2025 was the year of AI Mania. Everyone wants you to know where they stand with AI in their product. Tech Field Day has a different approach. In this special year end episode, Tom Hollingsworth, Stephen Foskett, and Alastair Cooke look back at the discussions and deep dives into AI and how Tech Field Day grounded them all in practical real terms. Our event leads discuss the boring reality of AI tools and how AI has a dual nature that must be understood to get real value. They also debate the changing landscape of security where AI is concerned, including the importance of data sovereignty. They wrap up with a focus on the fundamentals and how Tech Field Day continues to make those important for the community at large.
Generative AI Coding Tools Make Enterprise Applications Worse
AI is writing a large proportion of modern software and Generative AI coding tools make enterprise applications worse. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast looks at AI generated applications with Calvin Hendryx-Parker, Jim Czuprynski, Jay Cuthrell, and Alastair Cooke. Satya Nadella says that up to 30% of the code Microsoft writes is AI generated, AWS is at about 25% AI generated code. We ponder whether there is a link between this AI generated code and the quality of the Windows 11 codebase, possibly even the recent AWS outage? Calvin has hands-on experience with a range of AI coding tools, finding he uses different AI tools for specialist tasks in his development projects. The easy task for AI coding is translating existing applications from one platform version to another, or rewriting existing application code in new languages. Both these tasks are onerous for human developers and ideal for an AI assistant. The unanswered question is whether generative AI tools can handle creating new functionality in enterprise applications, can AI fulfill the role of the senior developer or software architect?
Qlik Answers: Simplifying Data Analysis with Qlik’s AI Assistant
In this video, Jim Czuprynski and Alastair Cooke share their reactions to Qlik Answers after trying out the product as part of a Tech Field Day project. Qlik Answers, an AI-powered chat assistant, simplifies data querying by effortlessly importing complex documents and providing accurate, transparent answers. Its logging and attribution features enhance trust, while its potential to support structured data makes it accessible to non-technical users.
What Does It Mean To Bring the Cloud Experience Home?
Alastair Cooke’s article explores the concept of replicating the cloud experience within on-premises infrastructure, focusing on how businesses can achieve the agility and flexibility of cloud services directly from their own data centers. He discusses the various strategies, technologies, and challenges involved in transitioning to a hybrid model that supports seamless operation between cloud and on-prem environments. For further details from Broadcom’s VMware presentation at KubeCon, watch for coverage by Alastair Cooke on Techstrong IT.
The Attack Surface of Cloud-Based Generative AI Applications is Evolving
Alastair Cooke discusses the expanding attack surface of cloud-based generative AI applications, highlighting how their evolving nature introduces new security challenges. He emphasizes the importance of adapting cybersecurity strategies to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities inherent in these innovative technologies. For additional commentary on the Fortinet presentation at Cloud Field Day 24, check out Security Boulevard!
Commvault Launches AI Powered Cloud Unity Platform – YouTube
Tom Hollingsworth recently explored the launch of Commvault’s latest innovation, the AI-powered Cloud Unity platform, in a new YouTube video. This platform is designed to enhance data management capabilities by integrating artificial intelligence to streamline cloud operations. For more insights from Commvault SHIFT 2025, follow us on social media, and catch new episodes of the Tech Field Day Rundown every Wednesday on YouTube.
The Cloud Scout Model Delivers Reliability As An Embedded Capability
Alastair Cooke’s recent article discusses how the Cloud Scout Model is ingeniously designed to integrate reliability as a core functionality. This model focuses on proactive problem-solving and maintenance, enhancing cloud infrastructure performance and minimizing downtime. For further insights from the SOUTHWORKS presentation at KubeCon, check out the coverage on Techstrong’s DevOps site.
Cloud Native Doesn’t Have to Mean Cloud-Frustrating
In a recent article by Alastair Cooke following a recent presentation by Traefik Labs, the complexities and potential frustrations of navigating cloud-native environments are discussed, emphasizing that adopting such technologies doesn’t necessarily equate to a seamless experience. Cooke explores the challenges businesses face, such as integration difficulties and the steep learning curve, while also suggesting ways to mitigate these issues through strategic planning and skilled resource allocation. For further reactions from KubeCon, follow Alastair on Cloud Native Now.
Simplification of IT is Really an Illusion
Simplification in IT is an illusion; increasing complexity outpaces every effort to simplify. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, recorded on-site at Cloud Field Day 24, features Camberley Bates, Nathan Nielsen, Guy Currier, and Alastair Cooke. Cloud services and centralized management platforms offer simplified interfaces but also introduce a multitude of choices and underlying complexities. History matters; advancements from mainframes to PCs demonstrate continuously shifting goalposts, while the more recent integration of cloud and AI contributes to increased complexity. It may be that AI brings simply advanced simplicity, yet it may also bring the unintended consequence of people becoming “ignorant” of how IT works. CIOs and CTOs need to think strategically to manage increasingly complex environments, striking a balance between patchwork fixes and long-term strategic approaches.
The Cloud Experience is Not a Place
Alastair Cooke discusses the misconception that the cloud is a specific location, emphasizing that it’s more accurately described as an experience influenced by how IT services are delivered and utilized. He explores the implications of this perspective for business strategies and IT operations, stressing that flexibility and adaptability are key to leveraging cloud capabilities fully. For more Cloud Field Day and HPE coverage, visit Techstrong IT.
