Thoughtworks Technology Podcast

Kief Morris, a distinguished engineer at Thoughtworks and author of 'Infrastructure as Code,' joins host Ken Mugrage to discuss the evolution of infrastructure over the past decade. They explore the necessity for standardized practices in cloud environments and the influence of tools like Terraform. Morris emphasizes the shift toward automated deployment models like GitOps and the role of AI in infrastructure management. They also discuss how effective communication and iterative practices are crucial for ongoing maintenance and evolution in infrastructure strategies.

Rebecca Parsons, former CTO emerita of ThoughtWorks and co-author of 'Building Evolutionary Architectures', joins Neal Ford, a regular host and also co-author, to dive into the dynamic world of AI governance. They explore how fitness functions can optimize AI performance, ensuring systems meet their intended goals. The duo discusses identifying biases within AI, the importance of operationalizing large language models, and the need for objective metrics in rapidly changing tech landscapes. Their insights reveal how adaptability can shape the future of AI.

Neal Ford and Mark Richards, both seasoned experts in software architecture, share their insights on redefining software architectures. They discuss the groundbreaking concept of 'architecture as code' and the integration of architecture fitness functions. The conversation dives into aligning service level objectives with architectural strategy and the importance of data integrity in distributed systems. Moreover, they explore how Generative AI could revolutionize architectural processes, ensuring adaptability and consistency in software development.

In this insightful discussion, Prasanna Pendse, Global Director of AI Strategy, and Shayan Mohanty, Head of AI Research, share their expertise on the revolutionary AI start-up DeepSeek. They dive into how DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model differentiates itself from giants like OpenAI. The duo tackles misconceptions about AI training costs, the impact of hardware limitations, and innovative strategies to optimize performance. They also explore the implications of these developments on the tech industry’s economic landscape and the complexities surrounding model licensing.

Join Shayan Mohanty, Head of AI Research at Thoughtworks, and John Singleton, Program Manager at the AI Lab, as they dive into the complexities of generative AI. They discuss the vital role of evals, benchmarks, and guardrails in ensuring AI reliability. The duo outlines the differences between testing and evaluations, highlighting their significance for businesses. Additionally, they explore mechanistic interpretability and the need for robust frameworks to enhance trust in AI applications. This conversation is essential for anyone navigating the evolving AI landscape.

Neal Ford, a seasoned collaborator in software architecture, joins forces with Mark Richards, an accomplished author in the field. They delve into the critical intersections of software architecture with implementation, data management, and business strategy. The duo discusses the complexities of architectural choices, the balance between monorepo and separate repositories, and how team dynamics can influence architectural effectiveness. Generative AI's impact on architecture also takes center stage, highlighting the necessity for adaptability in evolving business environments.

Andrew Harmel-Law, a tech principal from London and author of "Facilitating Software Architecture," discusses the importance of diverse participation in architectural decision-making. He argues that a broader involvement leads to richer insights and better outcomes. The conversation highlights the need for trust and engagement among stakeholders, the risks of technology attachment, and how to navigate them. Andrew stresses that embracing varied perspectives can drive cultural shifts in organizations, ultimately enhancing the architectural process.

Srinivasan Raguraman, a Principal Technologist at Thoughtworks and co-author on generative AI's uncanny valley, dives into intriguing concepts surrounding AI. He discusses how the uncanny valley can unsettle users due to the unpredictable nature of AI outputs. The conversation covers the distinction between deterministic and non-deterministic outputs, user misconceptions about these technologies, and the challenges of integrating AI into workflows. Raguraman emphasizes the need for responsible implementation to navigate both the opportunities and emotional implications of AI mimicking human behavior.

Shodhan Sheth and Tom Coggrave, both technologists at Thoughtworks, delve into the transformative potential of generative AI in modernizing legacy systems. They discuss the complexities of outdated code and the necessity for expert input, emphasizing the 'human in the loop' approach. The duo explores how AI enhances understanding of business processes, tackles dead code, and improves communication of modernization strategies. Their insights highlight a balanced integration of generative and traditional AI methods to overcome the challenges of legacy modernization.

In this discussion, Andrew Jones, an independent data consultant and creator of the data contract concept, teams up with Ryan Collingwood, a data strategist and author-in-progress on data contracts. They dive into the significance of data contracts, likening them to APIs for stable data transfer. The conversation highlights challenges in maintaining reliable data interfaces and the importance of collaboration between data producers and consumers. Additionally, they explore how tailored data contracts can enhance data quality and adapt to future organizational needs.