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How AI Skills Are Defining A New Kind of American Dream
For generations, the American Dream usually followed a familiar pattern. It meant going to college, seeking a higher education, securing a dream job, and building a comfortable life. That is what has been engrained in society, and it is what has gotten people to where they are today. One of the greatest parts about the American dream is its large emphasis on years of schooling. When one sought to earn a degree, it showed they were on the right trajectory to achieving their as
New Rules for Junior Developers in the Age of AI
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way software is created, and many people are asking a tough question: are junior developers losing their jobs? The answer is not simple. While AI is not completely replacing humans, it is changing the way early-career developers work, and this is happening at a time when the tech job market is unusually challenging. AI tools are becoming increasingly capable of handling tasks that were once the foundation of a junior dev
Amazon is Cutting Jobs Again, But Here’s How Workers Can Navigate the Pressure
Amazon just announced its second round of corporate layoffs with more than 16,000 roles being eliminated due to AI. As automation becomes the very heart of entire industries, this move signals a frightening yet all-too-familiar trend we’ve already seen before. When a company as large as Amazon makes job cuts this drastically and quickly, workers across sectors are left scrambling to figure out what to do. Salaries have officially come to a halt, lifelines have been negativel
How AI Skills Are Defining A New Kind of American Dream
For generations, the American Dream usually followed a familiar pattern. It meant going to college, seeking a higher education, securing a dream job, and building a comfortable life. That is what has been engrained in society, and it is what has gotten people to where they are today. One of the greatest parts about the American dream is its large emphasis on years of schooling. When one sought to earn a degree, it showed they were on the right trajectory to achieving their as
New Rules for Junior Developers in the Age of AI
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way software is created, and many people are asking a tough question: are junior developers losing their jobs? The answer is not simple. While AI is not completely replacing humans, it is changing the way early-career developers work, and this is happening at a time when the tech job market is unusually challenging. AI tools are becoming increasingly capable of handling tasks that were once the foundation of a junior dev
Amazon is Cutting Jobs Again, But Here’s How Workers Can Navigate the Pressure
Amazon just announced its second round of corporate layoffs with more than 16,000 roles being eliminated due to AI. As automation becomes the very heart of entire industries, this move signals a frightening yet all-too-familiar trend we’ve already seen before. When a company as large as Amazon makes job cuts this drastically and quickly, workers across sectors are left scrambling to figure out what to do. Salaries have officially come to a halt, lifelines have been negativel
Amazon Layoffs Devastate Thousands, But It’s Not The Endgame For Workers
In late January, Amazon officially confirmed its second round of employee layoffs totaling more than 16,000 positions . As part of a larger wave that follows earlier cuts made last year, this moment again represents much more than just an economic shutdown. Beyond that, it signals a major shift in how work is organized in the AI era. For many employees, this news likely does not come at a shock. Automation is taking over at historic speed, and the workforce has never been as
Inno roundup: CodeBoxx's latest partnership with $1B+ valued California adtech company
Tampa Bay's tech and innovation news for the week of Jan. 30, including a St. Pete software company's latest partnership with a major West Coast player. Reference: https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2026/02/04/inno-newsletter-codeboxx.html
Why AI Jobs Are Open and Talent Is Still Missing
As artificial intelligence becomes a core part of modern software, many companies are running into a growing problem. They cannot find enough developers who know how to work with AI effectively. While interest in AI-powered products is rising quickly, the workforce needed to build, deploy, and maintain these systems is not growing at the same pace. At first glance, this appears to be a familiar tech hiring challenge. Demand is high, supply is low, and competition is fierce. B
The Growing Gap Between Jobs and Job Seekers in America
