Subvolts take See how a Rust pioneer uses AI agents to build a new programming language. Mar 17, 2026 - Developers
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This episode features a respected programmer's direct experience using AI for coding, offering practical insights into AI's role in software development.
Humility in the Age of Agentic Coding
Audio streams from Daniel Whitenack and Chris Benson. Your place is remembered on this device.
From Subvolts
Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.
Practical AI interviews software engineer Steve Klabnik about his shift from AI critic to AI user. Klabnik discusses his programming language Rue, which he largely built using AI tools like Claude. The episode explores the implications for software engineering and the future of coding in an AI-driven landscape.
A programmer known for the Rust language shares his experience building a new project, Rue, with AI help. He explains how AI tools assisted him and what this means for how software is made in the future.
This episode offers a firsthand account from a prominent figure in the programming world who has moved from skepticism to active use of AI tools. Listeners will learn about the practical application of AI agents in complex software development and gain insight into how established coding practices might evolve. It is for developers and tech enthusiasts interested in the human element of AI adoption and its impact on creation.
- HostDaniel Whitenack
- HostChris Benson
- GuestSteve Klabniksoftware engineer
- Guest: Steve Klabnik
- Title: Humility in the Age of Agentic Coding
- Show: Practical AI
- Length: 55 minutes
- AI Tool Used: Claude
- Project Built: Rue
Chapters from the publisher ↗ · Transcript ↗ Key moments and transcript search come with a later piece.
What happens when an AI hater starts building with AI agents? In this episode, we talk with software engineer Steve Klabnik, known for his work on the Rust programming language, about his journey from criticizing AI to experimenting with it firsthand. We explore Steve’s programming language Rue, largely built with the help of AI tools like Claude, and discuss what this means for software engineering and the future of coding in an AI-driven world.
Featuring:
- Steve Klabnik – LinkedIn
- Chris Benson – Website, LinkedIn, Bluesky, GitHub, X
- Daniel Whitenack – Website, GitHub, X
Links:
- The Rust Programming Language
- Rust
- Rue
- Daniel's RSA Meeting link for March 23, 2026
- Daniel's RSA Meeting link for March 24-25, 2026
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Questions people ask
- Who is Steve Klabnik and why is his perspective on AI interesting?
- Steve Klabnik is a software engineer known for his work on the Rust programming language. He is featured because he transitioned from being an AI critic to actively using AI tools in his development.
- What is Rue and how was it built?
- Rue is a programming language largely built with the help of AI tools, including Claude, by software engineer Steve Klabnik.
Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to Daniel Whitenack and Chris Benson.