Torc blog

Insights and resources from Torc leadership, the Torc community, and industry leaders.

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In the dynamic landscape of contemporary employment, the traditional concept of 'work' is undergoing a radical overhaul. Driven by technological innovation, shifts in cultural values, and the impact of recent global events, we're witnessing a fundamental transformation in the nature and expectations of work. This discussion explores the multifaceted dimensions of the future workplace, shedding light on the technological advancements, cultural shifts, and economic changes that are reshaping our professional environments.

Technological Advancements: The Dual Edges of Progress

The narrative of the workplace of the future is incomplete without addressing the critical role of technology. The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation technologies is redefining operational efficiencies and sparking discussions about the future of human labor.

The Dual Nature of AI and Automation

The integration of AI into everyday business processes is transforming the landscape of numerous industries. From enhancing customer service experiences through sophisticated chatbots to refining logistics with predictive algorithms, the application of AI is evident. While this surge in automation promises unparalleled efficiency, it concurrently fuels anxieties surrounding the displacement of traditional jobs and ethical quandaries.

Despite these concerns, it's vital to perceive AI and automation as augmentative rather than merely a substitute. While certain tasks become automated, new roles that require human oversight, ethical judgment, and AI maintenance are emerging. The real challenge and opportunity lie in equipping the current workforce with the skills necessary to thrive alongside these technological counterparts.

Embracing Remote and Flexible Work Cultures

The pivot to remote work, accelerated by recent global circumstances, has dispelled many myths associated with off-site productivity and collaboration. This shift highlights benefits such as flexibility and improved work-life balance but also underscores potential drawbacks like diminished company culture and increased isolation.

In response, hybrid work models are gaining traction, attempting to marry the advantages of both in-office and remote work. Implementing these models successfully hinges on robust technological frameworks, transparent communication, and an organizational culture that supports flexibility.

Cultural Evolution: Work Redefined

Beyond technology, the future of work is profoundly influenced by evolving societal expectations and values. This includes a growing demand for meaningful employment, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and environmental stewardship.

The Search for Purpose in Work

An emerging workforce trend is the prioritization of meaningful and purpose-driven work. Employees, particularly from younger generations, are increasingly seeking roles that offer more than financial compensation—they want to contribute positively to society. This shift necessitates that organizations revisit and realign their missions to embody values that resonate with a purpose-driven workforce.

Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The imperative for genuine diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies has never been clearer. An inclusive work environment that celebrates diverse perspectives is essential for fostering innovation and addressing complex challenges. Forward-thinking organizations are integrating DEI principles into their foundational practices, recognizing that true diversity extends beyond token gestures.

Commitment to Sustainability

The imperative for sustainable business practices is influencing workplace norms and operations. Today's workforce expects organizations to act responsibly towards the environment, prompting a shift towards sustainability in business models, office designs, and operational practices. This trend is not merely ethical but also pragmatic, as sustainable practices often lead to financial benefits and enhanced brand reputation.

Economic Shifts: Rethinking Employment Models

The rise of the gig economy underscores a significant shift in employment paradigms, marked by an increase in freelance and contract-based work. This shift offers flexibility but also raises questions about job security and workers' rights.

Innovations in Compensation and Benefits

The changing landscape of work necessitates a fresh approach to compensation and benefits, particularly for non-traditional workers. Organizations are being challenged to devise flexible and inclusive benefit structures that cater to a diverse workforce, including remote and contract workers.

The Imperative of Lifelong Learning

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, continuous learning becomes essential. Both educational institutions and corporations must adapt, offering programs and training that equip individuals with the necessary skills to navigate the changing workplace. This encompasses not only technical abilities but also soft skills like creativity, adaptability, and critical thinking.

Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace

The conversation about the future of work is incomplete without addressing the critical aspect of mental health and wellbeing. As work environments and expectations change, so too does the need for comprehensive mental health support and initiatives.

Prioritizing Employee Wellbeing

Organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of employee well-being as a fundamental component of productivity and retention. The shift towards more flexible work arrangements has highlighted the need for balance between work and personal life. Companies are adopting policies that support mental health days, encourage regular breaks, and provide access to mental health resources and counselling services. This holistic approach to employee well-being enhances individual health and contributes to a more supportive and productive work environment.

Creating a Culture of Openness and Support

A vital element in fostering a healthy workplace is the creation of a culture that encourages openness and support. This involves breaking down the stigmas associated with mental health, promoting open conversations, and ensuring that leaders are trained to recognize and address mental health issues. By prioritizing a supportive environment, organizations can create a space where employees feel valued and understood, which in turn fosters loyalty and engagement.

Global Collaboration and Cultural Sensitivity

As businesses continue to operate on a global scale, the ability to collaborate across geographical and cultural boundaries becomes increasingly important. The future of work is not confined to local or national contexts, but is inherently global.

