Generative AI is transforming many industries where people create content. Software development is no different; AI agents are in almost every development platform. But is AI improving application development and software quality? This episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast looks at some of the issues revolving around AI and App Dev with Alastair Cooke, Guy Currier, Jack Poller, and Stephen Foskett. The ultimate objective of a software development team is to deliver an application that fulfills a business need and helps the organization be more successful. An AI that can recommend basic code snippets doesn’t move that needle far. More sophistication is needed to get value from AI in the development process. The objective should be to have AI handle the repetitive tasks and allow humans to focus on innovative tasks where generative AI is less capable. AI agents must handle building tests and reviewing code for security and correctness to enable developers to concentrate on building better applications that help organizations.
Exploring the Future of App Development at AppDev Field Day from KubeCon and CloudNativeCon
Stephen Foskett introduces AppDev Field Day at KubeCon and CloudNativeCon in Salt Lake City. In addition to attending sessions and briefings, the Tech Field Day delegates will hear presentations by Heroku, Southworks, and Codiac.
Platform9 Launches Private Cloud Director
On the Gestalt IT Rundown, Stephen Foskett reported on Platform9’s release of their new product, Private Cloud Director. This solution provides enterprises with a seamless way to manage private cloud resources, aiming to simplify cloud infrastructure operations. Private Cloud Director is positioned to enhance scalability and provide robust management tools for diverse IT environments. Watch this video, inspired by Platform9’s presentation at Cloud Field Day 21, to learn more!
Techstrong Gang – October 29, 2024
Stephen Foskett appeared on the October 29 episode of Techstrong Gang, focusing on the news from Cloud Field Day 21. He discusses the advancements in cloud technologies presented by VMware, Platform9, and Qumulo, highlighting by VMware’s strategies post-Broadcom acquisition discussed by CMO Prashant Shenoy, targeting core enterprise needs. Platform9 demonstrated its value proposition for smaller companies, and Qumulo, under the leadership of new CEO Douglas Gourlay, concentrated on enhancing AI-driven data storage solutions. Watch the entire episode at Techstrong TV!
Techstrong Gang – October 22, 2024
In this appearance on Techstrong TV, Stephen Foskett discussed the major thematic takeaways from Security Field Day 12: Digital Trust, Supply Chain, and SSE (Secure Services Edge). Watch Techstrong Gang every Tuesday for Foskett’s thoughts, including previews and reactions to Tech Field Day events.
Data Infrastructure Is A Lot More Than Storage
The rise of AI and the importance of data to modern businesses has driven us too recognize that data matters, not storage. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast focuses on AI data infrastructure and features Camberley Bates, Andy Banta, David Klee, and host Stephen Foskett, all of whom will be attending our AI Data Infrastructure Field Day this week. We’ve known for decades that storage solutions must provide the right access method for applications, not just performance, capacity, and reliability. Today’s enterprise storage solutions have specialized data services and interfaces to enable AI workloads, even as capacity has been driven beyond what we’ve seen in the past. Power and cooling is another critical element, since AI systems are optimized to make the most of expensive GPUs and accelerators. AI also requires extensive preparation and organization of data as well as traceability and records of metadata for compliance and reproducibility. Another question is interfaces, with modern storage turning to object stores or even vector database interfaces rather than traditional block and file. AI is driving a profound transformation of storage and data.
Using AI To Connect Business Workflows
In this LinkedIn Pulse article, Stephen Foskett explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the integration of business workflows. He highlights the pivotal role of AI in enhancing communication and automating processes, thereby facilitating more effective and streamlined operations across various industries. Foskett underscores the significance of strategically implementing AI technologies to achieve greater operational efficiency and adaptability in today’s competitive business landscape. This insight was inspired by a briefing with Appian and the recent Integrail presentation at AI Field Day 5.
