In our program, students often attend our masterclasses, conducted by captains of the open source industry, or our own professors. One of these Masterclasses is about the influence from AI on coding.
In this blog we are going to compare the creation of the Taj Mahal to the Burj Khalifa.
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal, an iconic symbol of love and one of the most renowned architectural marvels in the world, stands as a testament to the enduring love of a Mughal emperor for his beloved wife. The story of its construction is as captivating as the monument itself.
In the early 17th century, the Mughal Empire was at the height of its power and splendor under the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan was deeply in love with his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whom he had married in 1612. Mumtaz Mahal was not only his beloved wife but also his trusted confidante and advisor. Their love story was legendary, and they were inseparable.
Tragically, Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 while giving birth to their fourteenth child. Her untimely death left Shah Jahan heartbroken and grief-stricken. To honor her memory and immortalize their love, Shah Jahan decided to build a magnificent mausoleum that would stand as a symbol of their eternal bond.
The construction of the Taj Mahal began around 1632 and took over two decades to complete. The site chosen for the monument was on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, where a lush garden and a serene atmosphere provided the perfect setting for a memorial of such grandeur.
Shah Jahan assembled a team of the finest architects, artisans, and craftsmen from across India and beyond. The chief architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, was a renowned figure in Mughal architecture, and his vision played a crucial role in the design of the Taj Mahal. The construction involved thousands of workers, including masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, and artisans who specialized in various decorative arts.
The Taj Mahal was built using the finest materials available at the time. White marble, sourced from Makrana in Rajasthan, was the primary building material, chosen for its purity and luminescence. Precious and semi-precious stones, such as jade, crystal, lapis lazuli, amethyst, and turquoise, were inlaid into the marble in intricate floral patterns, a technique known as pietra dura. The calligraphy on the monument, featuring verses from the Quran, was executed with remarkable precision and elegance.
The design of the Taj Mahal is a harmonious blend of Islamic, Persian, and Indian architectural styles. The central dome, flanked by four minarets, is the most recognizable feature of the monument. The symmetrical layout, with the mausoleum at the center and the reflecting pool in front, creates a sense of balance and harmony. The gardens surrounding the Taj Mahal, designed in the Charbagh style, symbolize the gardens of paradise.
Despite the grandeur and opulence of the Taj Mahal, its construction was not without challenges. The sheer scale of the project required meticulous planning and coordination. The transportation of materials, especially the marble, was a logistical feat in itself. The craftsmen worked tirelessly, using their skills and expertise to bring Shah Jahan's vision to life.
Finally, in 1653, the Taj Mahal was completed. It stood as a breathtaking tribute to Mumtaz Mahal and a testament to the love that inspired its creation. The monument's beauty and grandeur have captivated visitors for centuries, and it continues to be a symbol of love and devotion.
However, the story of the Taj Mahal does not end with its completion. Legend has it that Shah Jahan intended to build a black Taj Mahal across the river as his own tomb, but this plan never materialized. In his later years, Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and spent the remainder of his life under house arrest, gazing at the Taj Mahal from his window.
Today, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It attracts millions of visitors each year, who come to marvel at its architectural brilliance and be moved by the love story that inspired its creation. The Taj Mahal remains an enduring symbol of love, art, and human achievement, standing as a testament to the power of devotion and the indomitable spirit of those who dared to dream and create.
Around 40000 labourers worked 22 years on the creation of the Taj Mahal, using tools and methods, relative to their time period.
Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, stands as a testament to human ingenuity and ambition. Its construction is a story of vision, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
In the early 2000s, Dubai, a city in the United Arab Emirates, was rapidly transforming into a global hub of commerce and tourism. The city's leaders envisioned a monument that would not only be a symbol of Dubai's progress but also a beacon of architectural achievement. The idea for the Burj Khalifa was born out of this vision.
The project began in 2004, initially known as Burj Dubai. The design was entrusted to Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, a renowned architectural firm, with Adrian Smith as the chief architect. The goal was to create a structure that would surpass all existing skyscrapers in height and set new standards for engineering and design.
The construction site was carefully chosen in the heart of Dubai, near the bustling downtown area. The foundation of the Burj Khalifa required meticulous planning and execution. The building's immense height and weight necessitated a robust foundation that could withstand the forces of nature and the test of time. A massive concrete and steel foundation was laid, with piles driven deep into the ground to ensure stability.
The design of the Burj Khalifa is inspired by patterns in Islamic architecture, particularly the spiral minaret. The building's tapering shape, with setbacks that reduce its mass as it rises, is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, as it helps to minimize wind resistance. The exterior is clad in reflective glass, which shimmers in the desert sun and creates a striking visual effect.
The construction of the Burj Khalifa involved a global effort, with materials and expertise sourced from around the world. The project employed thousands of workers, who toiled day and night to bring the vision to life. Advanced construction techniques and technologies were used to overcome the challenges posed by the building's unprecedented height.
One of the most significant challenges was the vertical transportation system. The Burj Khalifa features some of the fastest and longest-traveling elevators in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 10 meters per second. The installation of these elevators required precise engineering and coordination.
As the building rose higher, so did the challenges. Wind forces, temperature variations, and the logistics of transporting materials to great heights all had to be carefully managed. The construction team used innovative solutions, such as prefabricated components and advanced crane systems, to overcome these obstacles.
In 2010, after six years of construction, the Burj Khalifa was finally completed. Standing at a staggering height of 828 meters (2,717 feet), it surpassed all previous records and became the tallest man-made structure in the world. The building's inauguration was a moment of pride and celebration for Dubai and the entire region.
The Burj Khalifa is more than just a skyscraper; it is a vertical city that houses residential spaces, offices, hotels, restaurants, and observation decks. The building's design and engineering have set new benchmarks for sustainability and efficiency, incorporating advanced systems for energy management, water conservation, and environmental control.
Today, the Burj Khalifa is an iconic symbol of Dubai and a testament to human achievement. It attracts visitors from around the world, who come to marvel at its architectural brilliance and experience the breathtaking views from its observation decks. The story of the Burj Khalifa is one of vision, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, inspiring future generations to dream big and reach for the skies.
The building of the Burj Khalifa took 5 years and 10000 artisans where involved, using modern equipment.
Analogy
The programmer of yesterday, is as the artisan of the ancient times, working as a carpenter with relative primitive tools on humongous projects, which changed the face of the earth. Since the Internet of things revolution, a lot has changed. When you go to the shop today, to buy a new refrigerator, vacuum cleaner or tooth brush, they probably have an internet connection. More and more devices entering today's market are interconnected and run on Linux. Not only we need more and more programmers, to create all software for these devices, They are also free and open source, where in our battle open hardware will be the next step. Building large software bases, with complex interoperable software layers is a complex procedure which still needs a human overseer, a human artisan, assisted by AI software tools. The usage of AI by a modern day FOSS programmer is not much different from a modern day artisan. They also use tools to create their work of art. AI are the tools of the modern programmer.
During the masterclass the professor will start explaining which kind of Open Source AI tools are available, and will give an example of the usage.