Leveraging Technology for Global Teams

Technological advancements have made it possible for teams to collaborate from different parts of the world. Tools such as video conferencing, real-time messaging, and collaborative platforms have bridged the gap between distant team members. However, effective global collaboration requires more than just technology; it demands clear communication strategies, shared goals, and an understanding of different time zones and working styles. Companies that can effectively navigate these challenges will thrive in the global marketplace.

Democratization of Work: Empowerment Through Technology

The democratization of work refers to the shifting power dynamics in the workplace, where individuals have greater control over their work, thanks to technological advancements. This shift is redefining traditional hierarchies and empowering employees at all levels.

Empowering Employees with Technology

Technology has levelled the playing field in many respects, allowing individuals to access information, learn new skills, and connect with others worldwide. This access empowers employees to take initiative, make informed decisions, and contribute more significantly to their organizations. Companies that embrace this democratization trend often see increased innovation, employee satisfaction, and a more dynamic workplace culture.

The Rise of the Individual Contributor

In line with the democratization of work, there is a growing recognition of the value of individual contributors. Not everyone aspires to be a manager, and the future of work acknowledges that individuals can have substantial impacts through their expertise and creativity. Organizations are developing paths for advancement that allow for specialization and recognition without requiring a traditional managerial route, valuing different types of contributions equally.

Shaping the Future Together

As we navigate through the complexities of the future of work, it becomes clear that this future is not a predetermined destination, but a journey shaped by our collective actions, values, and innovations. The workplace of tomorrow will be characterized by its adaptability, diversity, and humanity.

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The Evolution of Workplaces

In the dynamic landscape of contemporary employment, the traditional concept of 'work' is undergoing a radical overhaul. Driven by technological innovation, shifts in cultural values, and the impact of recent global events, we're witnessing a fundamental transformation in the nature and expectations of work.

remote work
This week’s interview subject is Angel de Jesus Jimenez Escobar, who came in second place for our excellence award (based on score) in January! Angel is an experienced coder from Colombia who has been programming for around 11 years and has worked at several different companies, in multiple industries and has utilized many different technologies and programming languages. We spoke about his background and his years of experience.
Q: Can you tell me about your background?

A: I have worked in a bunch of different places, mostly on the back-end side of things. I know a lot about Python, GraphQL, and JavaScript. The last job I had was with Pinterest. And before that, I was with this company called Merqueo back home in Colombia. It's a bit like Amazon but for groceries, delivering stuff quickly from different cities. But, you know, not every city could get things so fast – we were special for doing it super quick, in 24 hours, or sometimes even three hours if it was close.

At Merqueo, I did a lot of work changing how we did things and worked with all sorts of tech stuff, like PHP, Python, Go, and a bunch of Amazon services like SNS, SQS, Lambda, DynamoDB, and RabbitMQ. I was there for like two years.

Then, before Merqueo, I was with this other place that did stuff with cryptocurrency – we sold trading products and digital things. I used PHP, Laravel, Python, and worked with Digital Ocean. That job was shorter, about six months, but I learned a lot.

I started messing around with coding about 11 years ago when I was in university. That's where I really got into it, using different kinds of coding languages like Java, C#, Python, and PHP. I worked for this one company in Barranquilla for about five years, doing a ton with PHP, JavaScript, and using jQuery a lot since it was big back then. I’ve done some front-end stuff too, like with Angular, but I really like working on the back-end more.

I also spent a lot of time in school. I got my degree from Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar during the pandemic, in 2022. It took me a long time, like ten years, because I started with a technical degree, then worked a bit, and then went back to finish at the university. I had to spend two years just on my thesis. And though I was born in Cartagena, I've been living in Bogotá for about seven years now.

Q: What future initiatives or features are you most excited about within the Torc ecosystem?

A: I'm really excited about how Torc tells us about new jobs. They keep the website updated and send out emails when there are new job openings. I like that the people at Torc always let you know what's happening. They tell you if a job is already taken or if it’s still up for grabs. That’s not something you see everywhere. Usually, you apply and then hear nothing back, just left waiting.

With other places I've applied, sometimes I wait forever without any news, not knowing if the job's gone. But at Torc, they keep me updated about what’s going on with the jobs I applied for. It feels more open and clear. I think it would be great if more places worked like this. I hope Torc just keeps improving this system in the future more and more.

Q: Can you talk about a time when Torc’s tools and community help make a big difference for you professionally?

A: Yeah, a big thing for me was figuring out which jobs are needed right now and what tech skills they want. When looking for jobs and talking to people at Torc, I saw they really care about certain tech stuff, like PHP, Python, and AI things lately.

So, what I did was start learning about the tech they wanted, like NumPy and other computer things I hadn’t really used before. I did this because these skills were important for the jobs I was looking at. Learning the right skills for the job has been super important.

Also, I started using Codealike to see how I use my time when working on different things. It’s not just about counting hours; it’s more about seeing when I’m actually doing my best work and not just stuck in meetings or something. This helped me figure out that I’m not really coding non-stop all day because of other stuff I have to do.

