Next in Tech

Enterprises are wrestling with delivering data to fuel their AI efforts, hitting roadblocks around data security and privacy concerns and sifting through use cases and models to put it to work. Too many are making high-stake gambles feeding vast quantities of data into massive models. Jesse Robbins, one of the founders of Chef, a progenitor of the DevOps movement, a builder of the early Internet infrastructure and now partner at Heavybit, joins host Eric Hanselman to look at alternatives to the path that many are taking in pursuit of successful AI projects. In much the same way that DevOps patterns look to shift application development to more smaller, incremental changes with a pipeline that drives continuous improvement, AI projects can work with smaller models and localized datasets to manage risk and iterate faster. It's a pattern that avoids concerns of pushing sensitive data to cloud-based offerings by working locally. Using smaller models reduces infrastructure costs and the need for vast quantities of GPU's.

Larger models sizes and data sets create two problems – more computational power and supporting infrastructure is required and more data complicates data provenance, security and ownership issues. Starting smaller and expecting to iterate on the results locally can have multiple benefits. If the data being used never leaves the local confines, security concerns are constrained to local environments. Tools like the open source project Ollama can deliver a choice of models to fit a variety of use cases and infrastructure capacities. Just like DevOps patterns, starting small and iterating quickly can get further faster and with lower risk.

More S&P Global Content:

• Big Picture GenAI report
• Kubernetes community capitalizes on open source and AI synergies

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Jesse Robbins
• Producer/Editor: Donovan Menard and Odesha Chan
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

Other Resources:

• The Data Pipeline is the New Secret Sauce
• Ollama
• Continue

Much of business success depends on successfully managing risk, but that includes not only those aspects under direct control, but also the risks in relationships with third parties. It's a task that can be daunting for any business and Luke Nordlie joins host Eric Hanselman to discuss the challenges and technology-based approaches to risk assessment, monitoring and compliance. With expanding supplier ecosystems, businesses are faced with issues of scaling their third party risk management efforts to match that growth. At the same time, there is growing regulatory pressure and associated compliance mandates. For many businesses, this comes at a time when they're working with fewer staff, as they try to manage costs. To become more efficient and effective, they need to shift their tactics from point-in-time evaluations to a continuous compliance process, leveraging data to build better understanding of their risk posture. It's an approach that has seen use in cybersecurity and insurance.

With increasing desire to outsource non-core business functions comes a growing supplier inventory. Better controls are needed for onboarding new suppliers to help understand inherent risk. But as industries rely on common providers for specific capabilities, concentration risk increases across them. Regulators are focusing on resilience, with regulations like the UK's DORA explicitly requiring assessments of third party risk. There is additional pressure placed in areas like FinTech, where changes in the funding landscape are translating into needs for greater resilience. Performing due diligence in these new conditions is putting focus on technologies like questionnaire-less onboarding and monitoring using different data sources. Efforts at regulatory harmonization show promise in aiding third party risk management and helping it become a continuous process of evaluation and understanding of risk posture.

More S&P Global Content:

• Getting Smarter with TPRM: Reimaginin Due Diligence Webinar
• Survey Data Hub - Voice of the Enterprise: Information Security, Technology Roadmap 2024

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Luke Nordlie
• Producer/Editor: Donovan Menard, Odesha Chan
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

The excitement swirling around AI often obscures the infrastructure that makes it possible. Since long before AI was at the forefront of technology discussions, datacenters have been powering technology and Jonathan Schroth returns to discuss datacenter markets and the complex forces that impact them with host Eric Hanselman. Datacenter demand is driven by the need for capacity in power, as well as interconnection. Recent subsea cable landings in the Pacific Northwest that link Pacific and Asian markets are driving demand in Oregon and Vancouver. That's in spite of higher costs in the latter. Interconnection is also a factor in Toronto.

Constraints on power capacity are impacting these markets, as well as shaping the situation across Canada. What was once plentiful hydroelectric power around the Columbia River Gorge, is seen as beginning to plateau while demand continues to increase. The situation is the same in Eastern Canada, as winter power demands are exceeding what can be delivered by hydro. In the distant future, nuclear power could play a role, if small modular reactor designs can be deployed, but some locations, such as Oregon, have nuclear bans in place. Once again, key factors beyond the underlying technologies are the key factors in growth.

More S&P Global Content:

• Bitcoin miners eye grid flexibility role as regulators scrutinize access
• Next in Tech Episode 105: Energy and innovation at CERAWeek
• Seattle, the so-called 'cloud city,' is anything but with subdued datacenter growth
• Big Tech's construction blitz in the Pacific Northwest's Columbia Plateau

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Jonathan Schroth
• Producer/Editor: Donovan Menard and Odesha Chan
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

The annual Big Picture Reports are out and they span the breadth and depth of our research areas, including capital markets, commodities, commercial real estate, emerging technology, M&A and supply chain. Analysts Melissa Incera and Iuri Struta join host Eric Hanselman to talk about what they reveal and the strong interconnections across them all. A core driver is the rapid adoption of AI. It's affecting capital markets, increasing energy demand and exacerbating water stress in some regions. The commodity insights report looks at datacenter growth and the effects on utility grids. That growth is a bright spot in commercial real estate. The technology adoption behind it is not all smooth sailing, though. Enterprises are struggling with a number of challenges in achieving the promised value of AI.

