The InfoQ Podcast

Join experts Marcus Osterdijk, an AWS hero and Chief Technologist at Adesso, Catherine Jarmol, a privacy guru in data systems, and Eric Steiger, a serial tech founder specializing in AI, as they tackle crucial topics facing European developers. They explore the balance between US and European cloud services, discussing data sovereignty and privacy challenges. The conversation also highlights innovative architectural designs like local-first principles, urging a shift towards new strategies in cloud computing. Prepare for insightful previews of the upcoming InfoQ Dev Summit in Munich!

Ian Miell, a seasoned engineer and CTO at Container Solutions, delves into the intricate relationship between financial architecture and software development. He highlights how organizational structures dictate software design and the importance of aligning tech initiatives with business goals. Miell also addresses the evolving role of software engineers, urging them to prioritize real-world problem-solving. Additionally, he discusses the significance of middle management in facilitating change and navigating resistance to innovation in IT.

Luca Mezzalira, a Serverless specialist solution architect at AWS and author of 'Building Microfrontends,' dives into the evolution of microfrontends in modern software development. He discusses crucial heuristics for gradual implementation and explores the transition from monolithic systems to modular architectures. Luca highlights common patterns and anti-patterns, emphasizes the importance of observability tools, and shares decision frameworks for adopting microfrontends. His insights aim to inspire collaborative and iterative approaches in software engineering.

Teena Idnani, a Senior Solutions Architect at Microsoft, shares her expertise in leveraging event-driven architecture for digital transformation. She discusses the nuances of using this architecture in multi-cloud environments, particularly in banking, addressing regulatory and scalability challenges. Teena emphasizes the importance of observability, advocating for tools like OpenTelemetry for effective event tracking. She highlights the need for collaboration between technical teams and business analysts to align user experience with business goals, ensuring a successful implementation.

Kevin Dubois, a developer advocate with a passion for smooth transitions from local development to production, and Thomas Vitale, a software engineer and author focused on cloud-native technologies, dive into the changing Java landscape. They discuss how frameworks like Quarkus address challenges in serverless environments and the pivotal role of containerization in enhancing developer experiences. The conversation also highlights AI's integration into Java development, balancing innovation with code quality, and the importance of open-source tools in promoting flexibility and transparency.

Mandy Gu, a Senior Software Development Manager at Wealthsimple, dives into the world of Generative AI and its implementation in organizations. She discusses the critical role user profiles play in adopting large language models and shares insights from her journey overcoming challenges in AI program integration. Mandy highlights the importance of building robust infrastructure, developing proprietary LLM gateways for security, and creating tailored educational programs to boost user engagement. Tune in for valuable insights on enhancing workflow efficiency with AI!

Savannah Kunovsky and Jenna Fizel, co-managing directors of IDEO’s Emerging Technology division, focus on making technology more human and useful. They discuss the importance of user co-design and how it shapes impactful products. The duo explores innovating through prototyping and generative AI, showcasing how collaboration can lead to real-world solutions. They weigh the influences of science fiction on design thinking and the need for adaptability in technology, emphasizing sustainability and regulatory considerations in their approach.

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.