Using Codealike, I found out I do better work later in the day, like after lunch till evening. So, I changed my schedule to do meetings in the morning and keep the later hours for the serious coding work. This change, based on what I learned from Codealike, helped me work better and focus on stuff I wasn’t doing great at before, like working in the morning.

And another thing, Codealike shows not just how I work but how everyone in the project is doing. This is good because it means everyone knows who’s doing what and how much. It’s been really good for working as a team and making sure everyone knows who did what.

Q: Why would you recommend Codealike to other developers?

A: I tell other coders to use Codealike because it really shows you what’s going on in a project. It tells you who is working on what and how long they spend on each thing. This helps us see how the team works together and how everyone helps out.

Like, if we’re both working on something using Codealike, I can see when you’re doing your work, and you can see when I’m doing mine. This is super helpful for planning when we can work together, especially when we're not in the same time zone.

But Codealike isn’t just for keeping track of time; it also helps us understand why maybe someone isn’t coding much. Maybe they’re stuck in a bunch of meetings, or they’re leading the team and have other stuff to do. Sometimes, I’m not writing code because I have to meet with clients or do interviews, so I only get to review code or work on backend things.

Codealike also shows when we do our best work and how we spend our coding time, on what files or tasks. Knowing this can help us plan better and work smarter.

Q: How has Codealike changed the way you manage your time and stay focused when you code?

A: Codealike really changed how I look at my time and keep focused, especially with its Chrome extension that shows where I spend time online. At first, I noticed I was using too much time on Facebook and Instagram, sometimes a whole hour on each. When I saw that, I knew I had to cut down to get more work done.

I was thinking, if Codealike could also check what I do on my phone or when I play games on my Xbox, it would be even better. It's like I want to see everything I do in one spot, not just the coding part. If it showed everything, like phone time or gaming, I could really see where all my time goes.

It would be great if there was one place, like that magic ring from “The Lord of the Rings,” that could show me everything I do – coding, surfing the web, or playing games. That way, I could really get a handle on my time. One tracking tool to rule them all!

And if Codealike could work with other stuff I use, like Xbox or Microsoft Word, I’d see how I split my day between different stuff, like playing, coding, or writing.

The main thing is it should do this all by itself, so I don’t miss anything or trick myself. What I want is a system that keeps track of all I do, on every device and app, and puts it in one place. This would give me a full view of how I use my time, which is super important for doing more and staying sharp.

Angel’s wide-ranging experience and versatility as a coder is impressive. He is a high performer who's work-rate and productivity has only been improved by his utilization of Codealike. I found him to be an interesting person to speak with, who has a fascinating story and a lot of things of value to say.

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Codealike Interview: January Excellence Award Runner-Up

This week’s interview subject is Angel de Jesus Jimenez Escobar, who came in second place for our excellence award (based on score) in January! Angel is an experienced coder from Colombia who has been programming for around 11 years and has worked at several different companies, in multiple industries and has utilized many different technologies and programming languages. We spoke about his background and his years of experience.

Developer
The second in our series of spotlight interviews with members of the Torc team, I spoke with Torc CTO and Co-founder David Messinger about his time before Torc, his thoughts on the changes in remote working over the last two decades, the Torc community’s impact and influence on its platform, and more.

Q: So the first question is, can you please tell me a bit about your background pre-Torc? 

A: I was originally a computer science major. I later worked primarily as a back-end developer. I found myself in the right place at the right time, working with some of the cutting-edge tech of the era on some of the first e-commerce sites, such as priceline.com and Best Buy. After that, I left and went to Topcoder, which was one of the earliest gig economy remote worker platforms out there. We were at the forefront of using developers from around the world before it was really popular.

After that, I went to a company called Appirio, where we started another crowdsourcing company called Cloudspokes, which was built inside Appirio. Appirio was the first true cloud SI. We did Salesforce, Google, and Workday, and we were ahead of the curve on cloud computing at that point…it was very early on when cloud and Salesforce first started.

So, I’ve been around for some good times, and I’m excited again right now with Torc and seeing AI be the next big wave. Being involved in that is another really important moment in my career and in tech as a whole.

Q: I saw on your bio page on the ‘about Torc’ section of the site that you've been working with remote developers for 25-plus years. What initially attracted you to that? 

A: If you think about it, being on the internet was kind of the great equalizer. For example, when I was in high school, and later in college, I was a pretty decent poker player. But that was when I was playing against people in my college, or in my dorm room. Then, once I went online, I played against people that were 100 times better than I was.

Yeah, I’ve had the exact same experience.

I think everyone has. And not just with poker, even something like playing Madden football for example. Same situation.

When we started Topcoder early on, it grew quickly, very organically, and went international. And when you see the talent of some of these people…it’s amazing to see another person you’re working with who lives halfway around the world is 8x better than you. It's a humbling experience. I always like to work with the best people possible. It makes you learn and creates a more fun environment.