The levels of capital spending for AI are concerning the markets and raising questions about when these massive investments will bear fruit. It's a situation where strategic investors feel they have to compete to gain access to a critical technology. It's also one where potential changes in the U.S. FTC posture could shift M&A thinking, if concerns about aggressive action are lifted. The reports cover all of this and much more!

See the Big Picture for 2025

More S&P Global Content:

• Powering AI – Opportunities, tensions in datacenter and energy markets
• Generative AI Digest: The debate over open-source vs. closed-source models
• Big Tech ramps up capex as 1st signs of AI returns emerge
• GenAI funding on track to set new record in 2024
• Calling all private equity, venture capital and limited partner professionals to participate in our 2025 Private Equity and Venture Capital Outlook survey! Share your thoughts on private markets sentiment and trends you anticipate over the next 12 months across deal activity, investment strategies, fundraising conditions, technology adoption and more. Results will be available via our outlook report published in Q1 of 2025. Take the survey now: Annual Private Equity and Venture Capital Outlook Survey

Research subscribers can access additional content, including:

• Moving from hype to ROI: Tracking success and value in AI initiatives
• Generative AI Digest 19: A roundup of latest breakthroughs and developments

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Melissa Incera, Iuri Struta
• Producer/Editor: Donovan Menard and Odesha Chan
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

Fresh from the 12th annual Money 20/20 US conference, Jordan McKee and McKayla Wooldridge return to the podcast to discuss all things FinTech with host Eric Hanselman. While the theme of the conference, "human in the machine", focused on AI, there was less drama, as exhibitors and attendees grappled with a changing investment landscape and regulatory pressures. The CFPB's release of the open banking rule is generating significant activity as both banks and FinTech companies implement open banking capabilities. There was added regulatory scrutiny to contend with after a notable failure in the banking as a service market. Ecosystems are expanding in payment orchestration, as more providers open their environments to support multiple payment processors, driven by merchant demands. While there has been a significant pullback in investments compared to previous years, funding is happening and deals are getting done.

There were some long-standing trends that came back this year. Jordan is branding the renewed focus on cloud wallets as Wallet War II, as vendors vie to win guest checkout placements. Cryptocurrency in the form of stable coins, was back as means for cross border transactions. It's an area where there is significant tech being applied. As McKayla discussed in episode 186, B2B payments are seeing ongoing digitization. The conference was rife with activity and there is much more that we discussed.

More S&P Global Content: - A primer on payments orchestration - Key takeaways from 2024's Money20/20 US - Virtual cards offer a boost to security, could help streamline B2B payables - Payments, fraud prevention enhance strategic value for merchants – Highlights from VotE: Customer Experience & Commerce - Emerging fraud typologies primer, Part 1: Fighting 'friendly fraud' in e-commerce

Credits: - Host/Author: Eric Hanselman - Guests: Jordan McKee, McKayla Wooldridge - Producer/Editor: Donovan Menard and Odesha Chan - Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

There is continuing positive sentiment among technology buyers, a trend that's continued for a fourth quarter. Sheryl Kingstone and Liam Eagle return to discuss the latest Tech Demand Indicator (TDI) study results with host Eric Hanselman. The numbers have shown strong correlation with aggregate revenue changes for companies in the S&P 500 Information Technology Index. There are a number of interesting trends within the data. Previously eager spending intent for AI technology has cooled slightly, but remains positive. It has slipped to third place behind information technology and cloud infrastructure. Influence on sentiment shifted in some areas, but external economic conditions continued to lead. When contrasting technology intent versus lines of business intent, selling and customer experience focus predominates. The TDI serves as a signal that guides other parts of research and can help provide insights into market trends. When integrated with other data products, it can provide correlation with more specific markers to create forward-looking indications. When it comes to making the most of the TDI data, it's all interconnected!

More S&P Global Content:

• Technology Demand Webinar
• The 451 Alliance
• Economic pressures may delay anticipated sustainability-driven IT spending
• Tech spending intent extends consistent period of positive demand – Tech Demand Indicator highlights from Q3'24

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Sheryl Kingstone, Liam Eagle
• Producer/Editor: Donovan Menard and Odesha Chan
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

As the seasons shift gears, there's activity happening off the playing fields with sports media deals that are getting teams on their feet. Analysts Scott Robson and Michael Johnson join host Eric Hanselman to look at deals in women's and men's sports in the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NWSL and NHL. Streaming media companies are pushing into an area where linear media has dominated and they're competing aggressively to secure events. At the same time, leagues are expanding both their calendars and playing fields. International games have become common as they look to build fan bases in new geographies. College teams are dealing both with player compensation demands and are stepping beyond the traditional conference boundaries to create matchups that will draw larger viewership.

