GitHub Integrates OpenAI's ChatGPT into its Copilot Coding Tool

Microsoft’s GitHub unit has announced the addition of a new chat and voice feature to its Copilot coding tool, powered by OpenAI’s language-generation technology. The new version, called Copilot X, enables programmers to ask for assistance with coding tasks, including explanations of code segments, ways to test the code, and bug fixes. Users can also give instructions or ask questions using their voice.

GitHub released the original Copilot product in 2021, featuring a code completion tool that suggested snippets of programming code as developers typed. By November of that year, hundreds of thousands of developers had adopted the tool. The new Copilot X chat feature uses OpenAI’s GPT-4 language model, which offers higher accuracy rates than previous AI technology.

GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke demonstrated the new feature to his child by asking it how to program a snake game in Python. He believes the technology could be used to revolutionize the way people learn programming. “It removes the frustration from learning because as a student, the most frustrating part is in the beginning of semester everybody needs to have the same knowledge level, but they don't,” he said. “With Copilot, you can actually ramp them up really quickly.”

GitHub is planning to use different AI models for different tasks. The code-completion features will continue to use older technology that optimizes speed, while the chat features will use the newer GPT-4 model. Developers can sign up for a waitlist to preview the new service.

As OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot gains popularity, companies are increasingly exploring the integration of OpenAI’s technology into their products and business strategies. Rivals such as Alphabet’s Google are also releasing competing chatbot products.

GitHub’s addition of a chat and voice feature to its popular Copilot coding tool is set to revolutionize the way developers learn programming, providing an easier way to access coding knowledge and expertise.