The U.S. job market appears stable at first glance. Unemployment remains relatively low, and official reports continue to emphasize economic resilience. Yet for many Americans who are educated, experienced, and actively searching, finding a good-paying job has become increasingly difficult. Behind the positive headlines is a labor market marked by slower hiring, fewer quality openings, and growing competition. Job growth weakened significantly toward the end of 2025 . Employe
How Creativity and Coding Together Are Driving the Future of AI
Artificial Intelligence and automation is transforming how companies operate. Software and artificial intelligence now handle tasks such as customer support, data organization, and workflow management. These tools help businesses save time, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. However, automation alone is no longer enough to guarantee success. The companies that will truly succeed in the future are those that go beyond automation and embrace coding as a creative skill. Many
Beyond Access: How CodeBoxx Is Creating Real Tech Opportunities in St. Petersburg
Brian Peret, director of CodeBoxx Academy, believes more people in our communities deserve a real stake in the future being built through technology. CodeBoxx is located in St. Petersburg’s Ark Innovation Center, a hub supporting entrepreneurship by connecting founders with resources, mentorship, and collaborative space within the city’s larger Innovation District. While centered in a location devised to drive growth in technology and emerging industries, Peret believes that
Why You Should Consider Vibe Coding a Vital Literacy Skill
The rise of AI-powered software creation means vibe coding is crucial for your tech toolbox. In 1985, thanks to my godfather, a technology teacher, I touched my first Tandy TRS-80 computer. Not as a hobbyist (I was too young), not for homework (it was not ready for such things), but out of curiosity. Something in that machine called to me. Back then, code was BASIC: mechanical, binary, cold. Today, it’s alive. Decades of coding eventually gave birth to artificial intelligence
The Age of Vibe Coding: Why Logic Alone Won’t Cut It Anymore
As AI assumes more and more programming tasks, engineers should instead deepen their creativity and intuition to provide real-world value. At a Glance If AI can deliver 60% or more of a feature, humans should focus on making software feel seamless and delightful. Entry-level coders won’t be needed much longer. Instead, we need “vibe coders” who bring their lived experience, empathy, and human context into software development. We once taught young people how to talk to comput
AI inequity: Roles such as clerks, bookkeepers most likely to be automated, study finds
Job roles dominated by women are at the highest risk of being automated, according to a study by Credera . The same jobs are also 20% less likely to use GenAI, the data showed, with jobs for administrative assistants, office clerks, bookkeepers and cashiers in the most jeopardy of being replaced. “We stand at the precipice of the greatest economic revolution in generations,” said Brian Peret, director of the software engineering service company, CodeBoxx Academy. “Leaving 50
From Prompt to Prototype
AI has changed the way we build. You no longer need to be a seasoned developer (or even know how to code!) to turn an idea into a working prototype. In this fast-paced, hands-on webinar, you’ll learn how to use Lovable , a powerful AI-driven platform that builds websites, apps, and tools directly from natural-language prompts. Guided by Brian Peret , Director of Codeboxx Academy , you’ll see how Lovable interprets prompts, generates complete projects, and lets you custom
AI Is Moving Faster Than Ever. Here Are the Tech Stories Setting the Stage for 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, the AI industry is shifting into a new gear. The last few weeks delivered breakthroughs in autonomous software generation, new battles over developer platforms inside Big Tech, and an unexpected rise in creative experimentation through conversational coding. Together, these stories hint at a very different first half of 2026, one defined by platform competition, lightning-fast product development, and AI as a creative partner rather than just a techn
The New AI Literacy: Beyond Syntax and Semantics
Digital literacy, the ability to use digital tools and software, is evolving today, as AI systems show the growing ability to mediate our workflows. A new literacy is emerging and the need to be good at prompting AI gave birth to a trend that is gaming steam: vibe coding. Vibe coding is about moving away from what used to be rigid and elaborated specs and design to build software. Instead, it’s about translating intents expressed in natural language so they can be translated
Building People, Not Just Tech.
The Digital Executive Podcast Épisode 1146 Nicolas Genest with Brian Thomas.
AI is Becoming the New Definition of Software. Here’s What Developers Should Know.
