Aptly: Making Mobile Apps from Natural Language

Author(s)
Patton, Evan; Kim, David; Granquist, Ashley; Liu, Robin; Scott, Arianna; ... Show more
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Abstract
This paper introduces Aptly, a platform designed to democratize mobile app development, particularly for young learners. Aptly integrates a Large Language Model (LLM) with App Inventor, enabling users to create apps using their natural language. User’s description is translated into a programming language that corresponds with App Inventor’s visual blocks. A preliminary study with high school students demonstrated the usability and potential of the platform. Prior programming experience influenced how users interact with Aptly. Participants identified areas for improvement and expressed a shift in perspective regarding programming accessibility and AI’s role in creative endeavors.
Description
CHI EA ’25, Yokohama, Japan
Date issued
2025-04-25
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/164378
Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Publisher
ACM|Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Citation
Evan W Patton, David Y Kim, Ashley M Granquist, Robin Liu, Arianna Scott, Jennet Zamanova, and Harold Abelson. 2025. Aptly: Making Mobile Apps from Natural Language. In Proceedings of the Extended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA '25). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 73, 1–6.
Version: Final published version
ISBN
979-8-4007-1395-8
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