Absolutely. I mean, talent can come from anywhere. And having access to that is a great thing for everyone. Plus, some people don't have the opportunity to work for companies like Torc in their home countries, remote working opportunities have changed that.

Yeah, and I think if you think about it, Salesforce was one of the first platforms where it’s irrelevant if you're a billion-dollar company, or you're a three-person mom-and-pop shop. Either way, you get access to the same high-quality software. And SaaS and cloud became a great democratization of giving anyone access to the same resources. So have advancements in global internet speed.

I think a company like Torc, where we give these same opportunities to people regardless of their location or any other demographic metric, in combination with giving them the same power of being able to work online with the best cloud tools available – like AI tools – is pretty amazing. It’s proof you can have, basically, the same working experience that you may have with your best friend who lives down the street, that you go grab a bite with after work, as you can with someone that's on the other side of the world. Such as us right now, since we’re conducting this interview from different continents! That's a great thing. 

Q: And how do you feel remote working has changed over the last two decades?

A: I think, going back two decades ago, if you walked into a CTO’s office and pitched the idea of hiring a remote developer, they're thinking, “Wait…You're going to give my code to someone who’s halfway around the world and they’re going to work on their personal computer, and they need to get access to my network and to my computers?” 

They’d look at you like you were crazy.

Things have changed, and I think Uber was the first example where people realized, ok, these people have cars, access is easier. The overall quality and experience is better, and people just enjoy it a lot more than the old-fashioned way. That made it a lot more exciting, and a lot more simple when you go into an office to pitch, and you say, hey, we have an Uber version of this or an Uber version of that.

The industry is moving that way with offshoring. People have become more and more open to it. With the cloud, and SaaS, the ability to spin up developer environments becomes easier. And then the pandemic hit and everybody was forced to work from home, forced to work remotely. At that point, people realized, ok, if I'm already working remotely with ‘Debbie Developer’ and ‘John Java,’ why can’t I work with a person based in Argentina. It's the same time zone, and it’s still the same working experience, more or less. So I think the pandemic multiplied the ability to go more permanently remote tenfold.

Q: Can you share how community feedback has influenced Torc’s product development and innovation?

A: It drives the vast majority of what we're trying to do. Our profiles for example. We're trying to build the best profiles out there and get feedback from the community on what people think should go on the profile. Our goal is to make a developer’s Torc profile exportable, so they can even apply for a job that is not supplied by Torc if they want. We are a developer first type company.

We recently started giving developers access to Google certifications, because we were hearing how freelancers don’t have access to educational options. So, we deliver educational options right to our developer community. We just launched a store, which came after we received feedback that people wanted some more Torc swag. For Torc employees, they get free licenses to AI and productivity tools.

The other important piece that we're trying to work on is the interview process. When we first started, we talked to people and the feedback we got was, “OK, I'm interviewing for five or six jobs. Each of these jobs has five or six different interview processes. Each one wants me to do a take-home test.”

That’s a lot! When you think about that, if you put yourself in the developer’s shoes, they have to do four or five interviews, an hour and a half each, plus two two-hour take-home tests, but they’re also applying for five or six jobs. So that's taking almost two weeks of their time, they’re essentially working the hours of a full-time job just to do those applications.

That's something we try to focus on…doing assessments that can be used at multiple interviews. In fact, we have a client for whom we've now staffed, I think, nine people. When they came to us, they gave us an example of the standard interview process they were using, which they had used with other partners. It was a seven-step interview process. It included a two-and-a-half-hour take-home test, plus an hour-and-a-half programming test, plus an hour-long technical interview test, plus a half-hour culture interview.

And when you added it all up, those seven interviews were close to 11 hours worth of work, for both the client and the developer. And what we were able to do was say, “Look at our profiles. Look at our assessments. Look at how we have the GitHub stats.” With all this info, we can say that this developer is a fit. We were able to get them to shrink their process down to get it done in one interview. One culture interview for an hour and a half. That’s it.

So developers in the Torc Community skip a good 10 or so hours of interviews. And that client is having a success rate right now where they're hiring probably one out of every three people they're talking to, which is a better ratio than they had before. But even with that ratio, what now becomes maybe a five-hour commitment, was in the past for them a full work week, it was 35 plus hours.

A starting point for us was always to ask, “What makes the developer experience that much better?” And then, we push that to the clients. We say, “Hey, you want the best developers? Well, developers don't want to put up with this stuff, they want things streamlined. And here's how we're going to structure the platform to make their lives better.” 

That was also where I came in. You know the traditional resume matching where it's keywords and that stuff? You tend to miss great talent. We have some AI tools that are more unique in how we match people, but even still we're always keeping the human element in the loop with white glove treatment. The community model where we're meeting and learning the likes and needs of these community members so that we can still scale, but still give more of that white glove treatment to the developers, is proving successful – and a differentiator for Torc from other talent platforms. If the developers are happy, it makes clients happy. 

