The April 29 episode of Techstrong Gang discussed AI security, focusing on prompt injection attacks and vulnerabilities in foundational language models. In the central segment, Stephen Foskett provides an insightful overview of the discussions and innovative solutions presented at AI Infrastructure Field Day 2. He covers key presentations that highlight advancements in AI hardware and software platforms, emphasizing the impact on enterprise IT infrastructure. Catch Techstrong Gang every weekday, and watch for Stephen on most Tuesday episodes!
Big Takeaways from the HPE ProLiant Gen12 Deep Dive with Tech Field Day
Stephen Foskett provides three important points about the HPE ProLiant Gen12 servers during our recent Tech Field Day event. The event highlighted specialized servers for AI workloads and edge deployments, as well as HPE’s commitment to security and innovation. Learn more in this YouTube video!
Quality Data is the Foundation for AI with Qlik
AI ought to be able to help businesses derive value from their data, but not all AI applications have a solid foundation. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast looks forward to Qlik Connect 2025, featuring delegates Gina Rosenthal and Jim Czuprynski discussing the importance of data with Nick Magnuson of Qlik and host Stephen Foskett. Last year Qlik introduced Answers, a RAG AI product that delivers intelligence from unstructured data. This year we expect to see much more integration with structured data, analytics, business intelligence, and agentic AI, as Qlik’s customers seek to deliver innovative solutions. Mature organizations are focused on building a solid governance foundation for their data, ensuring responsible and ethical use in AI applications. The advent of agentic AI raises more concerns, as autonomous agents are empowered to take action without human involvement. Responsible use must include strict limits and human supervision to make sure AI agents remain controlled. We’re looking forward to customer stories, technical takeaways, and maybe some new product introductions at Qlik Connect this year!
Techstrong Gang – April 22, 2025
In the April 22 episode of Techstrong Gang, the middle segment features Stephen Foskett discussing AI Infrastructure Field Day and the recent special Tech Field Day event featuring HPE’s ProLiant team. Emphasizing the rapidly evolving technology needed to support AI, Foskett mentions the overwhelming industry interest that has extended the event to four days, instead of the usual two. This segment underlines both the opportunities and challenges in evolving AI infrastructure to become more efficient and sustainable.
Exploring the Next Generation of HPE ProLiant Servers with Tech Field Day
In this video, Stephen Foskett introduces today’s special event with HPE focusing on the ProLiant server line. The Tech Field Day delegates are learning about their enhanced performance capabilities and advanced management features. For additional information and in-depth coverage of HPE ProLiant Servers, check out more coverage at Techstrong IT!
Servers Are Still Relevant in the Age of Cloud with HPE
Although we live in a world of software, server hardware still matters from datacenter to cloud to edge. This episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast features Scott Shaffer, VP and Chief Technologist at HPE, discussing the evolution of the server with Jack Poller, Vuong Pham, and Stephen Foskett. Although servers might appear to be commoditized, companies like HPE are building optimized designs for various purposes. Edge servers, for example, are a unique form factor and have special requirements for mounting, air filtering, security, power efficiency, management, and more. Datacenter and cloud servers have special optimizations as well, with efficiency, expansion, and cooling in special focus. As we turn to AI and HPC, servers have to support unprecedented levels of electrical power and cooling, with air cooling still very much in demand but incredible advances being made on liquid cooling as well. The Tech Field Day delegates will be on-site with HPE on the same day this episode airs, learning more about the ProLiant line. Tune in and watch the Tech Field Day presentations on YouTube.
We Are Still in the Early Innings of AI
Alastair Cooke explores the nascent stage of AI development following a delegate discussion at AI Field Day 6. The panel emphasized that while significant progress has been made, the technological journey is still in its early phases. They also discussed various advancements and challenges in the AI field, underscoring the potential and limitations currently faced by the industry. For more insights and detailed analysis, watch Techstrong AI.
AI Innovation Inevitably Drives Massive Energy Consumption
In this article, Stephen Foskett examines the significant rise in energy demand directly correlated with advances in artificial intelligence technologies. He highlights concerns about sustainability and the potential environmental impacts of this trend. Watch for more insights from AI Field Day 6 on Techstrong AI.
AI Innovation Inevitably Drives Massive Energy Consumption
The increasing reliance on technology has led to a surge in energy consumption, raising concerns about sustainability. In this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast, recorded live at AI Field Day in San Jose, California, Jim Czuprynski, Jack Poller, Andy Banta, and Stephen Foskett discuss the challenges of powering data centers and the environmental impact of AI and modern computing. They explore potential solutions, including nuclear power, solar energy, and small modular reactors, while also addressing the issue of heat dissipation from high-density computing. The conversation highlights the need for innovation in energy efficiency, with advancements in semiconductor technology and battery storage playing a crucial role. While concerns about power availability persist, the panel remains optimistic that technological progress and cross-industry collaboration will drive sustainable solutions for the future.
Redefining Enterprise AI Strategies at AI Field Day 6
At AI Field Day 6, industry leaders and innovators gathered to redefine enterprise AI strategies, showcasing cutting-edge developments and practical deployments. The discussions highlighted emerging technologies and provided insights into effectively integrating AI into various business sectors. For more about AI Field Day 6, watch for further articles on Gestalt IT.
