Matt & Guido Appenzeller (founder BigSwitch, founder Voltage, CTO VMware NSBU, CTO Intel, CTO Yubico, and lately AI guru) discuss Guido's diverse past, the evolution of commercial networking, and most of all, tons of AI.

Some highlights:

1. Impact of AI on Software and Jobs [00:15:26]

AI's evolution might not decrease the demand for software engineers but could potentially expand it. The introduction of AI in automating tasks opens up new avenues for software development, indicating an evolving industry rather than a shrinking one.

2. Future of Technology Education [00:17:41]

Guido recommends a strong foundation in computer science for students entering technology fields, highlighting the increasing importance of tech literacy across various disciplines in the future.

3. Integration of Real-World Data into AI [00:22:29]

Discussion on enhancing AI models with real-world data, such as videos, to improve functionality. Guido questions the added value of such data over existing textual information, pointing to the nuances in data utility for AI training.

4. Human Learning and AI Potential [00:30:21]

Speculation on AI mimicking human learning through exposure to experiences and narratives, suggesting the possibility of AI models developing a nuanced understanding of cause and effect similar to human cognition.

5. Evolution of AI Applications [00:44:03]

While foundational AI models are set, transformative applications are anticipated in the future. This segment highlights the potential for significant advancements and value creation with existing and forthcoming AI technologies.

6. Personal AI Revelations [00:45:14]

Guido shares his pivotal moment with AI through experimenting with GPT-3, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI when explored beyond theoretical applications.

In this episode, Matt has a wide-ranging discussion with David Linthicum, author of The Insider's Guide to Cloud Computing and 16 other books; the discussion ranges from cloud architecture and costs, hybrid vs public, to career and hiring advice, the future impact of AI, and much more.

David is widely known as the CTO of Cloud Technology Partners, one of the first and most impactful cloud consulting practices, and is a renowned thought leader who frequently writes for Information Weekly and other publications.

• [00:01:39] "Is 'Thought Leader' just a fancy term for popularity? The conversation challenges the hype, advocating for real innovation over mere social media presence."
• [00:04:50] "Navigating the cloud's not just about saving bucks! David Linthicum reveals the pitfalls of underestimating its complexity – it's a strategic minefield, not just a cost-cutting game."
• [00:10:36] "In the fast-paced tech world, standing still is falling behind! They stress the importance of lifelong learning – stay curious or get left in the digital dust!"
• [00:25:35] "Tomorrow's cloud will be smart and secure! The discussion predicts a cloud future powered by AI and fortified with robust security measures. #Cloud2024"
• [00:34:48] "Cloud or on-premise? The debate heats up! They discuss how the 'best' IT platform is not a one-size-fits-all but a tailored fit for each business's unique needs. #TechDilemmas"
• [00:37:05] "Juggling multiple clouds? They dive into the complexities of managing various cloud environments – integration and consistency are the new IT superpowers. #CloudJuggling"
• [00:41:58] "As cloud territories expand, so do security battlegrounds. The conversation highlights the escalating challenges of safeguarding multi-cloud environments. #CyberSecurityAlert"
• [00:51:07] "One cloud doesn't fit all! They underscore the need for flexibility in choosing cloud services – it's about picking the right tool for the right job. #CloudFlexibility"
• [01:00:24] "Cloud computing's future? Think complex, integrated, and automated. They foresee an industry evolving rapidly, gearing up for a technologically intertwined future. #CloudEvolution"
• [01:16:42] "Cloud computing: The new frontier for IT careers. They discuss the blend of traditional skills and new competencies shaping the future of tech professionals. #CloudCareers"
• [01:36:54] "The cloud's not always greener! They explore why businesses are pulling workloads back from the cloud – sometimes, old school is the new cool. #CloudRepatriation"
• [01:55:19] "Moving to the cloud? It's not just lift-and-shift! They emphasize the need for thorough business and application analysis to avoid costly cloud migration mistakes. #CloudStrategy"
• [02:12:29] "AI: A job creator or destroyer? The discussion delves into AI's role in reshaping the job market and its potential to outpace human creativity. #FutureOfWork"

Matt talks with Sam Ramji. Sam is an advisor for a host of tech companies and the Linux Foundation, and the former Chief Strategy Officer for DataStax, the chief maintainer of the OSS Apache Cassandra® database. He was the VP of Product and executive leader for K8S and several other services in Google Cloud Platform, head of Strategy at Apigee, and the leader of Microsoft's OSS strategy.

## Show Notes

* [00:00:00] Introduction of Sam Ramji, a software engineer with a storied career in the industry, from programming on Commodore pet computers to working with Microsoft on transforming the company's relationship with open source.
* [00:01:38] Discussion on the transformation of Microsoft from a company that was not trusted in the market to one that attracted a lot of talent due to its change in thinking about open source.
* [00:04:00] Sam's experience working with Microsoft and how he proposed the company to embrace open source and discount all of its software to zero for startups.
* [00:06:04] Discussion on Cloud Foundry, a project that aimed to solve different problems in the industry but ended up passing each other in the middle.
* [00:07:26] The story of how Cloud Foundry was born after Heroku decided not to be acquired by VMware and how it was built internally until it was made public.
* [00:13:19] Discussion on the impact of Kubernetes on the container orchestration world and how it defragmented the industry.
* [00:17:18] Mention of Home Depot as a case in point for the success of combining XP and Cloud Foundry, leading to high developer velocity and cost efficiencies.
* [00:18:16] Sam and Matt discuss the evolution of Kubernetes installations and the complexity of running a basic workload on it.
* [00:22:06] Sam shares his perspective on AI, stating that it is bigger than the internet. He discusses the transformative power of AI and how it is changing the value of reasoning.
* [00:26:55] Matt and Sam discuss the rapid acceleration of AI research and development. They note the difficulty of keeping up with the constant updates and advancements in the field.
* [00:31:11] Sam discusses the potential for AI to automate dull, dirty, and dangerous cognitive labor. He also mentions the potential for breakthroughs in causal reasoning in the next few years.
* [00:33:26] Matt shares examples of how AI is being used in various fields, from energy generation to recycling to pharmaceuticals.
* [00:54:58] Sam and Matt discuss the concept of cognitive economy and its potential impact on AI and software development.
* [00:55:39] Sam identifies two major trends in AI: the superabundance of code and the proliferation of compute architectures.
* [01:02:53] Sam introduces the concept of the Jevons paradox in relation to AI, suggesting that as AI engines become more powerful, we will want to use more of them.
* [01:03:25] Matt and Sam discuss the potential implications of advancements in robotics, AI, and clean energy on the world at large.
* [01:04:17] Matt asks Sam for advice for those entering the industry or choosing a career path. Sam emphasizes the importance of privileging one's own curiosity and the ability to learn and unlearn.
* [01:09:22] Sam and Matt conclude their discussion, reflecting on the insights gained and the importance of continued learning and curiosity in the field of AI.

In this episode, Matt Wallace and Anna Claiborne take us on a journey through major tech advancements and reflect on their implications for the future.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

• Find us: Matt Wallace / Anna Claiborne
• Follow us: @FactionInc #FutureRodeo
• Email us: media@factioninc.com

RELATED LINKS:

• Harness AI superpowers with multi-cloud
• Five ways multi-cloud is accelerating medical science

STAY TUNED:

In our next episode, catch Matt Wallace in conversation with Deloitte's Chief Cloud Strategy Officer and globally recognized thought leader, David Linthicum.

An introduction - please join us for the Future Rodeo.