Techstrong Gang – September 24, 2024
In a recent appearance on Techstrong Gang, our own Stephen Foskett discussed the latest developments in edge solutions following Edge Field Day. The event featured VMware, Avassa, Tsecond, Zededa, and OnLogic showcasing their innovations in edge computing. VMware’s new platform, Avassa’s orchestration, Tsecond’s rugged storage, Zededa’s scalability, and OnLogic’s edge servers demonstrated the diversity of edge solutions. For more insights, check out Stephen Foskett discussing the event on Techstrong Gang with Alan Shimel, Mitch Ashley, and the rest of the gang!
Exploring the Importance of Data Infrastructure at AI Data Infrastructure Field Day 1
At next week’s AI Data Infrastructure Field Day, our panel of delegates will explore the critical role of robust data architectures in powering AI applications. Tune in Wednesday and Thursday as we learn about the latest data infrastructure solutions from Solidigm, Google Cloud, Pure Storage, HPE, MinIO, and Infinidat. The sessions will be live-streamed on LinkedIn and Techstrong TV and posted to YouTube afterward.
AI and Cloud Demand a New Approach to Cyber Resilience featuring Commvault
As companies are exposed to more and more attackers, they’re realizing that cyber resilience is increasingly important. On this episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast, presented by Commvault, Senior Director of Product and Ecosystem Strategy Michael Stempf joins Justin Warren, Karen Lopez, and Stephen Foskett to discuss the growing challenges companies face in today’s cybersecurity landscape. As more organizations transition to a cloud-first operation, they’re recognizing the heightened exposure of their data protection strategies to global compliance mandates like DORA and SCI. Adding to this complexity is the emerging threat of AI, raising important questions about how businesses can adapt and maintain resilience in the face of these evolving risks.
Techstrong Gang – September 17, 2024
Stephen Foskett was a guest on the Techstrong Gang on September 17, where he discussed his observations from AI Field Day 5. Stephen provided an overview of AI Field Day, emphasizing its focus on practical applications of AI, such as productizing large language models (LLMs) and the development of AI agents that can automate processes, moving past the limited scope of chatbots. He also discussed advances in networking from Cisco and Arista, the radical new Ethernet fabric solution from Enfabrica, and the agentic AI platform created by Integrail.
Demand for AI Pushes Up the Global AI PC Adoption Curve
Sulagna Saha highlights the accelerating global adoption of AI-capable PCs, driven by a surge in demand for artificial intelligence applications across various sectors based on Stephen Foskett’s Ignite talk at AppDev Field Day. She notes that this trend is not only reshaping consumer behavior but also influencing major PC manufacturers to integrate more AI-specific capabilities into their products. The shift towards AI-enhanced devices indicates a significant market evolution, where AI functionality is becoming a crucial factor in consumer choice and hardware development.
Hardware Still Matters at the Edge
Hardware innovation at the edge is driven by diverse and challenging environments found outside traditional data centers. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Jack Poller, Stephen Foskett, and Alastair Cooke considering the special requirements of hardware in edge computing prior to Edge Field Day this week. Edge locations, including energy, military, retail, and more, demand robust, tamper-resistant hardware that can endure harsh conditions like extreme temperatures and vibrations. This shift is fostering new hardware designs, drawing inspiration from industries like mobile technology, to support real-time data processing and AI applications. As edge computing grows, the interplay between durable hardware and adaptive software, including containerized platforms, will be crucial for maximizing efficiency and unlocking new capabilities in these dynamic environments.
Taking Technology to the Edge at Edge Field Day 3
Stephen Foskett announces Edge Field Day 3, set for September 18-19, focusing on the critical advancements in edge computing across sectors, with insights from VMware by Broadcom, Avassa, and Tsecond on networking, data migration, and AI. ZEDEDA and OnLogic will provide expertise on edge orchestration and computing solutions, enhancing practical applications in challenging environments. This event will be broadcast live, promoting interactive participation and dialogue on technological advancements in edge computing.
