AI Proving Ground Podcast: Exploring Artificial Intelligence & Enterprise AI with World Wide Technology

NVIDIA's John Gentry and WWT's Derek Elbert outline how AI factories are evolving from isolated GPU clusters into flexible, multi-tiered, distributed systems — and why data strategy, security and ecosystem partnerships now determine whether enterprises can keep pace.The AI Proving Ground Podcast leverages the deep AI technical and business expertise from within World Wide Technology's one-of-a-kind AI Proving Ground, which provides unrivaled access to the world's leading AI technologies. This unique lab environment accelerates your ability to learn about, test, train and implement AI solutions. Learn more about WWT's AI Proving Ground. The AI Proving Ground is a composable lab environment that features the latest high-performance infrastructure and reference architectures from the world's leading AI companies, such as NVIDIA, Cisco, Dell, F5, AMD, Intel and others. Developed within our Advanced Technology Center (ATC), this one-of-a-kind lab environment empowers IT teams to evaluate and test AI infrastructure, software and solutions for efficacy, scalability and flexibility — all under one roof. The AI Proving Ground provides visibility into data flows across the entire development pipeline, enabling more informed decision-making while safeguarding production environments.

Cisco's Nicolas Sagnes and World Wide Technology's Bob Watson outline why the next generation of AI infrastructure must be engineered as a secure, observable, full-stack system — and why enterprises relying on pilots risk falling behind.The AI Proving Ground Podcast leverages the deep AI technical and business expertise from within World Wide Technology's one-of-a-kind AI Proving Ground, which provides unrivaled access to the world's leading AI technologies. This unique lab environment accelerates your ability to learn about, test, train and implement AI solutions. Learn more about WWT's AI Proving Ground. The AI Proving Ground is a composable lab environment that features the latest high-performance infrastructure and reference architectures from the world's leading AI companies, such as NVIDIA, Cisco, Dell, F5, AMD, Intel and others. Developed within our Advanced Technology Center (ATC), this one-of-a-kind lab environment empowers IT teams to evaluate and test AI infrastructure, software and solutions for efficacy, scalability and flexibility — all under one roof. The AI Proving Ground provides visibility into data flows across the entire development pipeline, enabling more informed decision-making while safeguarding production environments.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping software development faster than any shift in the last decade. In this episode of the AI Proving Ground Podcast, WWT’s Nate McKie and Andrew Brydon break down how AI coding assistants are transforming engineering teams — from productivity gains and data quality improvements to the emerging risks leaders can’t afford to overlook.They explore which tools actually matter, how to evaluate them without chasing hype, and why agentic AI will redefine the software lifecycle by 2026. The message is clear: great engineering fundamentals still win, but AI now amplifies everything — good and bad.If you’re an enterprise leader navigating the future of software delivery, this conversation gives you the frameworks, watch-outs, and real-world insight you need to make smart, practical decisions.Support for this episode provided by: CloudflareMore about this week's guests:Nate McKie has loved computers since he was a child. With a father who worked at Radio Shack, he spent countless hours in the store playing on machines and teaching himself the basics of programming. That early fascination carried into adulthood as he pursued a B.S. in Computer Studies and built a career spanning more than 25 years overseeing services in software and automation engineering. Today, he serves as a senior-level AI Advisor. His focus is helping customers understand how to best apply AI technologies to achieve their business goals—whether through hardware, software, or data strategy. Nate is thrilled to use a lifetime of experience building impactful, innovative solutions to guide others in making confident, well-informed decisions on their AI journey.Nate's top pick: Inside the AI Coding Revolution: Tools, Tradeoffs and TransformationAndrew Brydon has more than 25 years of experience designing, building, and delivering technology solutions and over 15 years in leadership, Andrew brings a passion for driving meaningful outcomes across a range of industries. As Managing Director in the Digital team, Andrew leads a group of Architects, Creative Technologists, and Technical Consultants with a broad range of experience across software analysis and design, architecture, custom build, and digital transformation.Andrew's top pick: AI Coding Assistants: Enterprise Market Landscape and ToolsThe AI Proving Ground Podcast leverages the deep AI technical and business expertise from within World Wide Technology's one-of-a-kind AI Proving Ground, which provides unrivaled access to the world's leading AI technologies. This unique lab environment accelerates your ability to learn about, test, train and implement AI solutions. Learn more about WWT's AI Proving Ground. The AI Proving Ground is a composable lab environment that features the latest high-performance infrastructure and reference architectures from the world's leading AI companies, such as NVIDIA, Cisco, Dell, F5, AMD, Intel and others. Developed within our Advanced Technology Center (ATC), this one-of-a-kind lab environment empowers IT teams to evaluate and test AI infrastructure, software and solutions for efficacy, scalability and flexibility — all under one roof. The AI Proving Ground provides visibility into data flows across the entire development pipeline, enabling more informed decision-making while safeguarding production environments.

