Forget coding bootcamps: Airtable’s AI can build your app in seconds

Airtable, the $11 billion no-code platform unicorn, has unveiled Cobuilder, an AI-powered tool that generates customizable applications in seconds using natural language prompts. This launch could reshape the landscape of enterprise software development by allowing non-technical employees to build complex applications without coding knowledge.

Kelly O’Shaughnessy, head of core product and product lead for Airtable Cobuilder, explained the tool’s significance in an interview with VentureBeat. “Cobuilder is the fastest way to build no-code applications, making it possible to create customizable apps with natural language in just seconds,” she said. “Paired with the vast amounts of knowledge across industries, use cases, and business concepts that today’s LLMs have, Cobuilder helps anyone take an idea from concept to reality in seconds and transform their workflows.”

AI-powered app generation: How Cobuilder transforms ideas into software

The technology behind Cobuilder uses large language models (LLMs) to interpret user prompts and generate appropriate application structures. O’Shaughnessy elaborated on the process, telling VentureBeat, “Cobuilder generates an application by analyzing a user’s natural language prompt and matching the request with relevant publicly available data the LLM provider has access to.”

This approach could significantly reduce the time and resources required for application development, a process that traditionally involves multiple stakeholders and can take months or even years. O’Shaughnessy highlighted this advantage, citing Airtable CEO Howie Liu’s LinkedIn post on the new product launch, where he said, “Traditional software development is expensive and slow, but the bigger problem is the disconnect that happens when there are layers of separation between the technical software developers building an app and the business stakeholders who understand the actual requirements for the app.”

The adoption of AI-generated applications in enterprise environments raises questions about data privacy and security. Addressing these concerns, O’Shaughnessy told VentureBeat, “Airtable protects the privacy and security of customers’ data. No customer data is used to train current or future LLMs.”

Balancing innovation and limitations: The current state of AI-generated apps

While Cobuilder represents a leap forward in no-code development, it currently relies on publicly available data and user-provided information to create applications. Airtable plans to enhance Cobuilder’s capabilities, including the ability to incorporate existing company data from Airtable and embed AI automations within generated apps.

The launch of Cobuilder is part of Airtable’s broader strategy to integrate AI across its platform. Earlier this year, the company introduced Airtable AI, which has already seen adoption by major clients like AWS. Future plans include expanding document extraction capabilities and enabling AI-powered internet search integration.

For Airtable, this move represents a significant bet on the future of enterprise software development. As businesses increasingly seek ways to empower non-technical staff and reduce reliance on traditional development processes, tools like Cobuilder could become increasingly attractive.

The future of enterprise software: Airtable’s vision for AI-driven development

O’Shaughnessy envisions a transformative impact. “This combo of no-code and AI unlocks the ability for non-experts and non-developers to describe the workflow they need in plain language—as though having a conversation with a developer—and then Cobuilder helps create an app with the best design and operational structures in seconds.”

As Airtable continues to push the boundaries of no-code development with AI integration, it positions itself at the forefront of a potential new era in enterprise software creation. The success of Cobuilder could not only solidify Airtable’s position in the market but also potentially reshape how businesses approach software development in the coming years.