted the difference between the context of developed vs. emerging economies. I invite you to share your thoughts on the topic.​

Just an update on the Quantum Computing course I'm taking, we just finished the fifth session, and I'm completely lost in the Math now. 🫠 I do intend to power through though, and I will leverage AI to teach me the things I find hard to understand. Best of luck to me!

This week's newsletter still features a lot of AI stuff, with ChatGPT's Ghibli image generation taking center stage. I also share my technique in fighting demotivation. Hope you like it, and please tell your friends to sign up too! And as always, I'm keen to hear what you think about this week's digest.

Thank you for reading, and see you again next week*!

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Cheers,

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Rem "Kuya Dev" Lampa

​Follow My Socials​

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* Wife and I are going on a trip next weekend, so there's a chance there might not be a newsletter next week. I'll try my best, but giving you a heads up just in case.

News and Updates

​ChatGPT allows generation of Ghibli-style images, capturing netizens' delight while raising ethical concerns​ (The Associated Press)

Being a huge Studio Ghibli fan, this issue is very dear to me.

I'm not quite sure where I stand here though. I believe that AI-generated art has the potential to increase the value of genuine and original human art. And while I won't partake in the fad myself, I like that it is helping grow the Studio Ghibli fanbase even more.

Art style cannot be copyrighted, and should not be copyrighted. But if a huge corporation like OpenAI is hiding behind this premise to justify possible unethical practices, that's where we need to draw the line.

​College student creates an AI app that help software developer applicants ace Leetcode tech exams​ (Youtube: Fireship)

I share the same sentiments with Fireship. F**k leetcode exams!!! But it's still not a valid reason to cheat and ruin one's integrity.

Ironically, the continued existence of leetcode tech exams validates the continued existence of software engineers.

​Bill Gates says AI will replace humans for most things, except for coders, energy specialists, and biologists​ (Windows Central)

What I really don't like about these sweeping statements is that they don't account for the dynamics of third world countries like the Philippines.

Let's say AI does replace all humans for 99% of jobs, what happens to countries like ours? How would the economy work if people don't have income that allows them to buy stuff they need?

Proponents say the solution is Universal Basic Income. Maybe it is. But in corruption-plagued Philippines, really? All that will do is grant the government and the elite more power to control the people.

Well, at least Bill said that coders won't go away any time soon. Good news for us, I guess. 😅

More News

• ​World Server Throwing Championships - Yep! You read that right. 🤣
• ​FREE COURSE ALERT: DICT Tech4ED Online Courses for April​
• ​HACKATHON ALERT: National AI Prompt Design Challenge​
• ​KakaComputer Podcast episodes 59 & 60 released​
• ​Vote Report PH is looking for volunteers​
• ​Join in the Filipino ICT Professionals Survey 2025​

Subscriber Corner

That's normal. If you're doing the same old thing everyday, you're bound to get tired of it eventually. Sadly, it's our job. And a job is rarely meant to be enjoyable, it's often just something that we need to do to be able to pay the bills and buy the things that we want. Even in my current job, which is the best job I've ever had, there are days when I just don't have the drive.

What works for me is having purpose. Knowing how to use a hammer is not going to be fulfilling. The fulfillment comes from what you build using the hammer. Like the hammer, coding at its very essence is just a tool, it's not the end by itself. I find purpose from the things that my code enable, and the impact the software I helped build brings to people.

I also have hobbies outside work. I swim, I create content, I maintain a newsletter, I travel. My day job pays for all my hobbies. My hobbies help me refresh for my day job.

Do you have a question or a message for Kuya Dev? Send them! (I will choose a few to feature here each week, you will remain anonymous of course.)