The New Stack Podcast Amazon CTO Werner Vogels' Predictions for 2026
Nov 25, 2025
Werner Vogels, the longtime Amazon CTO, reflects on his 21-year journey at Amazon and suggests it's time for younger voices to take the stage. He discusses the urgent need for quantum-safe encryption as today's data faces decryption risks. The conversation touches on technology’s role in alleviating loneliness through devices like Alexa and the rise of the 'Renaissance developer,' merging technical skills with creativity. Vogels also highlights the importance of personalized learning to nurture curiosity in students, emphasizing technology’s potential to enhance human connections.
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From Academia To Amazon's Kitchen
- Werner Vogels recounts joining Amazon from academia and being stunned by the company's unprecedented technical scale.
- That early exposure to large-scale engineering shaped his long-term passion for building systems no one else could.
Patterns Over Product Launches
- AWS grew from a handful of services to hundreds, forcing engineers to generalize architecture patterns.
- Cell-based architectures and operational patterns matter more than individual products for reliability.
Tech As Companion For Loneliness
- Loneliness is a growing public-health problem that technology can mitigate for many people.
- Devices like Alexa can provide consistent, nonjudgmental interaction that soothes dementia and isolation.
