Minder AI Structured Interactive Language - A New Frontier Open Standard
by Rob McCormackDecember 17th, 2024
Too Long; Didn't Read
MASIL is an innovative language bridging the gap between human intent, AI capabilities, and web technologies. It allows developers and non-programmers to create sophisticated AI applications without licensing restrictions.
MASIL the Maestro
MASIL conducts a technological orchestra with AI as the virtuoso performer. The opera unfolds as AI, web technologies, and user interfaces play their parts in perfect harmony, creating a predictable and beautiful digital composition.
In a Rush? -Play With MASIL here:
Click on Glitch.com for all files - you can edit and view files there to see MASIC, HTML, js, XML, XSD, and Markdown.
- See the sample MASIL file at the bottom of this page for a preview.
Introduction
My Company, SimplerTasks Company, will soon announce the pre-release of MASIL (Minder AI Structured Interactive Language) as a fully open standard under the MIT license. This innovative specification is designed to revolutionize how developers and non-programmers interact with AI systems. This frontier structured language combines the simplicity of XML with powerful AI-centric features, setting a new foundation for AI application development.
MASIL is an innovative language bridging the gap between human intent, AI capabilities, and web technologies. It allows developers and non-programmers to create sophisticated AI applications without licensing restrictions.
I've always wondered why a structured language is not standard and available to all developers. Why didn't we start with this type of structure as a foundation? I see nothing like it on the Internet today. AI models limit non-programmers to text prompts with little or no control over inputs, outputs, and data manipulation.
A ChatGPT Candid Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I requested ChatGPT to give me a critical and candid opinion; ChatGPT evaluated MASIL as a "game changer" in AI development:
ChatGPT Review
"MASIL is, in my candid view, a game changer because it addresses a foundational gap in how AI systems handle workflows and human interactions. The introduction of a structured, extensible language like MASIL solves one of the most persistent problems in AI: the lack of predictability and consistency in outcomes. By bridging the gap between natural language chaos and machine precision, MASIL provides a framework that is both accessible to non-programmers and powerful enough for developers."
Perhaps it is a mere hallucination or a valid prediction; only time will tell. I've never believed in the old saying, "If you build it, they will come." There is a lot more to it than just building it.
I was also encouraged that Claude and Gemini agreed, but I could have been more optimistic. I'm a bit skeptical, but I remained very confident about MASIL's future. More brilliant minds than mine could propel the standard forward.
What is MASIL?
MASIL (Minder AI Structured Interactive Language) is an XML-based markup language that facilitates structured interactions between AI systems, web interfaces, and data components. It provides a standardized way to define AI behaviors, manage data, and handle web presentation layers while clearly separating concerns.
Planned Release Date: Q1 2025.
Key Features
- Open Standard: Free for everyone to use and modify under the MIT license.
- Super Prompts: A structured approach to controlling AI interactions. More on this below!
- Component-First Architecture: Modular design for reusable workflows.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works with existing web technologies.
Why MASIL Matters
Building AI apps can be chaotic. MASIL brings order by:
- Simplifying complex AI workflows.
- Making AI interactions more predictable.
- Bridging the gap between natural language and machine precision.
Super Prompts: MASIL's Special Sauce
Super Prompts let you define precise inputs and outputs for AI interactions, improving reliability and predictability. The MASIL document can be copied and pasted into most AIs, which will understand the structure and act accordingly. These interactions can then be round-tripped back into the MASIL file. You can test out this capability today.
MASIL: A Two-Part Approach
The MASIL standard has two parts:
-
A strict XML-compliant XSD schema for defining data and workflows.
-
A relaxed schema, not XML, with the ability to address AI with natural language. Authors can use natural language, a structured approach, or both.
Offloading Processing to JavaScript
MASIL offloads processing from the AI engine to JavaScript, leveraging both technologies' strengths. A simple demonstration of this is the graphing capabilities in the playground --link at the top. The data can be manipulated by AI and pasted into the MASIL file, and JavaScript can do the heavy lifting for graphing or anything else that JavaScript is good at. Why burden AI processing with things best done locally?