As for the roadmap and platform, anytime anyone wants to have their say, feel free to send a message to dave@torc.dev. I’m always willing to listen to our community for ideas on improvements. We're here to exist for the community. So the more feedback the better.

Q: Speaking of AI, how do you see AI and emerging technologies shaping the future of the industry and the Torc community?

A: I think there are very few points in your career where you’re at the start of really, truly revolutionary things. I am an AI optimist. I think it's just going to get better and better and better. And I don't think AI is going to replace anyone's jobs per se. But rather, people who know how to use AI will replace people in jobs that don't use AI. I’ve been in the industry for over two decades now, and I think every time a new technology comes out, even back when it was a horse and buggy, there are always some old guys sitting there saying, “This will never be better than what we had before.” Or, “This is all there is, and it will never change or improve.” And I think that's something we always need to be cognizant of. When there’s a big new tech, what we need to do is find the best ways to use it and apply it. 

ChatGPT for example, I've used it in situations where I've said, “OK, here's a data set. Visualize the trend line on this, or show me all this data on a map.” And it will generate Python code for me. I get an image. I can put that in a Python notebook. And that's almost instantaneous. I can get that stuff done and move on to the next thing rapidly. I've used various tools to know about running bedding on my code and to be able to go back and say, “Hey, where in the code does this feature occur?” And it's been able to say, “Look at this file, look at that file, look at those files.” It would previously take me hours or even days to comb through a code base I wasn't familiar with. Now I can do it right away.

Now, the tricky part with that is always being aware of what is allowed legally to share. So I think that's one thing that we're trying to be very clear about. How do we empower our developers to use the right tool at the right time with the right permissions? And that's something people do have to worry about. But then again, it's also super fun.

Q: How does Torc ensure that its technological advancements are in line with the needs and values of its community?

A: I think that's largely based on dialogue. The way we keep emerging technologies in line with our community is just by speaking with them every day. What we're trying to do is provide talent success, which is having the staff and employees talk to the talent as frequently as possible. We have our Slack and Discord where we interact with the community. We're going to start hosting more community webinars. 

I think the other piece of the puzzle is trying to stay in touch with not only our end clients who are hiring developers but also the technology companies. We're talking to Amazon, we're talking to Google, and we have contacts at AI companies as well. We ask them what they're looking for in developers. Where they think the industry is moving so that we can help drive our community to make sure that we’re moving in the same direction. 

We also ask ourselves questions. With the platform, “How do we make the best developer experience? What does that look like moving forward?” Some things we've looked at are verified credentials and universal background checks, so that if you get a background check at Torc, but get another job someplace else, you could take that background check with your data and re-use it. The fact that the Torc profile is portable, you can export it, and you can use it elsewhere, is valuable.

Q: What advice would you give to tech leaders looking to build a strong community or innovate in their product space?

 A: The key to building a good community is honesty. Being open and transparent, explaining what you're trying to do. If you have some sort of hidden agenda, people will figure it out. I think you see that now, even with some of the bigger open source companies, the idea of this bait and switch or switching of license models and things like that, you really can do yourself a lot of damage. If the community trusts in you, and you give that trust back to them, I think that's pretty helpful when it goes in both directions. You can give the developers more access, and more ability to do things in their own way with less oversight.

I also think rewards are important. Now, the reward doesn't necessarily have to be just monetary. It could be recognition, to be rewarded and recognized for what they're doing. And, you know, you can't, as a community or as a product or something like that, try to take all the glory onto yourself. How do you share in that? And that's how I think you get the community to share things because it's mutually beneficial. So I think that a big part of it is making sure when you look at things you’re mindful of that win-win situation, and ensuring that it's not only a win for you, but it's a win for the community. That's extremely important.

Q:  What has been your biggest hurdle so far? 

A: I think the hard part is just starting from zero. Getting the name there, building trust and building relationships. I think the other hard part is making sure that your eyes aren’t too big for your stomach, so to speak. We’ve got 10,000 things we want to do. And we're a pretty small and nimble team, so we need to keep focusing on execution, and ensuring that we're doing the right things to move the ball forward. And I think, the space of recruiting, hiring, and consultancy, is ripe for some change. It's been kind of the same way for a long time. If we do it right, we can be very impactful. So just making sure that we don't try to tackle too many things at once and keep making those innovations is always a challenge.

Q: Can you tell me about some of the future plans that you have for the company?

A: I think if you looked at Torc, when we launched two years ago, really what we tried to do is be the first developer-focused talent marketplace. Myself, Mike Morris, and some others on the team have been in talent marketplaces and done some other interesting models in the past.

