Building an AI App with Calum Simpson - .NET Rocks! Recap

Podcast: .NET Rocks!

Published: 2025-12-04

Duration: 1 hr 0 min

Guests: Calum Simpson

Summary

Calum Simpson discusses the development of Yak Shaver, an AI tool designed to streamline bug reporting and backlog management by utilizing video inputs for more accurate and efficient task creation.

What Happened

Calum Simpson, a solution architect at SSW, elaborates on the creation of Yak Shaver, an AI-driven tool aiming to eliminate the 'yak shaving' phenomenon in software development. Yak Shaver uses video and audio inputs to automatically generate detailed bug reports and backlog items, streamlining the process for developers. This tool emerged as a solution to the time-consuming process of manually reporting bugs and assigning tasks during development meetings. Simpson explains the evolution of Yak Shaver from its initial version, which used a cloud-based pipeline, to its upcoming V2, which leverages Microsoft Copilot (MCP) servers for enhanced functionality. He highlights the benefits of using AI for automating repetitive tasks, allowing developers to focus on more critical aspects of software design and problem-solving. The discussion also touches on the potential for AI to write disposable code for specific tasks, suggesting a future V3 iteration of Yak Shaver. Simpson emphasizes the importance of AI in maintaining consistency and efficiency in software projects, particularly in environments where different team members contribute to multiple projects. He shares insights into how AI tools can be customized to meet specific organizational needs, ensuring that output remains consistent and aligned with company standards.

Key Insights

• Yak Shaver is an AI-driven tool designed to automate the creation of bug reports and backlog items using video and audio inputs, aiming to reduce the manual effort involved in software development meetings.
• The upcoming V2 of Yak Shaver will utilize Microsoft Copilot servers to enhance its functionality, moving away from the initial cloud-based pipeline approach.
• AI tools like Yak Shaver can be customized to align with specific organizational standards, ensuring consistent output across projects with contributions from multiple team members.
• Future iterations of Yak Shaver may include AI capabilities for writing disposable code for specific tasks, further streamlining the software development process.