Everyone knows AI is arguably one of the best advancements of modern times. Since its deployment from the very beginning, AI has no question changed the game of how humans utilize and view technology. Today, it is taking over like no other, and more recently, it has even evolved the software space in ways no one has seen before. AI in software development involves using automation to ease tasks such as code generation, bug detection, and testing. At the core, AI’s role in t
How AI is Giving Traditional Work a Different Type of Efficiency
What if we told you it is possible to build an entire website from scratch with the simple help of AI? But much more than that, what if we said AI built the website in just a day and a half with only 37 prompts total? If you are hesitant, don’t be. After one AI software company, CodeBoxx , announced they created and deployed a fully functioning website at record speed, this effort represented exactly what it means to live in modern day AI. By now, it is likely certain you’ve
Nicolas Genest
Founder & CEOAI, TechTampa Bay, FL, USA Listen to Nicolas’ Podcast! Nicolas Genest is a technology executive, serial founder, and former multi-exit CTO who has built and led companies generating over $1 billion in annual revenue. He is the founder and CEO of CodeBoxx Technology, an AI-first education and software company that trains and employs technologists from all walks of life. Previously, Nicolas Genest served as CTO at The RealReal, ModCloth, and Full Harvest, and led
Meet CODI: Your AI Guide to Exploring CodeBoxx
At CodeBoxx, we understand that choosing a tech education program is a big decision. That’s why we created CODI ( C odeBoxx O perational D ialogue I nterface), our award-winning AI chatbot, to help prospective students explore our programs, get answers quickly, and navigate the enrollment process with ease. How CODI Helps Prospective Students Think of CODI as your personal guide—always on hand to provide precise, timely information when it matters most. Whether you’re curiou
Building People, Not Just Tech: Nicolas Genest on AI, Talent, and the Future of Work | Ep 1146
The Digital Executive Podcast - Episode 1146 Listen to The Podcast In this episode of The Digital Executive ( https://coruzant.com/profiles/nicolas ... ) , Brian Thomas sits down with Nicolas Genest, veteran CTO, two-time CEO, and founder of CodeBoxx Technology Academy. With a career spanning multiple hypergrowth startups—The RealReal, ModCloth, Veepee (Vente Privée), and Walmart—Nicolas shares the turning point that shifted his mission from building companies to building peo
Why You Should Consider Vibe Coding a Vital Literacy Skill
In 1985, thanks to my godfather, a technology teacher, I touched my first Tandy TRS-80 computer. Not as a hobbyist (I was too young), not for homework (it was not ready for such things), but out of curiosity. Something in that machine called to me. Back then, code was BASIC: mechanical, binary, cold. Today, it’s alive. Decades of coding eventually gave birth to artificial intelligence . The world has been running on AI for quite a while, but the best technologists emerging ri
The Age of Vibe Coding: Why Logic Alone Won’t Cut It Anymore
As AI assumes more and more programming tasks, engineers should instead deepen their creativity and intuition to provide real-world value. The best vibe coders function like orchestrators. They define the metrics that matter. At a Glance If AI can deliver 60% or more of a feature, humans should focus on making software feel seamless and delightful. Entry-level coders won’t be needed much longer. Instead, we need “vibe coders” who bring their lived experience, empathy, and hum
AI inequity: Roles such as clerks, bookkeepers most likely to be automated, study finds
Job roles dominated by women are at the highest risk of being automated, according to a study by Credera . The same jobs are also 20% less likely to use GenAI, the data showed, with jobs for administrative assistants, office clerks, bookkeepers and cashiers in the most jeopardy of being replaced. “We stand at the precipice of the greatest economic revolution in generations,” said Brian Peret, director of the software engineering service company, CodeBoxx Academy. “Leaving 50
CodeBoxx Academy Webinar: Vibe Coding – How to Build Real Software with AI Tools – Dec 17 2025
On December 17, CodeBoxx Academy is hosting a public webinar called “Vibe Coding,” a hands-on introduction to building real software with AI tools like Lovable. The session is open to all ages and experience levels and is the first major activation of CodeBoxx’s new partnership with the University of South Florida’s Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education (CTPE). Registration link: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f2d6c84f-47dc-4bac-936c-f8de4738113f@
AI Is Moving Faster Than Ever. Here Are the Tech Stories Setting the Stage for 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, the AI industry is shifting into a new gear. The last few weeks delivered breakthroughs in autonomous software generation, new battles over developer platforms inside Big Tech, and an unexpected rise in creative experimentation through conversational coding. Together, these stories hint at a very different first half of 2026, one defined by platform competition, lightning-fast product development, and AI as a creative partner rather than just a techn
The New AI Literacy: Beyond Syntax and Semantics
Digital literacy, the ability to use digital tools and software, is evolving today, as AI systems show the growing ability to mediate our workflows. A new literacy is emerging and the need to be good at prompting AI gave birth to a trend that is gaming steam: vibe coding. Vibe coding is about moving away from what used to be rigid and elaborated specs and design to build software. Instead, it’s about translating intents expressed in natural language so they can be translated
Let's talk about Vibe Coding
Our CEO, Nicolas Genest, speaks on CBS News Detroit about Vibe Coding. The blend of logic, creativity and human intuition.