I think in the long term for Torc, we want to build a platform where we focus on how developers get compensated. Not just for their hourly work, but for the value that they bring to an organization. If you worked on a project, and you developed a piece of code, the monetary value might be, say, $5,000. But instead of you working 50 hours and getting paid $100 an hour, if you did that in 20 hours or 25 hours, you would have got paid twice as much. The value and the price point stay the same because the client agrees that the value is worth that much, and the developer says they can deliver that value. So why do the hours that you work for it matter? I think that's a good way to bring more equity and more value to the community. 

The other piece of this I would love is for clients to say, “OK, I'm coming to Torc because I want an on-demand AI developer.” So the client can come and almost instantaneously, identify and hire a developer that knows what they're doing, super-powered by AI, and can start contributing to your business right away.

At the moment, we're doing a match and staffing people within less than a week on average. I would like to get to a spot where it's almost instantaneous. Maybe there are occasions where developers could have an online status and a client says to us, “I want a developer for something right now.” Then they could talk right away and the developer starts immediately. Part of that is that we tell the client that if they want to have this spot filled and talk to the developer, they need to make a decision ASAP, it can't be like you chat for an hour, you go back and schedule three more interviews. We want to remove the friction and get that connection as quickly as possible. And get rid of all that wasted time and effort.

I’ve been working closely with David since my time at Torc began. I’ve found him to be a highly invested and willing collaborator, a terrific source of wisdom and inspiration, and a caring employer who values the work his people put in. As an interview subject, he’s an enthusiastic talker and has a deep passion for the tech field and the amazing developers driving our industry.

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Spotlight interview with Torc CTO Dave Messinger

The second in our series of spotlight interviews with members of the Torc team, I spoke with Torc CTO and Co-founder David Messinger about his time before Torc, his thoughts on the changes in remote working over the last two decades, the Torc community’s impact and influence on its platform, and more.

Mess
The dawn of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about seismic changes across various industries, but perhaps none so profoundly as in the realms of art, music, literature, and design. This intersection of technology and creativity is redefining what's possible, pushing the boundaries beyond traditional horizons. This detailed exploration seeks to uncover the multifaceted impact of AI within these creative sectors, discussing its implications, challenges, and the potential future it heralds.

Collaborative Creativity: AI as a Catalyst

Gone are the days when AI's role in the arts was confined to back-end analytics and process automation. Today, AI stands as a collaborator, enabling artists and creators to venture into uncharted territories of expression. Technologies like DALL-E and ChatGPT have revolutionized creative processes, enabling the generation of unique content ranging from visual arts to complex narratives based on simple input parameters.

This synergy between human and machine is democratizing creativity, making artistic expression accessible to a wider audience. With AI's assistance, individuals without formal training can now produce music, write stories, or create artworks, thus fostering a more inclusive creative landscape.

Customized Creative Experiences

AI's ability to process vast amounts of data has brought unprecedented levels of personalization to the creative industries. In gaming and filmmaking, adaptive AI algorithms offer personalized narratives and experiences, enhancing user engagement. Similarly, in the marketing realm, AI's analytical prowess allows for highly targeted content, significantly improving consumer interaction and engagement.

Fashion and design have also benefited from AI's predictive capabilities, which aid in forecasting trends and consumer preferences, allowing for more focused and appealing creations. This not only caters to consumer desires but also promotes a more sustainable approach by aligning production more closely with actual demand.

Breaking Barriers: AI and Accessibility

Beyond creation and personalization, AI is instrumental in making creative content more accessible and inclusive. Language barriers are being dismantled through AI-powered translation services, enabling content creators to reach a worldwide audience. AI also plays a pivotal role in making content accessible to people with disabilities, providing tools that adapt creative works for diverse needs.

Moreover, AI facilitates a deeper understanding of varied consumer bases, promoting content that resonates with a broader spectrum of the population and encouraging diversity in creative outputs.

Ethical Considerations in the AI-Creative Nexus

The amalgamation of AI with creativity brings forth complex ethical considerations, particularly regarding authorship and intellectual property. The question of who owns the rights to AI-assisted creations challenges conventional notions of authorship. Furthermore, the potential for AI to propagate biases present in training data raises concerns regarding the diversity and fairness of AI-generated content.

Addressing these challenges requires careful consideration and the development of new frameworks and guidelines that ensure ethical usage and equitable outcomes in the integration of AI within creative processes.

The Future Trajectory of Creative AI

The influence of AI in the creative fields is poised for continued growth, with emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) set to offer even more immersive and interactive experiences. Additionally, AI could enhance research and factual accuracy in literary and journalistic endeavors, enriching the narrative depth and informational accuracy.

However, the full realization of AI's potential in creativity hinges on addressing the ethical, bias, and copyright challenges currently faced. A collaborative approach among stakeholders from various sectors is vital in shaping a future where AI not only enhances creativity but also upholds ethical standards and promotes inclusivity.

