Source URL: https://simonwillison.net/2024/Dec/18/free-tier-for-github-copilot/#atom-everything
Source: Simon Willison’s Weblog
Title: A new free tier for GitHub Copilot in VS Code
Feedly Summary: A new free tier for GitHub Copilot in VS Code
It’s easy to forget that GitHub Copilot was the first widely deployed feature built on top of generative AI, with its initial preview launching all the way back in June of 2021 and general availability in June 2022, 5 months before the release of ChatGPT.
The idea of using generative AI for autocomplete in a text editor is a really significant innovation, and is still my favorite example of a non-chat UI for interacting with models.
Copilot evolved a lot over the past few years, most notably through the addition of Copilot Chat, a chat interface directly in VS Code. I’ve only recently started adopting that myself – the ability to add files into the context (a feature that I believe was first shipped by Cursor) means you can ask questions directly of your code. It can also perform prompt-driven rewrites, previewing changes before you click to approve them and apply them to the project.
Today’s announcement of a permanent free tier (as opposed to a trial) for anyone with a GitHub account is clearly designed to encourage people to upgrade to a full subscription. Free users get 2,000 code completions and 50 chat messages per month, with the option of switching between GPT-4o or Claude 3.5 Sonnet.
Tags: generative-ai, github-copilot, ai, github, llms, openai, anthropic, ai-assisted-programming, claude-3-5-sonnet
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The announcement of a permanent free tier for GitHub Copilot in VS Code bolsters the accessibility of generative AI tools for developers. This innovation exemplifies the practical implementation of AI-assisted programming, enhancing user interaction with code and potentially leading to greater adoption and refinement of AI applications in software development.
Detailed Description:
The introduction of a free tier for GitHub Copilot highlights significant advances in generative AI, specifically in software development tools. GitHub Copilot, which leverages AI for code completion and interaction, represents a pivotal shift in programming paradigms. Key points from the announcement include:
– **Historical Context**: GitHub Copilot was launched as a generative AI tool for code auto-completion and has undergone significant evolution since its inception in 2021. Its addition of chat interfaces marks a key step in enhancing user experience.
– **Features of Copilot**:
– **Generative AI Autocomplete**: This feature enables instantaneous code suggestions, effectively acting as an intelligent assistant to developers.
– **Copilot Chat**: The new chat interface allows for contextual interaction, where developers can ask questions and receive intelligent responses regarding their codebase. This enhances the development process by allowing for an iterative dialogue between the programmer and the AI.
– **Prompt-driven Rewrites**: Users can preview changes before applying them, adding a layer of safety and control to the coding process.
– **Free Tier Benefits**:
– **Increased Access**: The permanent free tier offers 2,000 code completions and 50 chat messages monthly, making it easier for developers to experiment with AI without financial commitment.
– **Model Versatility**: Users can choose between different LLMs, including GPT-4o or Claude 3.5 Sonnet, providing flexibility in how AI assists developers.
Implications for Security and Compliance:
– **AI Implementation**: As generative AI tools become more integrated into development workflows, it raises concerns regarding code security, dependency management, and data privacy. Organizations must ensure that AI-generated code adheres to security best practices and does not introduce vulnerabilities.
– **Governance and Compliance**: With the growing use of AI-generated code, compliance with software licenses and intellectual property laws becomes crucial. Developers must navigate these regulations as they adopt AI solutions.
In summary, GitHub Copilot’s new free tier not only democratizes access to AI tools in software development but also emphasizes the importance of a proactive approach to security and compliance in the evolving landscape of AI applications.