Building a Matrix-themed Chat Interface with Heroku's New Managed Inference API
The Heroku Managed Inference and Agent add-on is currently in pilot. Apply to join the Managed Inference and Agents Pilot here.
Like many developers of my generation, The Matrix left an indelible mark on my imagination. I was captivated by this mind-bending film about a programmer who discovers he's living in a simulated reality. The movie painted a dark vision of an AI-driven future, but it also presented something that stuck with me: the idea that interactions with computers could feel natural, fluid, and almost conversational.
When Heroku announced their new Managed Inference and Agent Add-on, I saw an opportunity to experiment. Like many developers, I learn best by building something hands-on, even if it's just a fun side project. What better way to explore the capabilities of this new tool than by creating a Matrix-themed chat interface? Not to save humanity from machine overlords, but to understand what's possible with modern AI tools in a familiar Heroku environment.
This is the story of my experimental project – a playful homage to The Matrix that helped me grasp the practical aspects of working with Heroku's new AI features. Whether you're a fan of the movie or just curious about integrating AI into your Heroku applications, I hope you'll find something useful in my learnings.
