The Cloudcast

Brandon Whichard, co-host of Software Defined Talk and tech expert, discusses the latest in AI and cloud trends. He examines the evolving U.S. chip manufacturing landscape, highlighting Intel's challenges and layoffs. The conversation shifts to Oracle's surprising rise in AI compute, supported by major players like OpenAI. They also dive into tech acquisitions and their implications, all while mixing in some fun college football predictions. It's a blend of serious insights and light-hearted banter, making for an engaging listen!

The podcast dives into the wild swings of AI hype, likening it to a rollercoaster of excitement and disappointment. It explores the conflicting landscapes in consumer and enterprise markets, revealing how perceptions can easily shift. Significant VC investments and shifting dynamics in cloud computing come under scrutiny, illustrating the race for a viable business model. The discussion also touches on the disruptive potential of AI, particularly in advertising and enterprise usage, highlighting emerging trends and the need for case studies to prove its worth.

Amit Kinha, Field CTO at DoIT and a FinOps Foundation Board Member, dives into the rapidly evolving world of FinOps. He discusses the underestimated complexity of cloud costs post-COVID and how organizations are adapting their financial strategies accordingly. Kinha highlights the shift from manual processes to intelligent tools that provide real-time insights, as well as the growing roles focused on FinOps within companies. The conversation also covers the importance of collaboration between finance and engineering to enhance capital efficiency and drive business growth.

The discussion dives into the pivotal shift from the Cloud era to the AI era, highlighting the foundational overlap between the two. Experts reflect on historical tech developments and the inevitable challenges of adopting new practices. Talent acquisition in AI is particularly daunting, as costs rise while companies seek skilled professionals. Listeners can expect contradictory reports on investment and ROI, and a notion that nothing in IT truly fades away, sparking lively debates on the future of technology.

Explore the fascinating shift from the cloud era to the AI revolution. Learn about the strategies of tech giants like Microsoft and Google, focusing on market dynamics and profitability. The discussion highlights how successful founders navigate gaps and adapt their business models. Dive into the traits that set industry leaders apart and what modern AI startups can learn from their journeys. Plus, get personal insights from traveling hosts balancing family life with tech trends.

Haseeb Budhani, Co-Founder and CEO of Rafay Systems, dives into the transformative journey of Kubernetes from a management tool to a robust cloud automation platform. He highlights the synergy between Kubernetes, AI, and GPU technology, discussing the operational efficiencies they bring to various industries. The conversation explores the importance of self-service in GPU orchestration and the complexity of managing multi-tenancy in GPU environments. Budhani also shares insights on balancing developer autonomy with necessary operational controls for optimized resource management.

Shay Levi, Co-founder and CEO of Unframe, and Larissa Schneider, Co-founder and COO of Unframe, delve into the intricacies of building enterprise-grade AI platforms. They discuss the meaning and advantages of these platforms, emphasizing the need for strategic partnerships to overcome development challenges. Shay shares insights on API security, while Larissa identifies inefficiencies in AI development. The duo also introduces a managed AI delivery platform that simplifies AI adoption, making it more accessible and secure for organizations.

The dawn of a new cloud computing era is upon us, as AI begins reshaping existing models. The hosts dissect the transition from Cloud 1.0's foundational elements to the complex dynamics of Cloud 2.0. Key discussions highlight emerging trends and the economic uncertainties surrounding AI integration. They explore how new technologies will affect business models and the potential regulatory impacts that could arise. Tune in for insights into this pivotal shift in the cloud landscape!

Brandon Whichard, co-host of Software Defined Talk and an expert in cloud and AI trends, joins the conversation to dive into exciting developments in these fields as of July 2025. The discussion highlights the evolving dynamics between major cloud providers and their AI capabilities. They explore the impact of AI on career choices, addressing both opportunities and risks in the job market. The hosts also reflect on balancing technological advancements with the need for human oversight, along with a humorous nod to their upcoming football fandom.

The podcast dives into AWS's challenging transition from hypergrowth to a hybrid phase. It assesses their current standing in the competitive cloud landscape against Azure and GCP. The discussion highlights AWS's struggles with generative AI and missing key innovations like a leading coding assistant. Despite their efforts, growth has plateaued, raising questions about future strategies. The complexities of balancing innovation and stability are explored, making for an insightful analysis of AWS's evolving market dynamics.