Naming a new product which is a "partner that helps you by making it easier" "Bob" seems like a... lack of historical awareness?

Hey now, sure, Microsoft Bob didn't get us ordinary users a "partner that helps you by making it easier", but it DID help MS Bob product owner Melinda French get a "partner that helps you by getting 10+ billion dollars" in the end, amiright?

<joking>

Maybe IBM is signalling it is likewise hoping for 10 billion dollars while also realizing the (AI) partner might not end up being that helpful either??

<further joking>

After what we've learned about Billy gates in the last year im not certain that's such a good deal.

It's a reference to Bob the builder, the children's TV show. You know, because AI IDEs help you build stuff

MS Bob was for adults… although there were kid dedicated areas, like the den, and I seem to remember packard bell navigator being a kid-friendly reskin.

It was for adults, but the design was quite childish.

for… kids? :/

Children were, and are, permitted to use the computer.

My first thought as well!!