As enterprises rush to deploy copilots, automation and secure private AI, energy has become the defining constraint. In this episode of the AI Proving Ground Podcast, visionary leaders including NightDragon's Dave DeWalt, Morgan Stanley's Jeff Holzschuh and Beacon AI Centers' Josh Schertzer unpack the new reality unfolding across the grid. They reveal why power — not land or fiber — is now the first question in every AI strategy, and what executives must do now to de-risk growth, secure their operations and stay ahead of the coming infrastructure supercycle.Editor's Note: This special episode of the AI Proving Ground Podcast was recorded during WWT's Business Innovation Summit, which took place at the PGA TOUR's World Wide Technology Championship in November 2025. The AI Proving Ground Podcast leverages the deep AI technical and business expertise from within World Wide Technology's one-of-a-kind AI Proving Ground, which provides unrivaled access to the world's leading AI technologies. This unique lab environment accelerates your ability to learn about, test, train and implement AI solutions. Learn more about WWT's AI Proving Ground. The AI Proving Ground is a composable lab environment that features the latest high-performance infrastructure and reference architectures from the world's leading AI companies, such as NVIDIA, Cisco, Dell, F5, AMD, Intel and others. Developed within our Advanced Technology Center (ATC), this one-of-a-kind lab environment empowers IT teams to evaluate and test AI infrastructure, software and solutions for efficacy, scalability and flexibility — all under one roof. The AI Proving Ground provides visibility into data flows across the entire development pipeline, enabling more informed decision-making while safeguarding production environments.

Jay Puri, a senior executive at NVIDIA, discusses sovereign AI and the economic implications of AI factories. Charlie Wuischpard dives into neoclouds and the essential role of token economics in AI adoption. Craig Weinstein explains the components of AI factories, including the architecture and data requirements for effective enterprise deployment. They address potential market bubbles, the importance of talent development, and how digital twins and recommendations are shaping user experiences. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for businesses to adapt and innovate in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

In this episode, Google Cloud COO Francis deSouza and WWT Co-Founder and CEO Jim Kavanaugh talk about how executives are turning artificial intelligence into a true competitive multiplier by building intelligent operations that run faster, cheaper and smarter; create predictive customer experiences that earn real loyalty; and accelerate innovation by embedding AI into every workflow.Editor's Note: This special episode of the AI Proving Ground Podcast was recorded during WWT's Business Innovation Summit, which took place at the PGA TOUR's World Wide Technology Championship in November 2025. The AI Proving Ground Podcast leverages the deep AI technical and business expertise from within World Wide Technology's one-of-a-kind AI Proving Ground, which provides unrivaled access to the world's leading AI technologies. This unique lab environment accelerates your ability to learn about, test, train and implement AI solutions. Learn more about WWT's AI Proving Ground. The AI Proving Ground is a composable lab environment that features the latest high-performance infrastructure and reference architectures from the world's leading AI companies, such as NVIDIA, Cisco, Dell, F5, AMD, Intel and others. Developed within our Advanced Technology Center (ATC), this one-of-a-kind lab environment empowers IT teams to evaluate and test AI infrastructure, software and solutions for efficacy, scalability and flexibility — all under one roof. The AI Proving Ground provides visibility into data flows across the entire development pipeline, enabling more informed decision-making while safeguarding production environments.