Creativity and AI

While AI can help a person express their sense of creativity, it cannot make a person creative. Creativity still stems entirely from human character and experience. AI is a tool akin to a camera or a pencil. It can be utilized to capture or shade an idea or concept, but the ideas still need to come from us. Art is an important part of life and an expression of being human. AI cannot transcend itself and freely create the way a human being can. What it can do is imitate and interpret us. 

While the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into creative sectors offers numerous innovative prospects, it's imperative to delve into the spectrum of challenges and less favorable outcomes associated with this fusion. Below are several pivotal considerations that highlight the potential negative repercussions of AI's involvement in artistic and creative environments:

Erosion of Authentic Expression

A significant concern arising from AI's involvement in the arts is the potential dilution of the emotional depth and authenticity inherent in human-made creations. The nuanced expressions of human sentiment, individual experiences, and the distinctive imprints left by artists are elements that AI might struggle to encapsulate fully. As AI's presence grows, there's a looming risk that the intrinsic value assigned to human creativity could wane, potentially leading to a cultural milieu where originality and personal expression are undervalued.

Economic Implications and Professional Displacement

The advancement of AI tools presents a threat to traditional roles within the creative industry. The unique skills of writers, painters, musicians, and designers could be deemed less necessary or redundant in light of AI's ability to generate similar works rapidly and at lower costs. Such a shift harbors the potential to destabilize professional livelihoods, escalating unemployment rates among creative individuals and diminishing the diversity in artistic production.

Legal and Ethical Dilemmas

AI's foray into the realm of creativity introduces intricate debates concerning copyright, ownership, and ethical standards. The conundrum of who rightfully owns an AI-generated artwork or piece of music complicates existing legal frameworks. Additionally, there's an ethical quandary associated with AI's ability to produce works that mirror the styles of living artists, possibly leading to intellectual property disputes and the devaluation of original creations.

Reinforcement of Existing Prejudices

Given that AI systems are trained on pre-existing datasets, they are susceptible to inheriting embedded biases and stereotypes. In creative contexts, this can result in content that inadvertently perpetuates harmful stereotypes, marginalizing certain groups and contradicting efforts aimed at fostering diversity and inclusivity within creative outputs.

Diminished Creative Innovation

An overreliance on AI for creative inspiration and execution could lead to a stagnation in human ingenuity. The unique perspectives and inventive ideas that characterize human creativity might be overshadowed as creators become increasingly dependent on AI solutions. This dependency risks leading to a uniformity in creative outputs, eroding the richness and variety that fuel cultural and artistic advancement.

Privacy Infringements and Data Exploitation

The deployment of AI within creative fields often necessitates the accumulation and analysis of extensive datasets, which can include sensitive personal information. This raises alarm regarding individual privacy and the potential misuse of data, as corporations might exploit personal details under the guise of enhancing user experiences and tailoring content.

Risk of Cultural Dilution

The pervasive influence of AI-driven content creation and distribution risks overshadowing local artistic expressions and cultural narratives. This could contribute to a global cultural convergence, where unique traditions and voices are submerged beneath prevailing trends, undermining the vibrancy and plurality of global cultural heritage.

Navigating these multifaceted challenges is essential as we progress into an era where artificial intelligence becomes increasingly intertwined with creative practices. Maintaining a balance between leveraging AI's potential and safeguarding the essence of human artistry, ethical integrity, and cultural diversity is paramount in ensuring a constructive coalescence of technology and creativity.

Conclusion

The integration of AI into the creative industries signifies a pivotal shift, opening doors to new possibilities for innovation and expression. While it presents significant opportunities for personalization, accessibility, and breaking down barriers, it also brings to light critical ethical and philosophical questions. Navigating this landscape requires a delicate balance, leveraging AI's capabilities to amplify human creativity while ensuring it enriches rather than detracts from the richness of human experience. In moving forward thoughtfully, we can unlock the vast potential of AI to inspire and revolutionize the creative world.

Developers
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Companies
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5
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Will Artificial Intelligence Drive Human Creativity, or Diminish it?

The dawn of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about seismic changes across various industries, but perhaps none so profoundly as in the realms of art, music, literature, and design. This intersection of technology and creativity is redefining what's possible, pushing the boundaries beyond traditional horizons.

Artificial intelligence
This week's Codealike Achiever is Adam Ross DeStafeno, our Codealike Code Maestro (which is the award based on total Coding Hours) winner for January! Adam is a gifted coder from the United States who has been programming for just a year and a half! Winning this award is a sign of impressive progress for someone so new to coding. For his achievement, we spoke about his background and his experience with Torc and Codealike.

Tell me about your background before Torc.

