The Cloudcast

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.

Andrew Filev, Founder and CEO of Zencoder, dives deep into the dynamic world of AI coding co-pilots. He shares insights on the current startup landscape, discussing whether today's enormous funding rounds are sustainable. Filev examines the evolving role of coding co-pilots, asserting their potential as the biggest profit-generating tools in tech. He debates concerns about these AI agents threatening jobs, particularly for junior developers, emphasizing the ongoing need for foundational computer science skills in the face of automation.

What defines a 'DeepSeek moment' in various industries? The discussion explores how such transformative events challenge traditional beliefs and reshape economic landscapes. Topics include the impact of technologies like autonomous driving and breakthroughs in drug discovery on society and business operations. The hosts emphasize the need for organizations to adapt swiftly, highlighting resilience in IT budgets and workforce strategies. Prepare for the next big shift and rethink your industry’s potential disruptions!

Explore the impact of Broadcom's acquisition of VMware and the resulting challenges in cloud computing. Discover hurdles enterprises face with costly VMware migrations and how an open-source migration tool from Platform9 could simplify the process. Delve into VMware's new renewal policies, highlighting the shift to longer contracts and steep price increases. Finally, learn about the resurgence of private cloud technology, its competition with public clouds, and the importance of reskilling teams for successful adoption.

The podcast dives into how AI will reshape IT budgets by 2025 and beyond. It contrasts human-augmented capabilities with those that replace human roles. Pricing models for AI services are explored, revealing potential hidden costs. The discussion also touches on the importance of cost control and strategic planning as organizations navigate AI integration. Additionally, it highlights the necessity of upskilling existing teams versus hiring new talent for AI-specific roles.

Drew Saur, founder of Drew Saur Coaching, specializes in guiding tech professionals toward executive success. He discusses the 2025 job market landscape, offering insights on standing out amidst layoffs. Drew emphasizes the shift in thinking required to advance from technical to leadership roles and the importance of self-discovery in career development. He also stresses setting clear career goals and crafting personal narratives for effective interviews, all while maintaining a harmonious work-life balance.

The discussion kicks off with a humorous nod to the Super Bowl and weather quirks before diving into the clash between traditional cloud systems and AI demands. Cloud providers are reevaluating how to balance legacy CPU setups with the rising need for GPU architectures. Recent earnings misses from major players like Amazon and Microsoft reveal the challenges of this transition. Teams must navigate budget shifts while managing legacy products and embracing new technologies, sparking debates about the future of cloud innovation.

Brandon Whichard, a guest co-host and cloud & AI expert, joins the conversation as they dissect the latest developments in cloud technology. They delve into the groundbreaking DeepSeek model and its potential disruptions across industries. The discussion also covers the contrasting AI strategies of the U.S. and China, alongside corporate spending trends and Broadcom’s new long-term contracts. With humor, they reflect on the mediocrity of some tech success stories, and touch on TikTok's cultural influence within the cloud landscape.

The conversation dives into the evolving dynamic between technology and politics. It highlights how tech giants are increasingly intertwined with governmental affairs, from contracts to regulations. The hosts question if it's possible to discuss tech without political implications. There's a focus on AI's influence and the unique challenges it presents in this political landscape. Historical boundaries have shifted, prompting a need for a deeper understanding of the intersection between these two realms.