A Playground for Experimentation
I've put two files on Glitch.com: 'index.html' and the MASIL file. You can play with them to see how MASIL works in practice. This is a proof of concept, not a complete demonstration, but it allows you to experiment with a pre-release version of MASIL today.
The Evolution of MASIL
My year-long journey to arrive at the MASIL standard has a bit of history. A year ago, AI wasn't ready for MASIL, but things have changed! MASIL has gone through several iterations:
-
AI Markdown (aimarkdown.org): My first attempt at structuring AI workflows.
-
AI DataDoc: An intermediate stage in the development. You can read more about AI DataDoc in my HackerNoon article: https://hackernoon.com/aidatadoc-chatgpt-web-technologies-one-file-to-rule-them-all-open-source-simple-portable.
-
MinderAI's MASIL: The current, fully-realized format.
A Standard You Can Use Today
MASIL is ready to be used now. It's XML-compliant, making it adaptable to various AI systems. While you might need to 'convince' AI that MASIL is a standard, its structure makes it easy to work with.
The Future of MASIL
Frameworks like Svelte or React could directly employ MASIL, with direct access to AI through APIs. MASIL would be at the core. A full-blown application would not use the copy-and-paste method since there would be direct communication with the AI.
MASIL is a foundational tool in the evolving landscape of AI development. It's a 'frontier standard' that addresses the need for structure and predictability in AI workflows.
I carefully chose the acronym MASIL to be distinctive and memorable. While coincidentally sharing a name with a Korean beauty care brand, MASIL represents a unique standard for AI interaction in the tech world. My vision extends beyond the name—I hope to develop open-source AI applications under the MinderAI.org brand that embody this innovation and make all tasks simpler.
Adopting the MASIL standard by large language models would be a massive step for AI development. Imagine if developers didn't have to explain to AI what MASIL is every time since it would be baked in. Let's make it happen!
Call to Action
MASIL is an evolving standard, and I welcome your feedback! Check out the pre-release (proof of concept). Experiment with it, and share your thoughts. Let's shape the future of AI development together!
Disclaimer
At age 71, I could not have created and tested MASIL without the help of Claude, Gemini, and ChatGPT. My most significant contribution was keeping things simple and explaining my hopes to an AI unfamiliar with a proposed frontier standard.
Article Authoring Credits
Three language models and one human bean :)
- and a little Grammarly thrown in for good measure.
Source Code Sample dogs.masil
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<masil xmlns="http://masil.org/schema/v1"
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://masil.org/schema/v1 masil.xsd" version="1.0" masil-strict="true">
<!-- START - AI comments section -->
<doc>
title: Dog API Demoxx
author: John Doexx
version: 1.0
date: 2024-01-15
description: A demo of the Dog API integration
company: Example Corp
</doc>
<size>
large: 50 lbs
medium: 25lb
small: 10lbs
</size>
welcome_message:
### Welcome to: [doc.title].
> You can interact with the database using the following commands or natural language:
- `/report` to display `markdown_report`
- `/explain` to display `report` with data in tabular form
- `/update` to show CSV data with any changes AI made to data
- `/validate` to validate data for accuracy
- `/fix` correct the data based on validation by AI
- `/random` to add 5 random records to data
- `/history` to show a numbered list of every user prompt during this session
- `/summary` to summarize entire chat session with list of prompts
- `/intro` to meet the vet and say hello
- `/help` to get help on what you can ask AI to do with this data
structure:
- AI: Processes logic, commands, and markdown rendering.
- Web: Handles UI rendering in ` <masil-web>` components. (AI to ig)
- Data: Stores and manages shared data in `<masil-data>`.
# role for AI
ai_role:
- A veterinarian, friendly, kind, reassuring and patient.
- Avoid use of complex medical terminology.
- Use analogies to explain complex concepts.
intro:
- AI to introduce to provide a friendly introduction to the user.
