Brandon Whichard, a cloud and AI expert and regular contributor to Software Defined Talk, joins the discussion on March's hottest tech trends. They dive into the latest mergers and acquisitions, revealing their potential market impacts. The team shares humorous personal anecdotes, including spring break mishaps. Insights into AI advancements highlight challenges in sustainability and job title inflation in tech. Finally, they explore Intel and NVIDIA's diverging paths in the industry, setting the stage for future innovations.

The discussion dives into the challenges faced by tech professionals transitioning from hands-on roles to leadership. It highlights the anxieties of losing technical expertise amidst rapid technological changes. The importance of self-evaluation and peer learning is emphasized to adapt and maintain relevance. Listeners also share humorous insights on coping with professional uncertainties and seasonal allergies, fostering community engagement. Overall, it's an engaging exploration of career evolution and the impact of evolving tools on personal skills.

Dive into the innovative world of virtualizing Kubernetes with insights from industry expert Lukas Gentele. Discover the reasons behind virtualizing K8s and its advantages over traditional systems. Explore the intricate details of control and data planes, and how these innovations can enhance operational efficiency. Learn about the challenges of managing scalability and fault domains, alongside the growing importance of multi-tenancy in cloud-native environments. Plus, get a sneak peek of exciting developments ahead of KubeCon EU!

The tech sector is seeing a potential comeback in acquisitions, with significant deals sparking excitement. The conversation dives into the unpredictability of tech trends, likening them to NCAA March Madness. Cultural compatibility and strategic goals are crucial in corporate acquisitions, and the speakers highlight common integration challenges that can make or break a deal. They discuss the benefits of acquisitions, such as gaining new technology and talent, all while navigating the complexities of retaining key personnel.

Adam Jacob (@adamhjk, CEO/Founder @thesysteminit) talks about the evolution and intersection of DevOps 2.0, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and what’s nextSHOW: 907SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #907 TranscriptSHOW VIDEO: https://youtube.com/@TheCloudcastNET CLOUD NEWS OF THE WEEK: http://bit.ly/cloudcast-cnotwNEW TO CLOUD? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCAST: "CLOUDCAST BASICS"SHOW SPONSORS:Try Postman AI Agent Builder TodayCut Enterprise IT Support Costs by 30-50% with US CloudSHOW NOTES:System Initiative websiteAdam on The Cloudcast #729Topic 1 - Welcome back to the show. We last spoke mid-2023. For those that missed that show, tell us about your background…Topic 2 - When we last spoke, we talked about DevOps 2.0. Give everyone an update on the state of the industry. DevOps 2.0, IaC, etc. Where are we at in that journey? For instance, what’s broken with IaC in the existing approaches and why a new approach?Topic 3 - One thing I’ve noticed in research for this topic is the move to visual and UI to conceptualize the environment and the corresponding actions. APIs and command lines will always have a place but what are your thoughts on this trend? I personally fall asleep every time someone gives a talk an industry conference and they pull up the command line for their demo. But, I’m also a visual learner.Topic 4 - When I’ve thought about both DevOps and IaC in the past, my mind immediately jumps to both complexity and dependencies. What do developers today have to consider and have we made any advances here?Topic 5 - Are there new metrics for success? With DevOps is was number of code commits, with IaC it was number of seamless deployments and actions. What do development teams look for today as the consider new platforms and tools?Topic 6 - I can see this being an area that could be impacted by AI in a few ways: 1. the summarization of large amounts of data 2. Digital Twins and simulations and 3. Agentic AI performing tasks based on conditions. What are your thoughts on AI here?Topic 7 - If anyone out there is interested, what’s the best way to get started?FEEDBACK?Email: show at the cloudcast dot netBluesky: @cloudcastpod.bsky.socialTwitter/X: @cloudcastpodInstagram: @cloudcastpodTikTok: @cloudcastpod

Explore the struggles companies face with internal and external corporate communications. Discover why town halls often feel like a chore and how to engage more effectively. Learn the pitfalls of bland messaging and the importance of connecting with employees. The conversation dives into whether AI-driven emails or in-person sessions are the way to go. Plus, reflect on how unpopular decisions can be communicated better to avoid backlash. Are traditional town halls really doomed? Tune in for insights and practical hacks!

Druce MacFarlane, a product expert at Infoblox, discusses the seismic shifts AI has caused in cybersecurity and the startup ecosystem. He highlights how non-AI startups must embrace AI to remain competitive. The conversation reveals the challenges of navigating data scarcity and understanding ROI on AI investments. Druce emphasizes the importance of agility in keeping pace with rapid AI advancements, warning against hesitation that can lead to missed opportunities. Listeners gain practical insights for leveraging AI effectively in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

The hosts dive into the importance of showcasing your contributions at work, stressing how visibility can drive accountability and boost career prospects. They discuss Elon Musk's Doge Project and its implications for government accountability. Effective communication practices, especially sharing weekly highlights, are explored as ways to enhance teamwork. By examining influential leaders, they reveal how transparency can foster collaboration and align efforts with broader organizational goals.

Brian Gracely and Brandon Whichard discuss the top stories in Cloud and AI from February 2025 including NVIDIA’s earnings,  Hashicorp, Intel’s CEO trio, Developer Co-Pilots, and RIP Skype.SHOW: 903SHOW TRANSCRIPT: The Cloudcast #903 TranscriptSHOW VIDEO: https://youtube.com/@TheCloudcastNETCLOUD NEWS OF THE WEEK:  http://bit.ly/cloudcast-cnotwNEW TO CLOUD? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCAST:  "CLOUDCAST BASICS"SHOW SPONSORS:Try Postman AI Agent Builder TodayCut Enterprise IT Support Costs by 30-50% with US CloudSHOW NOTES:Link to February 2025 news and articlesSEGMENTS COVERED IN THE SHOW:Good Old Fashioned Cloud NewsThe AI Innovation Continues FEEDBACK?Email: show at the cloudcast dot netBluesky: @cloudcastpod.bsky.socialTwitter/X: @cloudcastpodInstagram: @cloudcastpodTikTok: @cloudcastpod

The discussion dives into the confusing landscape of generative AI, exploring what’s working and what’s not. Experts share insights on the accessibility and accuracy challenges developers face. The conversation highlights the rapid technological shifts that make predictions difficult. Political dynamics also come into play, as AI intersects with societal changes, demanding a nuanced understanding. With humor and candid reflections, the hosts navigate through this complex topic, helping listeners find clarity in the chaos.