AI Solves All Our Problems
Although AI can be quite useful, it seems that the promise of generative AI has lead to irrational exuberance on the topic. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, recorded ahead of AI Field Day, features Justin Warren, Alastair Cooke, Frederic van Haren, and Stephen Foskett considering the promises made about AI. Generative AI was so impressive that it escaped from the lab, being pushed into production before it was ready for use. We are still living with the repercussions of this decision on a daily basis, with AI assistants appearing everywhere. Many customers are already frustrated by these systems, leading to a rapid push-back against the universal use of LLM chatbots. One problem the widespread mis-use of AI has solved already is the search for a driver of computer hardware and software sales, though this already seems to be wearing off. But once we take stock of the huge variety of tools being created, it is likely that we will have many useful new technologies to apply.
The Shifting Focus of AI at AI Field Day 5
AI Field Day 5 is coming on September 11-13, reflecting the shift in enterprise AI from large-scale models to practical applications, including vector databases and agentic AI. The event will gather industry leaders like Cisco, VMware, Keysight, and Arista to explore real-world applications, AI-ready infrastructures, and private AI solutions. Attendees will also hear from companies like Integrail, Elastic, and Enfabrica to learn about next-generation AI capabilities. Tune in live on LinkedIn or Techstrong TV!
AI is Not a Fad
The current hype about building massive generative AI models with massive hardware investment is just one aspect of AI. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Frederic Van Haren, Karen Lopez, Marian Newsome, and host Stephen Foskett taking a different perspective on the larger world of AI. Our last episode suggested that AI as it is currently being hyped is a fad, but the bigger world of AI is absolutely real. Large language models are maturing rapidly and even generative AI is getting better by the month, but we are rapidly seeing the reality of the use cases for this technology. All neural networks use patterns in historical data to infer results, so any AI engine could hallucinate. But traditional AI is much less susceptible to errors than the much-hyped generative AI models that are capturing the headlines today. AI is a tool that augments our knowledge and decision making, but it doesn’t replace human intelligence. There is a whole world of AI applications that are productive, responsible, and practical, and these are most certainly not a fad.
What’s Causing a Skills Shortage in Mainframe?
Sulagna Saha of Gestalt IT discusses a growing skills gap in the mainframe IT sector that risks impacting businesses depending on this technology. Factors contributing to the shortage include the sector’s outdated image, insufficient training programs, and the allure of newer technologies for tech talents. She emphasizes the need for increased training investments and educational reforms to attract and prepare new candidates for crucial mainframe roles, underscoring the importance of modernizing perceptions of mainframe technology. Read more and watch the delegate discussion from SHARE Kansas City 2024!
AI as We Know It is Just a Fad
Although AI is certain to transform society, not to mention computing, what we know if it is unlikely to last much longer. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast brings together Glenn Dekhayser, Alastair Cooke, Allyson Klein, and Stephen Foskett to discuss the real and changing world of AI. Looking at AI infrastructure today, we see massive clusters of GPUs being deployed in the cloud and on-premises to train ever-larger language models, but how much business value do these clusters have long-term? It seems that the true transformation promised by LLM and GenAI will be realized once models are applied across industries with RAG or tuning rather than developing new models. Ultimately AI is a feature of a larger business process or application rather than being a product in itself. We can certainly see that AI-based applications will be transformative, but the vast investment required to build out AI infrastructure to date might never be recouped. Ultimately there is a future for AI, but not the way we have been doing it to date.
Mainframes Take the Main Stage at SHARE Kansas City 2024
At the SHARE Kansas City 2024 conference on August 6th, Tech Field Day will highlight mainframe technologies with a robust lineup of sessions and discussions. Beginning with a focus on on-demand development by PopUp Mainframe and a roundtable led by Steven Dickens on cutting-edge innovations, the event will also feature new advancements in DevOps and AIOps from BMC and observability solutions from Broadcom’s Watchtower platform. Alongside live participation, attendees will have access to session recordings on the Tech Field Day YouTube channel and other digital platforms, with an exclusive podcast available pre-conference to enrich participant understanding of the central themes.
