The InfoQ Podcast

In this discussion, Rashmi Venugopal, a Staff Software Engineer at Netflix with expertise in distributed systems, explores the critical role of the middle tier in software architecture. She likens it to a chef who harmonizes the back end and front end, ensuring smooth user experiences. Rashmi also shares insights on managing software migrations, emphasizing the importance of learning from past projects and maintaining compatibility. The conversation touches on balancing innovation with legacy systems and the challenges of scaling effectively.

Sam Newman, an independent consultant and microservices pioneer, shares valuable insights on architecture evolution. He emphasizes starting with monoliths before transitioning to microservices, focusing on desired outcomes. The discussion highlights the importance of observability and testing in complex systems, advocating for independent deployments to reduce impact. Newman also addresses the power of ephemeral environments for continuous deployment, balancing organizational structure with effective architecture decisions. Tune in for a fresh perspective on navigating microservices complexities!

Nikolaos Vasiloglou, Vice President of Research ML at Relational AI, discusses the transformative role of knowledge graphs in data analytics. He explores how Generative AI is enhancing entity linking and easing complex processes for businesses. The conversation highlights the critical components for implementing Graph RAG solutions and the emerging trends in AI applications. Vasiloglou also addresses challenges like data integration and privacy concerns, offering insights into the future of knowledge graph technologies in enterprise contexts.

Diana Montalion, founder of Mentrix and author of the O'Reilly book on systems thinking, discusses the importance of designing for knowledge flow in software architecture. She highlights the difference between knowledge stock and flow, emphasizing the need for effective communication within teams. Montalion explores how a growth mindset fosters continuous learning and adaptation. Additionally, she delves into aligning organizational missions with capabilities and the role architects play in evolving culture to embrace innovation, especially with emerging technologies.

Julia Furst Morgado, a global technologist at Veeam and CNCF ambassador, dives into the intricacies of Kubernetes resiliency amidst ransomware threats. She discusses the unique challenges faced in edge environments, emphasizing the importance of specialized backup strategies and automated recovery processes. Julia also highlights the 32110 backup rule, the distinctions between stateful and stateless systems, and the necessity for regular incident response drills to enhance data management and security. Her insights provide actionable guidance for maintaining business continuity in the face of cyber threats.

Max Körbächer, Managing Partner at Liquid Reply, dives into the evolution of Kubernetes and its significance in platform engineering. He discusses the integration of WebAssembly with Kubernetes for optimal infrastructure use. Körbächer emphasizes the importance of community-focused strategies and data sovereignty, especially for European organizations. He highlights how effective internal developer platforms can enhance satisfaction while addressing sustainability challenges. Tune in for insights on the future of developer platforms and their role in organizational success.

Jade Abbott, CTO and co-founder of Lelapa AI, is on a mission to revolutionize language technology for African languages. In their discussion, she highlights how infrastructure challenges spark innovation in AI development. Abbott emphasizes the need for tailored data collection and innovative strategies, like synthetic data generation, to overcome scarcity issues. They tackle how to optimize models for low-connectivity areas and the collaborative nature of tech advancements, all while underlining the importance of customer experience and ethical considerations.

Birgitta Böckeler, Thoughtworks’ Global Lead for AI Assisted Software Delivery, dives into the transformative potential of generative AI in coding. She discusses how to enhance code quality by providing better context and emphasizes the evolving dynamics within tech teams. The conversation covers the balance between human oversight and AI capabilities, the risks of automated code generation, and the importance of mentorship for junior developers. Birgitta also highlights the necessity for robust security practices in navigating the AI landscape.

The panel discussion in this episode is one half of the annual InfoQ Architecture and Design Trends Report. The other half is the written report . One of the regular features of InfoQ are the trends reports, which each focus on a different aspect of software development. These reports provide the InfoQ readers with a high-level overview of the topics to pay attention to this year, and also help the editorial team focus on innovative technologies across all the content on InfoQ. Read a transcript of this interview: https://bit.ly/43WChIH Subscribe to the Software Architects’ Newsletter for your monthly guide to the essential news and experience from industry peers on emerging patterns and technologies: https://www.infoq.com/software-architects-newsletter Upcoming Events: InfoQ Dev Summit Boston (June 9-10, 2025) Actionable insights on today’s critical dev priorities. devsummit.infoq.com/conference/boston2025 InfoQ Dev Summit Munich (October 15-16, 2025) Essential insights on critical software development priorities. https://devsummit.infoq.com/conference/munich2025 QCon San Francisco 2025 (November 17-21, 2025) Get practical inspiration and best practices on emerging software trends directly from senior software developers at early adopter companies. https://qconsf.com/ QCon AI NYC 2025 (December 16-17, 2025) https://ai.qconferences.com/ The InfoQ Podcasts: Weekly inspiration to drive innovation and build great teams from senior software leaders. Listen to all our podcasts and read interview transcripts: - The InfoQ Podcast https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/ - Engineering Culture Podcast by InfoQ https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/#engineering_culture - Generally AI: https://www.infoq.com/generally-ai-podcast/ Follow InfoQ: - Mastodon: https://techhub.social/@infoq - Twitter: twitter.com/InfoQ - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/infoq - Facebook: bit.ly/2jmlyG8 - Instagram: @infoqdotcom - Youtube: www.youtube.com/infoq Write for InfoQ: Learn and share the changes and innovations in professional software development. - Join a community of experts. - Increase your visibility. - Grow your career. https://www.infoq.com/write-for-infoq

Eddie Knight, OSPO lead at Sonatype, discusses how the EU Cyber Resilience Act can help with improving your software project’s security and in the same time to slow down the alarming acceleration of software supply chain attacks. Read a transcript of this interview: https://bit.ly/3RDMPVX Subscribe to the Software Architects’ Newsletter for your monthly guide to the essential news and experience from industry peers on emerging patterns and technologies: https://www.infoq.com/software-architects-newsletter Upcoming Events: InfoQ Dev Summit Boston (June 9-10, 2025) Actionable insights on today’s critical dev priorities. devsummit.infoq.com/conference/boston2025 InfoQ Dev Summit Munich (October 15-16, 2025) Essential insights on critical software development priorities. https://devsummit.infoq.com/conference/munich2025 QCon San Francisco 2025 (November 17-21, 2025) Get practical inspiration and best practices on emerging software trends directly from senior software developers at early adopter companies. https://qconsf.com/ QCon AI NYC 2025 (December 16-17, 2025) https://ai.qconferences.com/ The InfoQ Podcasts: Weekly inspiration to drive innovation and build great teams from senior software leaders. Listen to all our podcasts and read interview transcripts: - The InfoQ Podcast https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/ - Engineering Culture Podcast by InfoQ https://www.infoq.com/podcasts/#engineering_culture - Generally AI: https://www.infoq.com/generally-ai-podcast/ Follow InfoQ: - Mastodon: https://techhub.social/@infoq - Twitter: twitter.com/InfoQ - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/infoq - Facebook: bit.ly/2jmlyG8 - Instagram: @infoqdotcom - Youtube: www.youtube.com/infoq Write for InfoQ: Learn and share the changes and innovations in professional software development. - Join a community of experts. - Increase your visibility. - Grow your career. https://www.infoq.com/write-for-infoq