Re-Integrating Hardware and Software for On-Premises Hyperscale
Alastair Cooke discusses the trend of hyperscale architectures being re-integrated with hardware specifically designed for on-premises environments, highlighting how this approach can leverage efficiencies similar to those seen in large-scale data centers. He emphasizes the significance of custom, scalable solutions in meeting the unique demands of businesses opting to maintain on-premises infrastructure rather than moving to the cloud. Additional coverage of Cloud Field Day 24 and Oxide Computer can be found on Techstrong IT.
Fortinet’s Fabric-Based Approach to Cloud Security
Alastair Cooke discusses Fortinet’s integrated strategy for cloud security, emphasizing their fabric-based approach designed to ensure robust security across diverse cloud environments. This method consolidates various security tools into a unified framework, enhancing visibility and control while simplifying management. Find more coverage of Cloud Field Day 24 by Cooke on Security Boulevard.
Well Managed Kubernetes Means Infrastructure Finally Doesn’t Matter
In a world of well-managed Kubernetes, we hoped that infrastructure finally wouldn’t matter. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features John Willis and Guy Currier wishing that infrastructure didn’t matter, with Alastair Cooke. Every new infrastructure revolution claims to make infrastructure invisible, from virtualization through HCI and cloud to containers and Kubernetes. The reality has always been that these revolutions shift the definition of infrastructure and bring some new aspect to be managed. Developers building features and applications want to focus on satisfying some business need, not considering storage devices and network configurations. Virtualization and Kubernetes both made delivering infrastructure easier, but neither eliminated infrastructure architecture and management. The dream of self-deploying and self-organizing infrastructure is as distant as it ever was. Agentic AI is the latest new hope to eliminate infrastructure challenges, yet it brings its own complex infrastructure requirements. Will we ever stop caring about IT infrastructure?
Tech Field Day Returns to KubeCon North America Live from Atlanta!
Tech Field Day is back at KubeCon North America 2025, broadcasting live from Atlanta,November 10–13! You can tune in to all the action live on the Tech Field Day LinkedIn page or on Techstrong TV.
The Enterprise Data Cloud: Pure Storage’s Vision for a Unified Data Plane
In his latest article, Alastair Cooke explores Pure Storage’s forward-thinking initiative on establishing an Enterprise Data Cloud aimed at creating a unified data plane. This concept seeks to streamline data accessibility and management across various storage environments, enhancing operational efficiency and data synergy. For additional insights from Cloud Field Day 24, check out further coverage by Alastair Cooke on Techstrong IT.
Conduct your Edge Application Orchestra with Zededa
Alastair Cooke explores how Zededa simplifies orchestrating edge computing applications, emphasizing its solutions that facilitate IT professionals in managing remote computing resources effortlessly. He highlights the operational benefits and scalability offered by Zededa, positioning it as a practical choice for businesses looking to optimize their edge computing strategies. For more insights on this topic, follow Alastair Cooke’s coverage on LinkedIn Pulse.
Private Cloud is Not just Self-Service Virtualization
Private cloud is not just virtualization 4.0, self-service VM deployment doesn’t fulfil the same need as the Public Cloud. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Mike Graff, Jon Hildebrand, and Alastair Cooke. Private cloud has evolved from simple virtualization to a more comprehensive, cloud-like experience, emphasizing the need for on-premises infrastructure to offer the same developer-friendly tools and APIs as public clouds. Some application repatriation is driven by cost concerns and enabled by rise of technologies like Kubernetes and OpenShift for managing containerized workloads. A unified control plane for hybrid cloud environments is vital, as is accurate cost accounting for on-premises resources. Enterprises will search for a hybrid approach where developers can deploy applications without needing to worry about the underlying infrastructure.
The Evolution of Cloud at Cloud Field Day 24
Cloud Field Day 24 is back in San Francisco on October 22nd and 23rd, bringing the brightest minds in enterprise cloud together for two days of innovation, insight, and live demos.
Your Edge Projects will Fail Without Fleet Lifecycle Management with ZEDEDA
Projects to deliver applications to edge locations will fail without comprehensive fleet lifecycle management. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Sachin Vasudeva from Zededa discussing the importance of long-term edge management with Guy Currier and Alastair Cooke. There are unique challenges of managing edge deployments compared to cloud or on-premises environments. Focusing on business logic and application outputs while leveraging infrastructure providers to handle the complexities of packaging, deploying, and monitoring AI models enables diverse edge environments. Edge locations might have different hardware deployed, intermittent connectivity, requiring a balance between standardization and flexibility in managing edge devices and applications. Teams with rapid responsiveness and adaptation will better enable their business to respond to changing conditions, especially with the rapid pace of AI innovation.
Unified Flash Memory and Reduced HBM are Reshaping AI Training and Inference with Phison
AI will need less HBM (high bandwidth memory) because flash memory unification is changing training and inference. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Sebastien Jean from Phison, Max Mortillaro, Brian Martin, and Alastair Cooke. Training, fine-tuning, and inference with Large Language Models traditionally use GPUs with high bandwidth memory to hold entire data models and data sets. Phison’s aiDaptiv+ framework offers the ability to trade lower cost of infrastructure against training speed or allow larger data sets (context) for inference. This approach enables users to balance cost, compute, and memory needs, making larger models accessible without requiring top-of-the-line GPUs, and giving smaller companies more access to generative AI.