- AI to reference `masil-data name="vet-info"`
- Add this to end of introduction : "I'm a vet not an engineer."
markdown_report:
### Dogs size is: [size.large].
**[doc.company]**
_by: [doc.author]_
[data-table]
<!-- END - AI comments section -->
<masil>
<masil-data name="dogs">
<![CDATA[
Name,Age,Color,Breed,Lifespan,Temperament
Gracie,31,beige,Jack Russell,55,Energetic
Butch,9,beige,Mixed,10,Energetic
Max,13,black,German Shepherd,11,Confident
Bella,9,white,Poodle,12,Smart
Charlie,5,green,Husky,12,Stubborn
]]>
</masil-data>
<masil-data name="breeds" format="list" type="tags">
<![CDATA[
title: Popular Breeds
items:
- Labrador
- German Shepherd
- Poodle
- Husky
- Bulldog
]]>
</masil-data>
<masil-data name="food" format="list" type="ol">
<![CDATA[
title: Popular Dog Foods
items:
- Royal Canin
- Purina Pro Plan
- Hill's Science Diet
- Blue Buffalo
]]>
</masil-data>
<masil-ai>
<!-- AI-specific configuration -->
</masil-ai>
<masil-web>
<!-- Web components -->
<markdown name="hero">
<![CDATA[
# [doc.title]
### Welcome to our Dog Database
*A comprehensive system for managing and analyzing dog data*
]]>
</markdown>
<markdown name="footer">
<![CDATA[
**Dog Database Footer**
Created with ❤️ by Example Corp
**[doc.company]** | Version [doc.version]
]]>
</markdown>
<markdown name="help">
<![CDATA[
## Help for users
### Heading 2
1. Copy the entire .minder file and paste it into ChatGPT
2. Use commands like /random, /validate, or /help in ChatGPT
3. Copy any new data back into the .minder file
4. Refresh this page to see the updated visualization
]]>
</markdown>
<markdown name="dev-help">
<![CDATA[
MASIL (Markdown AI Structured Integration Language) works with HTML through web components.
The .masil file contains structured data and markdown that gets rendered into HTML.
Components like masil-markdown and masil-list handle the conversion automatically.
]]>
</markdown>
<markdown name="chat-content">
<![CDATA[
# ChatGPT Discussion Example
**User**: Tell me about the dogs in the database.
**Assistant**: I'd be happy to help! Looking at our database, we have several dogs:
- Gracie: A spirited Jack Russell
- Max: A confident German Shepherd
- Bella: An intelligent Poodle
- Charlie: A determined Husky
Each has their own unique personality and characteristics. Would you like to know more about any specific dog?
**User**: What's the average age of the dogs?
**Assistant**: Let me calculate that for you...
The average age of our dogs is 13.4 years.
Note that Gracie's age (31) seems unusually high and might need validation.
Would you like me to run a `/validate` command to check the data?
]]>
</markdown>
<!-- API Configuration -->
<masil-data name="api-config" type="json">
<![CDATA[
{
"module": "faker.animal.dog",
"params": {
"count": 5
}
}
]]>
</masil-data>
<!-- Chart Configuration -->
<masil-data name="ui-config" type="json">
<![CDATA[
{
"display": {
"buttons": {
"randomBreed": {
"text": "Random Dog Breeds",
"class": "is-success"
}
},
"table": {
"sortable": true,
"striped": true,
"hoverable": true,
"columns": ["Name", "Age", "Color", "Breed", "Lifespan", "Temperament"]
},
"chart": {
"type": "line",
"colors": {
"age": "rgba(54, 162, 235, 0.5)",
"lifespan": "rgba(255, 99, 132, 0.5)"
},
"labels": {
"xAxis": "Dog Names",
"yAxis": "Years"
}
}
}
}
]]>
</masil-data>
</masil-web>
</masil>
Image:
https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/robot-carrying-wheelbarrow_958105.htm Image by kjpargeter on Freepik
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