What is Kotlin and what are its key advantages over Java?

Kotlin is a statically typed programming language developed by JetBrains that runs on the JVM. Key advantages: 1) Null safety - prevents NullPointerException at compile time, 2) Concise syntax - reduces boilerplate code, 3) 100% Java interoperability, 4) Coroutines for asynchronous programming, 5) Extension functions, 6) Data classes, 7) Smart casts, 8) Functional programming support.