 Well, I've not been in the computer programming world for too long, it’s been about a year and a half since I started coding. My father works as a cybersecurity professional and had been telling me for years I’d enjoy coding, but at the time it didn’t seem like something I would be into. Finally he was able to get me to try my hand at making a hello world program and that’s how it all started. At first, I mainly just started dabbling with it and it turned out to be something that I really liked. Shortly after, I ended up enrolling in a Java master course from Karpado to learn the basics and have since been practicing and continuing to learn by developing utilities to solve my personal computing problems and further researching related interests, such as working with LLMs, checking out and learning about unique libraries, new frameworks, new languages, ect. I ended up enjoying coding so much that now, a year and a half later, I’ve decided I want to turn my hobby into my profession and am trying to find my way into the field. 

How does Torc’s platform and community differ from other remote work opportunities you've experienced?

To be honest, I haven't had much experience in using other remote work opportunities or services. In my head my goal was to refine my skills to a respectable and competitive level before I started entering the job market, and after finally feeling that I had met that goal, made the first step towards turning my hobby into a profession by creating my Torc account.

For someone who’s only been coding for a year and a half, it’s quite impressive that you’ve won this award, it’s a good sign of progress!

Thanks, I appreciate that! It’s amazing that Torc is here to acknowledge and try to promote those who are striving to improve their skills. It's been a journey of personal perseverance, maintaining focus, and embracing the reality that there's always more to learn. I’m enthusiastic for the future and the opportunities it may bring.

 What future initiatives or features are you most excited about within the Torc ecosystem? 

Definitely the refined job searches, the specialized feed of what would be relevant for the roles, and maybe deeper interaction between the talent and employer entities.

Can you discuss a time when Torc’s resources or community helped you overcome a professional challenge?

 Not yet. But, you know, I'm sure before too long, I'll be able to.

How has Codealike impacted your daily coding routine?

Codealike has significantly impacted my daily coding routine by providing me with valuable insights into how I spend my time while coding. By tracking my time spent on various activities such as coding, debugging, and web surfing, Codealike helps me to identify areas where I can improve my productivity.

Prior to using Codealike, I pretty much just coded whenever without much thought as to when or for how long; I wasn’t very mindful of how I was spending my time or the amount of coding I was doing per day/week/month. Once I started using Codealike it immediately brought to my attention the flaws in my coding routines and that I was not coding nearly as much as I thought I was in the grand scheme of things. Being able to visually model how I was spending my time allowed me to start creating a defined regime to start balancing the excessive time spent web browsing or being “sudo-productive” off with the lack of time spent coding.

For instance, one of the biggest examples is if I notice that I've been spending an excessive amount of time researching a related topic during a coding session, I'll make a conscious effort to minimize the time spent researching and focus more on coding. This has helped me see through my “sudo-productive” time to be more productive and efficient in my coding workflow and output.

Can you share a specific feature or a specific feature of Codealike that significantly improved your productivity?

The Codealike web extension has given me insights on how I spend my time on the web. I have been using Hyperskill to learn and practice coding quite frequently here recently. Without the web extension (or if I was using another time keeping service) the time spent on Hyperskill would blend in with the time spent on the web and would appear as wasteful time. Luckily, Codealike’s web extension recognizes the website and is able to separate the session in Hyperskill from the non productive web time, allowing me to more accurately assess my sessions.

How did tracking your coding activity with Codealike help you identify areas for improvements?

I needed to code a little bit more on the weekends. It is nice having that spread of information in front of you because it helps you to keep up with whether you're doing the amount that you should be doing, no matter how it's spread.

Why would you recommend code like to other developers?

The fact that it's integrated with Torc is like a win-win, two birds one stone situation. And again, the metrics are great. The interface itself just feels a lot more complete and robust than some of the other software that’s out there. I can’t say I’ve found myself needing a feature from Codealike that it doesn’t already offer.

How do you plan to leverage the insights gained from code like for future projects?

I plan on using it to ensure that I’m not spending too much time on one project or falling into a time-sink trying one file to make one thing perfect, just being mindful of how time is being spent and making sure the right amount of time is being spent on each task.

 How has Codealike influenced your approach to time management and focus while coding?

Again, it always helps to keep something in the back of your mind, that what you're doing needs to be on task, or oriented, and get some type of progress in some way. It keeps me mindful that the time I spend on my computer should be ordered and has developed an internal sense of keeping track of my coding subconsciously. I know sometimes I'll be getting into coding and come across a new framework or methodology that interests me and then get lost in researching it, it’s definitely helpful with minimizing that.  

  

Adam was a great interview subject and a good contrast to our previous two interviewees, Mariusz and Andres, as he has been working as a coder for a much shorter amount of time. It’s great to see Codealike having such a positive impact on the work of both experienced coders as well those newer to the industry. Adam has achieved a lot in a relatively short space of time and we look forward to seeing what he’ll achieve next!

Developers
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Productivity
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5
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Codealike Interview: January Code Maestro Achievement Winner

This week's Codealike Achiever is Adam Ross DeStafeno, our Codealike Code Maestro winner for January! Adam is a gifted coder from the United States who has been programming for just a year and a half! Winning this award is a sign of impressive progress for someone so new to coding.

Coding
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