How MLPerf Proves AI Client and Storage Performance
Stephen Foskett provides his perspective on how MLCommons MLPerf benchmarks are vital in measuring the performance of AI clients and storage systems. He examines the impact of these benchmarks on understanding and improving client and storage hardware efficiency in AI applications. For additional coverage of AI Field Day 6 by Stephen Foskett, watch his LinkedIn Pulse article feed!
Redefining Enterprise AI Strategies at AI Field Day 6
Stephen Foskett gives a preview of AI Field Day 6, highlighting emerging trends and strategies in enterprise AI that are shaping the industry. Presentations will include Broadcom, which is exploring private AI with VMware, MemVerge, Kamiwaza, and MLCommons. Watch the presentations live on the Tech Field Day website and LinkedIn as well as on Techstrong channels!
AI is the Leading Geopolitical Issue
Artificial Intelligence has risen from a plain technical challenge to become the leading geopolitical issue in 2025. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, recorded in advance of AI Field Day, features Dr. Bob Sutor, Mitch Ashley, and Jim Czuprynski discussing the balkanization of AI globally. We have previously talked about data sovereignty, but AI is a technology seen to have international importance. From raw materials to chipmaking to systems design to model training, every nation wants to control AI. The United States recently introduced the AI Diffusion Framework to control not just access to chips but also sovereignty of the AI models themselves. We are really just starting to develop AI systems with large language models and yet companies and researchers are already recognizing that we need to move beyond words to spatial, temporal, and true understanding of the world. We are on the cusp of the next space race as regions and nations compete to be the center of the AI universe.
Where Does Agentic AI Get Its Reasoning Smarts
In this article for Techstrong AI, Sulagna Saha explores the development of advanced reasoning capabilities in Agentic AI, focusing on how these systems acquire and refine their intelligent decision-making processes. She investigates the sources and techniques employed in training AI to simulate human-like reasoning, questioning the implications for future technology. This article was inspired by a talk on agentic AI given by Stephen Foskett during AI Data Infrastructure Field Day 1.
AI Chatbots – A Chatty Companion or a Sneaky Trap?
In a recent analysis following an AI Field Day delegate roundtable, Sulagna Saha explores the double-edged nature of AI chatbots, assessing their benefits as efficient virtual assistants versus their risks as potential privacy invaders. Saha critically examines the mechanisms behind these AI systems, how they interact with user data, and the implications for personal privacy and security. For comprehensive insights into AI Field Day 5, check out more articles by Sulagna Saha on Techstrong AI.
Automation Will Change Our Socio-Economic Canvas. But Can It Assure Economic Well-being?
Sulagna Saha explores the socio-economic implications of automation, questioning whether advancements in technology can guarantee economic well-being for all. She discusses the potential benefits and challenges posed by increased automation in various sectors. This article was based on a delegate roundtable discussion at Cloud Field Day 21. For further insights, check out more articles by Sulagna Saha on Gestalt IT.
Techstrong Gang – December 18, 2024
Stephen Foskett provides an in-depth analysis of the presentations and technological showcases at Tech Field Day during his December 18 appearance on Techstrong Gang. He focuses on the innovative uses of artificial intelligence in enterprise technologies, which were highlighted during the event. For additional insights and coverage on Tech Field Day, watch Stephen Foskett’s regular appearances on Techstrong Gang.
Technology Silos Are a Thing of the Past
Enterprise IT has long been divided into silos. This is because of scarce resources and specialized knowledge required to perform some IT operations tasks. The world of today is much more focused on outcomes and the need for silos is waning. In this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast, Stephen Foskett, Alastair Cooke, and Tom Hollingsworth discuss how enterprise IT has moved away from silos due to increased resource availability and cross training. They also look ahead to new challenges from advances like AI and quantum computing.
Southworks – AppDev Field Day – KubeCon @cncf 2024
During AppDev Field Day 2 at KubeCon 2024, Jon Myer explored SOUTHWORKS’ innovative approach to application development, which they term “development on demand.” Unlike conventional system integrators, SOUTHWORKS offers scoped projects with a flat-fee pricing structure, emphasizing knowledge transfer to minimize customer dependencies for future modifications. Their approach, likened to a “SWAT team” for software tasks, such as app development and migrations, was well received by delegates. Attendees particularly valued how SOUTHWORKS harnesses sophisticated cloud functionalities and facilitates cloud-to-cloud mobility, effectively addressing prevalent challenges in the industry. Their strategy of offering scalable engineering resources was noted for its potential to significantly enhance organizational efficiency and flexibility in software development efforts.
Company Acquisitions are a Necessary Evil in Enterprise Tech
The IT industry’s reliance on acquisitions is a necessary driver of innovation, though they often seem to get in the way of competition and progress. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, recorded during Cloud Field Day 21, features Ray Lucchesi, Jon Hildebrand, Ken Nalbone, and Stephen Foskett considering whether acquisitions in the IT industry are a necessary evil or a detriment to innovation. Acquisitions are often seen as a double-edged sword, with both positive and negative implications. On one hand, acquisitions can fuel innovation by providing smaller companies with the resources and market access they need to scale their ideas. On the other hand, they can stifle competition, lead to cultural clashes, and sometimes result in the disappearance of promising technologies or products.