As software and data take center stage in the modern enterprise, the combination of purposeful artificial intelligence adoption, skilled teams and disciplined processes is becoming a catalyst for transformation. In this episode, WWT CTO Mike Taylor and Microsoft AI Futurist Marco Casalaina provide real-world examples of how organizations are rethinking data foundations and embedding AI into development and operations to unlock new levels of speed, agility and innovation.Editor's Note: This special episode of the AI Proving Ground Podcast was recorded during WWT's Business Innovation Summit, which took place at the PGA TOUR's World Wide Technology Championship in November 2025. The AI Proving Ground Podcast leverages the deep AI technical and business expertise from within World Wide Technology's one-of-a-kind AI Proving Ground, which provides unrivaled access to the world's leading AI technologies. This unique lab environment accelerates your ability to learn about, test, train and implement AI solutions. Learn more about WWT's AI Proving Ground. The AI Proving Ground is a composable lab environment that features the latest high-performance infrastructure and reference architectures from the world's leading AI companies, such as NVIDIA, Cisco, Dell, F5, AMD, Intel and others. Developed within our Advanced Technology Center (ATC), this one-of-a-kind lab environment empowers IT teams to evaluate and test AI infrastructure, software and solutions for efficacy, scalability and flexibility — all under one roof. The AI Proving Ground provides visibility into data flows across the entire development pipeline, enabling more informed decision-making while safeguarding production environments.

In this episode of the AI Proving Ground Podcast, WWT Co-founder and CEO Jim Kavanaugh and Cisco President Jeetu Patel break down the real constraints shaping the AI era and explore why platforms will define the next decade of enterprise innovation. They'll also talk about how secure, scalable architectures enable organizations to innovate confidently and compete at AI speed.Editor's Note: This special episode of the AI Proving Ground Podcast was recorded during WWT's Business Innovation Summit, which took place at the PGA TOUR's World Wide Technology Championship in November 2025. The AI Proving Ground Podcast leverages the deep AI technical and business expertise from within World Wide Technology's one-of-a-kind AI Proving Ground, which provides unrivaled access to the world's leading AI technologies. This unique lab environment accelerates your ability to learn about, test, train and implement AI solutions. Learn more about WWT's AI Proving Ground. The AI Proving Ground is a composable lab environment that features the latest high-performance infrastructure and reference architectures from the world's leading AI companies, such as NVIDIA, Cisco, Dell, F5, AMD, Intel and others. Developed within our Advanced Technology Center (ATC), this one-of-a-kind lab environment empowers IT teams to evaluate and test AI infrastructure, software and solutions for efficacy, scalability and flexibility — all under one roof. The AI Proving Ground provides visibility into data flows across the entire development pipeline, enabling more informed decision-making while safeguarding production environments.

The AI Proving Ground Podcast team is proud to kick off a weeklong series of daily releases from WWT's Business Innovation Summit — bringing you unfiltered conversations with the visionary leaders shaping the next decade of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud and enterprise AI strategy. Featuring insights from executives at Cisco, Google Cloud, Microsoft, NVIDIA, NightDragon, Morgan Stanley and more, this series offers urgent, real-time perspective on how AI is transforming the global economy, redefining risk, and rewriting the rules of competitive advantage.The AI Proving Ground Podcast leverages the deep AI technical and business expertise from within World Wide Technology's one-of-a-kind AI Proving Ground, which provides unrivaled access to the world's leading AI technologies. This unique lab environment accelerates your ability to learn about, test, train and implement AI solutions. Learn more about WWT's AI Proving Ground. The AI Proving Ground is a composable lab environment that features the latest high-performance infrastructure and reference architectures from the world's leading AI companies, such as NVIDIA, Cisco, Dell, F5, AMD, Intel and others. Developed within our Advanced Technology Center (ATC), this one-of-a-kind lab environment empowers IT teams to evaluate and test AI infrastructure, software and solutions for efficacy, scalability and flexibility — all under one roof. The AI Proving Ground provides visibility into data flows across the entire development pipeline, enabling more informed decision-making while safeguarding production environments.

Join Edmondo Orlotti, Chief Growth Officer at Core42, and Mike Trejecki, Senior Director of AI at World Wide Technology, as they explore the future of national-scale AI. They argue that AI is a genuine industrial revolution, not a bubble, and discuss how fragmented data poses a significant barrier for enterprises. The conversation delves into the concept of AI-native nations, the role of agentic platforms in democratizing AI tools, and the importance of data sovereignty to protect intellectual property and ensure compliance. Don't miss their insights on the balance of speed and safety in AI adoption!