Ep 009: From Birds to Vibe Coding: The Latest Retail Focus with John Suder and Bart Mroz

Welcome to this week’s episode of Retail Focus. This week’s session covers an eclectic mix ranging from birds, changing airline policies, to the stunning evolutions in AI and coding.

The Joy of Spring and Birds 

Spring has sprung and with it, John and Bart share their excitement about the changing seasons. John celebrates by highlighting an app developed by Cornell University called Merlin ID, which helps identify bird species through their songs. This time of year, they enjoy the return of numerous bird species like robins and cardinals in their backyards. Birdwatchers sure have an exciting tool to enhance their passion!

Southwest Airlines: The End of an Era 

The main discussion kicks off with news about Southwest Airlines ending their “bags fly free” policy, effective May 28th. John and Bart delve into the reasons behind this decision, pointing fingers at the increasing influence of private equity and highlighting the ensuing dissatisfaction among loyal customers.

They reminisce about Southwest’s uniquely customer-friendly past and chuckle over celebrity CEOs like Herb Kelleher, who left amusing anecdotes in the airline's history.

Alexa’s Big Update: Privacy Matters 

Next on the agenda is Amazon Alexa’s update, removing the "do not send voice recordings" feature. As of March 28, 2025, all voice interactions will be sent to Amazon’s cloud, raising eyebrows among privacy advocates.

This shift is essential for the new Alexa Plus, a generative AI assistant. While Amazon promises enhanced capabilities, many users are skeptical about losing control over their data.

John and Bart banter about the inevitability of utilizing data to train AI systems.

AI in Coding: Riding the Vibe 

In the tech world, “vibe coding” is the latest trend, where developers tell AI what they want, and the code virtually writes itself. While this seems like a utopian future, Bart expresses skepticism, concerned about inexperienced developers using AI as a crutch without understanding the fundamentals of coding and security.

The discussion evolves into how AI could serve as a tool to enhance productivity without replacing the essence and need for actual coding knowledge.

From Traditional Art to AI-Enhanced Design 

John draws parallels with the design world, pointing out how designers are now emphasized for their ability to create unique, non-AI-like designs. The challenge moving forward is blending AI tools with authentic human creativity—an analogy extended to coding, urging a balance between efficiency and foundational knowledge.

Final Thoughts 

John and Bart close their session with reflections on continuous learning and adapting in the fast-evolving technological space. They underscore the importance of mastering the basics before leaning heavily on AI assistance. As they wrap up, they cheekily invite their audience to join them next week for more insights, or at the very least, some entertaining rants.

Stay tuned, stay curious, and as always, keep learning!