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.
Qlik – Opening a Broader Access to AI-Driven Data Analytics
Sulagna Saha takes a look at the Tech Field Day delegate roundtable from Qlik Connect in this Gestalt IT article. She highlights Qlik’s intensified focus on providing AI-driven data analytics responsibly, emphasizing the commitment to high-quality, democratized data to mitigate bias and ensure reliability across user levels. Qlik is demonstrating its dedication to addressing global challenges, such as pandemics and climate change, by collaborating with NGOs and enhancing its analytics offerings beyond traditional dashboards. This strategic expansion signals Qlik’s evolution into a comprehensive analytics provider that supports both low-code environments and promotes the ethical use of AI data.
The Mainframe is Still Going Strong
Despite the hype about modern applications, the mainframe remains central to enterprise IT and is rapidly adopting new technologies. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast features Steven Dickens, Geoffrey Decker, and Jon Hildebrand talking to Stephen Foskett about the modern mainframe prior to the SHARE conference. The modern datacenter is rapidly adopting technologies like containerization, orchestration, and artificial intelligence, and these are coming to the mainframe world as well. And the continued importance of mainframe applications, especially in finance and transportation, makes the mainframe more important than ever. There is a tremendous career opportunity in mainframes as well, with recent grads commanding high salaries and working with exciting modern technologies. Modern mainframes run Linux natively, support OpenShift and containers, and support all of the latest languages and programming models in addition to PL1, Cobol, DB2, and of course zOS. We’re looking forward to bringing the latest in the mainframe space from SHARE to our audience.
Open Source Helps Small Businesses Modernize Applications
Open-source platforms and managed services are a huge help when it comes to modernizing applications, especially for smaller businesses. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, recorded at AppDev Field Day, includes Stephen Foskett and Paul Nashawaty discussing the challenges and solutions for small businesses in modernizing applications.
Everything is the Cloud and The Cloud is Everything
The cloud operating model is everywhere these days, and just about everything is now called cloud. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, recorded live at Cloud Field Day 20, includes Stephen Foskett, Jeffrey Powers, Alastair Cooke, and Steve Puluka discussing the true meaning of the term cloud computing.
GenAI is Revolutionizing the Enterprise
Generative AI will revolutionize enterprise IT, but not in the way people expect. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast includes Stephen Foskett discussing the impact of GenAI with Jack Poller, Calvin Hendryx-Parker, and Josh Atwell at AppDev Field Day. The discussion centered around the potential impact of generative AI on enterprises, debating whether it will significantly transform business operations or merely offer incremental improvements. Generative AI is still in its infancy and may not yet provide revolutionary benefits, but there is great potential for AI in automating tasks and enhancing efficiencies despite challenges in implementation and validation. We must be realistic when it comes to the application of AI in enterprises, and it is important to understand the real capabilities and limitations, and the role of existing vendors in integrating AI functionalities into their products.
Google Shares the Scope of Enterprise Cloud at Cloud Field Day
Last week on the Gestalt IT Rundown, Stephen Foskett discussed the Google Cloud presentation at Cloud Field Day, where the company gave an excellent overview of their enterprise cloud offerings. The presentation showcased Google Cloud’s dedication to providing scalable, secure, and smart solutions to meet the complex needs of modern businesses. Watch the entire Google Cloud presentation on YouTube for a deep dive into the many ways enterprise workloads can be run there!
Techstrong Gang June 11, 2024
On the June 11 Techstrong TV episode, Stephen Foskett joined Tracy Bannon and the whole Techstrong Gang for a discussion of Agile development, the role of the CIO, and the impact of RAG on AI. During the discussion, Stephen brought up Qlik’s recent Answers product, as seen at Qlik Connect, and brought insights from the Qlik AI Council, who he met last week.
Announcements From Qlik Connect | Gestalt IT Rundown: June 5, 2024
This episode of the Gestalt IT Rundown includes a closer look at the announcements from Qlik Connect, offering a snapshot of Qlik’s evolving position in the data analytics and BI space. The summary highlights how Qlik’s new initiatives and product updates are set to empower organizations with enhanced data integration, active intelligence, and insights. This discussion features Stephen Foskett and Gina Rosenthal and was recorded on-site at the event.
Cloud Native is Just a Marketing Term
Software developers used to use the term cloud native to describe applications that are designed for the cloud, but today it seems to be more of a term for containerized applications. This episode of the Tech Field Day podcast, recorded ahead of Cloud Field Day 20, includes Guy Currier, Jack Poller, Ziv Levy, and Stephen Foskett discussing the true meaning of cloud native today.
Looking at the Rapidly Evolving Modern Cloud at Cloud Field Day 20
Stephen Foskett announces Cloud Field Day 20, showcasing the rapid evolution of the modern cloud landscape. The event brings together thought leaders and innovators to dissect emerging trends, technological advancements, and the future trajectory of cloud computing. Featuring presentations by Google Cloud, Juniper Networks, Morpheus Data, and Oxide Computer Company, Cloud Field Day explores how cloud strategies and solutions are constantly adapting to meet the ever-growing demands of businesses and consumers.