Vibe Coding: Ethics by Design
Vibe Coding: Orchestrating Intent and Ethics in AI Development
What Amazon Layoffs Really Mean For Early Career Goers
The latest Amazon layoffs were a shock for many in the economy. With the large corporation eliminating as many as 30,000 corporate jobs , thousands of employees were suddenly left overnight without an essential source of stability. For years, Amazon seemed like the end-all, be-all. Its trillion-dollar market capitalization has always implied a stable path for those wanting to work in the firm. Not only that, but for high-achieving folks everywhere, it was the leading entity t
Why Amazon Layoffs Signal Hope for Employees Everywhere
In late October, thousands of employees faced a harsh reality most would hope to avoid: layoffs. After Amazon announced it cut over 14,000 jobs largely due to AI-driven efficiency, many workers were suddenly left without financial support, facing uncertainty in an industry long viewed as a stable endeavor. Over the years, the tech giant symbolized upward mobility in the field of innovation. With constant upgrades to the system almost daily, as well as a key driver of the ec
CodeBoxx 2025 advertise
Produced by Quebec-based company Scène Finale, this commercial is a snapshot of what you can expect at CodeBoxx, an AI-native-oriented company. CodeBoxx's culture is inspired by its motto, “Wherever you come from, AI has the power to jumpstart your career as a developer.”
St. Pete-based CodeBoxx relocates to spARK Labs by Ark Invest
The facility includes a 150-person event center, an innovation lab for prototyping, a mixed reality studio, two state-of-the-art classrooms, conference rooms and coworking space.
The Next Breakout in AI Isn’t a Model. It’s Collaboration
For more than a decade, the AI industry has run on a simple storyline: whoever trains the biggest model wins. Faster chips, larger datasets, more compute. Tech giants poured billions into outmuscling one another, each convinced that the next breakthrough would come from scale alone. But that logic is starting to crack. The industry now faces bottlenecks that no single lab, no matter how well-resourced, can solve in isolation. Training data is plateauing. Safety problems are g
The AI Chapter That’s Bringing Community Back to St. Pete/Tampa Bay
When AI comes to mind, what’s often the main factor you think of? Is it the fast generation? The ability to analyze data seamlessly? The innovative upgrades? How about the impact on the community? If you considered the last attribute, then you’re in the right place. In today’s AI era, it is not always about the latest and greatest capabilities that make AI what it is. In reality, it is about AI’s contribution to overall society, and how we, as a community, choose to live alon
How AI Is Rewriting U.S. Policy
The concept of politics is traditionally defined as this: the process of making regulatory decisions for a specific area, often involving governmental leaders and parties in order to influence power and control. If you are an American citizen, most likely you’ve been a part of politics someway, somehow. Maybe you voted in the last election or you learned about it in school. Whatever it may be, the act of policy is evident in most of our lives. Today, politics is changing at q
How Vibe-Coding Is Democratizing the Field
With vibe-coding, success depends less on actually writing code, and more on understanding how AI operates. Not so very long ago, aspiring coders had two options: They could either teach themselves everything about the craft online, painstakingly, or learn their skills in college. But the “vibe-coding” wave is upending that status quo. Coding on vibes means, in no small part, democratization: Anyone can code. With vibe-coding, people describe the code they want, and AI writ
CodeBoxx Celebrates New Learning Opportunities with USF CTPE!
