What Is the Next Big Thing After Kubernetes? A Field Day Roundtable

Kubernetes is rapidly rising in enterprise IT, replacing Docker and VMware vSphere in the mind of cloud architects. But is K8s the final answer to IT infrastructure? Not at all! In this Cloud Field Day delegate Roundtable discussion, the group considers what comes after Kubernetes, both technically and metaphorically.

In this Tech Field Day roundtable, experts discussed the future of Kubernetes and what might come next in IT infrastructure. They agreed that while Kubernetes has become a central framework for cloud architecture, it is not the final answer. The conversation highlighted the need for Kubernetes to evolve by abstracting complexities and becoming more developer-friendly, potentially through serverless solutions and better integration with AI and ML workloads. The panelists emphasized the importance of maintaining Kubernetes’ simplicity while extending its capabilities to manage heterogeneous and disaggregated compute environments. They also discussed the necessity of improving Kubernetes’ understanding of storage and networking to optimize resource allocation. The consensus was that Kubernetes should continue to serve as a foundational layer, enabling more sophisticated and automated orchestration of diverse workloads, ultimately freeing developers and operators to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management.