Regional sports networks have struggled, with a notable bankruptcy disrupting the market. That continues a shift that was forced during the pandemic and continues today. Cord cutting by consumers has only accelerated this trend. Many teams are developing direct-to-consumer streaming services as a result. It's still a question as to whether these efforts will be viable, given the constraints they face. At the same time streaming services are expanding into a broader range of sports. Pickleball, anyone?

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• MediaTalk | Season 2 | Ep. 29 - Streaming Services, Linear Networks Kick Off
• Sports rights in the US approach $30 billion in 2024

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Scott Robson, Michael Johnson
• Producer/Editor: Donovan Menard and Odesha Chan
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

As the payment industry works to address security and fraud, they're moving beyond being consumers of security technology and becoming acquirers. Mastercard's recent acquisition of Recorded Future is the latest example of this trend. Jordan McKee and Scott Crawford return to discuss the dynamics on both sides of this equation with host Eric Hanselman. This is only the latest of nine transactions for Mastercard and it indicates the need for greater payment security in a number of ways. As transaction security is ratcheted up, attackers are shifting tactics. Identity fraud has become the stage on which this struggle is playing out. Fraud liability can fall to merchants and fraud prevention can build value for issuing banks. At the same time, banks want to minimize false declines to encourage use of their cards.

Mastercard isn't the only payment company making acquisitions and it raises the question of this becoming a more viable exit path for security companies. The $2.65 billion deal is the thirteenth largest by a strategic acquirer in the 451 Research M&A Knowledgebase. American Express, Discover and Visa have been active in dealmaking, as well, but not yet at this scale.

More S&P Global Content:

• A primer on payments orchestration
• Security Summer Camp 2024 and the elephant in the room
• For Mastercard, the future will be recorded
• MAKB Deal Analysis
• Payments, fraud prevention enhance strategic value for merchants – Highlights from VotE: Customer Experience & Commerce
• Emerging fraud typologies primer, Part 1: Fighting 'friendly fraud' in e-commerce

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Scott Crawford, Jordan McKee
• Producer/Editor: Donovan Menard
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

If your view of the technology that drives the human resources end of business is mostly hiring, firing and time off management, your head would have been spinning at the HR Tech conference that just wrapped up. Analyst Conner Forrest was there and joined host Eric Hanselman to look at not only the highlights of the conference, but also his recent research and market explorations. It's an area that has seen dramatic transformation, as organizations work to manage their internal capabilities with one of their most valuable assets, their employees. Analytics now play a much greater role in many aspects of management. People analytics can address performance management to gauge and guide team effectiveness. It's grown into employee experience analysis, as organizations look to manage and retain key talents and skills. Using intelligent skills gap analysis can strengthen training programs, particularly when it becomes part of employee growth planning. When it's done right, investing in employee experience can also improve customer experience.

HR tech is another market where there is a tension between integrated analytical functionality and standalone products. The recent HR tech Market Monitor looks at shifts in growth, startup opportunities and market dynamics. Larger players want to maintain a platform advantage and newcomers are trying to carve out their own niche. There are a host of possibilities to improve performance, culture and employee focus.

More S&P Global Content:

• How legacy tech can kill recruiting efforts, increase attrition and ruin the employee experience
• Top 5 AI use cases for HR set stage for its evolution to data-driven partner
• Data Insight: HR technology market to surpass $85B in 2028
• HR Technology Market Monitor & Forecast

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Conner Forrest
• Producer/Editor: Donovan Menard
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

As cloud-based infrastructure becomes a larger part of enterprise portfolios, there's greater focus on securing it effectively. Analyst Mark Ehr joins host Eric Hanselman to wade into the acronym-rich world of cloud native application security. Like other aspects of cloud and cloud native, security is a matter of dealing with speed and scale. There's more telemetry that's available, but workloads are more ephemeral and extending the same methods used in on-premises security risks overwhelming security teams and ballooning costs. Decomposing CNAPP into infrastructure and application development patterns creates an explosion of subsegments – Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), Cloud Workload Protection (CWP), Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM) and many more. Security vendors are bundling the various pieces together into platforms, but buyers aren't fully buying in. Efforts to move security earlier into the application development process, the "shift left" movement, has added the need to secure the infrastructure provisioning process that's taking place in cloudy environments.

Cloud security has become the leading pain point for security teams, according to 451 Research's Voice of the Enterprise study data, and cloud native skills are one of their leading skills gaps. At the same time, most organizations use multiple cloud providers, increasing complexity. Operational scale is necessitating a move beyond the siloed approaches that have been the norm for security. To provide effective security, data has to be shared across infrastructure. It also happens to be an area where cloud-based security tooling is taking a greater role.

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• The Open Cybersecurity Schema Framework
• Security for cloud-native applications
• SentinelOne continues its aggressive growth strategy with new CNAPP offering
• Orca Security continues its CNAPP momentum

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Mark Ehr
• Producer/Editor: Donovan Menard
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith