The video explains how to set up and use the newly introduced free tier of GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code, highlighting its features, limitations, and the importance of reviewing generated code for accuracy. It also addresses privacy concerns by providing guidance on opting out of data collection while showcasing the tool’s functionality, including code completion and chat features for generating unit tests and understanding code.
In the video, the presenter discusses the recent introduction of a free tier for GitHub Copilot, which allows users to try out the AI-powered coding assistant without a subscription. The setup process for GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio Code is outlined, emphasizing the need for a GitHub account and the installation of necessary extensions. The presenter also mentions that users will receive 2,000 code completions and 50 chat requests per month under the free tier, highlighting the limitations compared to the paid Pro version.
The video delves into the reasons behind GitHub and Microsoft offering this free tier, suggesting that it is a strategic move to attract more users and gather data for improving their AI models. The presenter notes that with 150 million developers on GitHub, the free tier could encourage users to become accustomed to the tool, potentially leading to paid subscriptions in the future. This approach is seen as a way to enhance user engagement and data collection for product improvement.
As the presenter demonstrates the functionality of GitHub Copilot, they create a Python script to connect to various databases, showcasing how the AI can assist in generating boilerplate code. The video highlights the ease of using the tool, including features like accepting code suggestions and redoing prompts. The presenter emphasizes the importance of reviewing the generated code to ensure accuracy and completeness, particularly when it comes to database connections.
Privacy implications are also a significant focus of the video. The presenter explains that GitHub collects various types of data, including user interactions, prompt history, and usage patterns, which can be used to train their AI models. To address privacy concerns, the video provides guidance on how to opt out of data collection and disable features that allow GitHub to use personal code snippets for product improvement. This is crucial for users who want to maintain control over their code and data.
Finally, the presenter explores the chat functionality of GitHub Copilot, demonstrating how it can be used to ask questions and generate unit tests for the code. While the code completion tool is effective for writing code, the chat feature is highlighted as a valuable resource for understanding and explaining code. The video concludes with a reflection on the overall utility of the GitHub Copilot free tier, encouraging viewers to consider its benefits while being mindful of privacy settings. The presenter invites viewers to engage with the content by liking, subscribing, and joining a community on Discord.