We at CodeBoxx are thrilled to see the University of South Florida Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education (USF CTPE) launch an exciting new course offering! This is a fantastic opportunity for professionals who are ready to invest in their growth, expand their skills, and open new doors in their career journey — something we’re passionate about every day at CodeBoxx. Why this matters USF CTPE empowers learners through practical, career-focused education
Executives advocate for reshaping of workforce following job cuts from AI
As manufacturing is laying off workers in favor of AI and more experienced talent, some argue a workforce transformation is underway. What you'll learn: AI drove manufacturing job losses to a 20-year high in October, though cost-cutting was the primary reason and AI adoption was the second-leading cause. Executives argue AI is reshaping rather than eliminating jobs, with workers transitioning to become "AI supervisors" who focus on problem-solving and innovation while AI hand
Meet TBBW’s 2025 Philanthropists of the Year
Tampa Bay Business and Wealth announces the 2025 Philanthropists of the Year and opens nominations for 2026. Tampa Bay Business and Wealth hosted its 5th Annual Philanthropists of the Year Awards , honoring leaders who uplift our region through service and generosity. The event recognized people and organizations who help Tampa Bay grow stronger. This update shares the highlights from the evening and announces the 2025 winners with space for photos. What Happened? The cere
Is AI now political? Here’s what must happen next
The narrative of artificial intelligence has always been defined as automation. That is, large language models compiling data and gathering existing information in order to generate the quickest response. For the past couple of years, that has been the standard, and that is how society has always trained it to be. Slowly but surely, however, AI is moving in a much different direction. Increasingly, AI is not simply just automation anymore. Headlines have proven it is drifting
The Missing Link in AI Progress: Intent, Not Innovation
Written by Nicolas Genest, CEO and Founder of CodeBoxx It took me the past 12 months to cope with an uncomfortable truth: AI is no longer a frontier or an aspiration, it has already turned into a commodity. The models are here. The platforms are powerful and the entire technology industry is mobilizing to meet demand. The compute power is accessible and scaling. And yet, to many business leaders, the real breakthroughs they were promised still feel out of reach. Why? Because
From Second Chances to Software, Coding Is Rewriting Lives
When Brian Peret sits in front of a classroom of new students at CodeBoxx Academy, he doesn’t see aspiring programmers. He sees people standing at the edge of possibility. Peret, now Director of CodeBoxx Academy, rebuilt his own life after incarceration through the same skill he now teaches: computer coding. “ I know what it feels like to start over with nothing but a laptop and a little belief, ” he says. “ That’s why I show up every day, because someone did that for me. I w
CodeBoxx Powers AI Collaboration as Founding Sponsor of AI Salon in St. Pete/Tampa Bay Area/Orlando
Tampa Bay, FL – October, 29th, 2025 – CodeBoxx , a leading technology and software solutions company, proudly hosted the launch of the AI Salon St. Pete/Tampa Bay Chapter on October 22, marking a major milestone for the region’s growing AI ecosystem. As a founding sponsor, CodeBoxx helps bring the globally recognized AI Salon to the area, with a strong commitment to fuel connection, learning, and collaboration in the AI space. AI Salon is a chapter-based global community uni
Why AI Without Humans Will Fail
When we think about the human race, we think about undeniable potential. The ability to work. The power to make decisions. The courage to help. The right to independence. The list is endless. For centuries, those ideas have been the very core of existence. With the help of humans, together we’ve shaped civilizations, built nations, and carved the path to healthy lives. But now, as artificial intelligence emerges as the next wave of development, what once made us human is no
CodeBoxx Powers AI Collaboration as Founding Sponsor of AI Salon in St. Pete/Tampa Bay Area/Orlando
TAMPA BAY, FL, UNITED STATES, October 29, 2025 / EINPresswire.com / -- CodeBoxx , a leading technology and software solutions company, proudly hosted the launch of the AI Salon St. Pete/Tampa Bay Chapter on October 22, marking a major milestone for the region’s growing AI ecosystem. As a founding sponsor, CodeBoxx helps bring the globally recognized AI Salon to the area, with a strong commitment to fuel connection, learning, and collaboration in the AI space. AI Salon is a c
ThriveAI’s future to be discussed at Oct. 22 event
Community members are invited to discuss the technology’s impact and learn more about how to implement it. An artificial intelligence chapter-based organization will begin to have a presence in the Tampa Bay area. The global platform AI Salon brings business leaders, entrepreneurs and community members together to connect and learn more about how to effectively use the technology. It already has U.S. chapters in a few cities including Miami, Nashville and Atlanta. AI Salon’
What’s the AI of tomorrow? The humans behind it
Whether you’re an active user of AI or a foreigner to the concept, the technology often feels like the greatest frontier we must embrace. Everyday, millions of people speak excitedly of what it can do, how it works, and where it will go next. Yet, somewhere along the way, many forget the critical question around it: what about the people who make it happen? Without centering AI around humanity, the system risks becoming an instrument that prioritizes machines and diminishes
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