Reflecting on 2024: AI and the ‘Shiny New Object’ Effect
Reflecting on 2024, it’s clear that AI has landed and officially taken on the ‘shiny object effect’. With organizations rushing to utilize the technology, there’s been a tendency to layer AI atop an ecosystem without establishing a strategy for the fundamentals, such as data platform, data consolidation and modernization. A hope for 2025 is the normalization of AI to avoid this, and the progression of autonomous agents that learn and mimic human communication preferences, advancing beyond basic chatbots to more immersive and context-aware AI agents.
Additionally, this past year has made it apparent that not all organization’s are creating conditions for hiring across boarders, and allowing top talent to work on key projects regardless of their geographic location. A shift in this would provide multiple benefits: simplifying projects whilst widening the talent pool, supporting the freedom of dedicated workers, and releasing brain power and capital in areas that will benefit from economic growth.
Data Integration: The Key to Operational Success
In this episode, Ana, Andrew, and Chris discuss various themes including the technical difficulties faced during remote recordings, the influence of technology on elections, the challenges of cybersecurity, and the complexities of data integration and security. They also explore how algorithms shape political messaging and the implications of these technologies on society. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various themes including the impact of social media on public perception, insights gained from major conferences like Ignite, the evolution of podcasting in the tech space, and the importance of ecosystem-oriented architecture in organizations. They emphasize the need for a clear vision and cultural readiness for successful transitions in technology and business strategies.
Announcements from Microsoft Ignite 2024
Microsoft Ignite 2024 featured over 200 AI sessions. Key announcementsincluded Azure SQL transactional databases for app development, Co-pilot Studio in Power Apps for mini agents, deeper RAG capabilities with Azure AI Foundry, new managed security and operations in Power Platform, and updated governance and licensing for Co-pilot Studio.This podcast episode also tackles the rise of shadow AI, emphasizing the need for governance as 78% of workers use unsanctioned tools. Beyond the tech, it reflects on the joy of hands-on collaboration, like data modelling and brainstorming on whiteboards, proving that going back to basics can still drive innovation. What’s your top Ignite takeaway?
The Cloud Application Platform Era is a seismic, generational transition for cloud technology
We are experiencing a seismic, generational transition in the way that organizations buy, use, and enable their own success via technology. We’re now living in the Cloud Application Platform era, wherein organizations plan more strategically, make technical choices today that reduce the risk of being painted into a corner tomorrow, absorb new requirements rapidly, better fix costs across their ecosystem, and buy down the risk of unknown future needs. That’s what the Cloud Application Platform is all about.