Airtable Launches AI-Powered 'Cobuilder' for Instant No-Code App Development

Airtable Launches AI-Powered 'Cobuilder' for Instant No-Code App Development

Airtable, a leading player in the no-code application development space, has unveiled Cobuilder, a new AI-powered tool that promises to transform how businesses create custom applications. Cobuilder allows users to generate customizable apps within seconds using natural language prompts, potentially lowering the barrier to entry for in-house app development.

The tool leverages large language models to interpret user requests and translate them into functional applications. For example, a film director could describe their need for a pre-production management app, and Cobuilder would generate a tailored solution based on that input.

Howie Liu, Airtable's founder and CEO, framed the launch in the context of a broader shift in enterprise software: "Companies are already starting to move away from the traditional path of buying SaaS point solutions. Within the next five years, teams will build the vast majority of applications in-house, customizing them to transform their most critical workflows."

Cobuilder's natural language input system allows non-technical team members to initiate the development process by simply describing their desired app. The AI then quickly produces a preview, enabling rapid ideation and iteration. While the initial structure is AI-generated, users can modify and refine the app to better suit their specific needs, all within Airtable's established no-code platform.

Regarding privacy concerns, Airtable says that customer data used with Cobuilder is not utilized to train current or future language models. The company also points out that they support multiple AI models from providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, IBM, and Meta, and that users can choose based on their specific needs or preferences.

Airtable claims that during beta testing, 90% of AI-generated apps were deemed useful and impactful by users. The company reports adoption across various industries, including media, technology, financial services, and retail.

While Cobuilder's launch is significant, it's part of a wider AI integration strategy at Airtable. The company also announced additional AI features, such as document information extraction and internet search capabilities, along with support for multiple AI models from providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, IBM, and Meta.

As businesses increasingly look to create custom solutions without traditional coding, tools like Cobuilder could accelerate the trend toward in-house app development. It will be interesting to see the depth and flexibility of AI-generated apps compared to those coded by developers.

Airtable's Cobuilder is available now to new and existing customers. The company plans to expand its capabilities over time, including features like incorporating existing datasets and providing chat-based app editing support.

Chris McKay is the founder and chief editor of Maginative. His thought leadership in AI literacy and strategic AI adoption has been recognized by top academic institutions, media, and global brands.

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