Cisco is collaborating with OpenAI to enhance the capabilities of network engineers by integrating OpenAI’s Codex into their workflows. Codex functions as an AI-driven coding assistant that can aid in writing, testing, and building network code. According to Jeetu Patel, Cisco’s president and chief product officer, the partnership is designed to expedite the implementation of innovative ideas within their engineering teams.
Codex is accessible through ChatGPT and is equipped to understand existing codebases, propose changes, and generate pull requests seamlessly. Cisco is working closely with OpenAI to evaluate Codex for practical applications throughout its product offerings, thereby providing real-world feedback to improve the tool.
One of Codex’s key functionalities is its ability to integrate with Cisco management tools, allowing for automated generation of configuration scripts for devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls. Additionally, it can troubleshoot network security and performance issues effectively. OpenAI describes Codex as a versatile agent capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously, including feature development, answering queries related to code, bug fixes, and creating pull requests for modifications.
Users can interact with Codex via the ChatGPT interface, where they can assign tasks and receive results in a structured manner. Codex operates within a secure environment that provides detailed documentation of its processes, allowing users to verify its outputs through terminal logs and test results. This transparency is key as reliance on AI expands within software development.
Moreover, Cisco envisions a future where a plethora of AI agents, including Codex, work cooperatively across networks and data centers, redefining existing technological frameworks. The company’s research division, Outshift, has proposed the concept of an "Internet of Agents," aiming for a collaborative architecture that facilitates autonomous AI teamwork and data sharing. This vision underscores the need for standardized protocols to manage and scale AI initiatives within organizations.
Codex is available as a subscription service, costing $200 per month for ChatGPT Pro users, with OpenAI planning to incorporate it into additional paid offerings in the future.
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