Next in Tech

Managing the capabilities of an organization's workforce is challenging in the best of times, but the current upheaval created by AI technologies entering the workplace makes it all the more complex. The technologies that have put to work around this problem are many and varied and analyst Ethan Ray joins host Eric Hanselman to look at where we've come from and where we could be headed. There's a rush to determine if new technologies are making workers more productive and what skills are needed to leverage them. Both a recent S&P Global study and the HR Tech conference showed some trends that could be transforming working environments. Workforce intelligence approaches are looking to build a wholistic picture of knowledge, skills and ability of employees and then do skills matching and development planning.

As in other technology disciplines, a proliferation of tools has made many organizations' efforts at workforce management complicated. It's another place where many are considering integrated platforms that that can bring together HR, IT and financial teams to better understand the use of tools and resulting productivity. There are questions about what we can and what we should measure to truly understand efficiency and effectiveness. How can we understand what combination of skills and tools are generating the best financial outcomes? Better technology should hold the answer, but the path forward is not always clear.

More S&P Global Content:

• AI upskilling: Navigating the urgent need for workforce transformation

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• Take 5: AI shakes up HR
• Workday strengthens standing in AI-driven frontline recruitment space with Paradox buy
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• AI holds potential for workplace transformation, but employee concerns must be addressed – Highligh…
• MIT Manufacturing Day headlined by circular economy, workforce skills and modularity

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guest: Ethan Ray
• Producer/Editor: Feranmi Adeoshun
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Kyra Smith

Getting data to where it's needed has always been an infrastructure challenge, but the scope and scale of the problem has become much more acute as data volumes rise and AI demands more. Research director Henry Baltazar returns to look at the latest results from the Voice of the Enterprise Data Migration study with host Eric Hanselman and reflect on how organizations are addressing the crunch in data movement. There's been a significant increase in the number of enterprises reporting that they've moved to migrating petabytes of data and they're now not only shifting to cloud, but moving between clouds, as well. They're also enlisting the help of service providers more often, an indication that the scale of these activities requires professional support to manage risk.

Data movement at this scale demands a shift in tactics and more are using physical transport, the shipping of storage media to cloud providers, to get the job done. They can't risk the downtime needed for network transit, although network capacities are also rising. There are opportunities that cloudy environments present in managing data costs and new strategies that enterprises can put to work to lower not only costs, but risks, too.

More S&P Global Content:

• Next in Tech | Ep. 234: Broadcom VMware Explore Conference
• Next in Tech | Ep. 224: Context Around MCP

For S&P Global subscribers:

• Data Insight: Public cloud storage market to hit $56B by 2029 as data demand rises
• As data migration evolves, outage and security concerns grow
• Security concerns, large payloads are key challenges for data migration – Highlights from VotE: Sto…

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guest: Henry Baltazar
• Producer/Editor: Feranmi Adeoshun
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Kyra Smith

To get to the benefits that AI offers, organizations have to address their technology infrastructure in ways that are much broader than historical approaches. Senior analyst Greg Macatee joins host Eric Hanselman to delve into what's required and what enterprises are identifying in the recent Voice of the Enterprise AI and Machine Learning study. Enterprises are struggling with raising the success levels of AI projects. Over 60% report moderate to severe challenges in achieving AI success. Bringing together the computational power and the right quality data in the right locations can be complicated in the hybrid environments that more are operating. It's not just a matter of being more selective with use cases, AI requires a set of organizational skills that have to be honed. Starting small and iterating can reduce risk while building competency.

Infrastructure has to shift in new ways, as well. Data management processes that can build the necessary data pipelines to feed AI applications bring together a broader set of tech disciplines. There are new wrinkles in AI infrastructure ecosystems, with new providers looking to address supply chain constraints, like the Neocloud or GPU as a Service (GPUaaS) providers. Even hyperscalers are looking to them to meet surging demand in a tight market. Those new options offer new choices, but enterprises need to match them with their AI goals.

More S&P Global Content:

• Navigating the AI infrastructure landscape
• The path from LLMs to agentic AI
• Next in Tech | Ep. 225: Security for MCP

For S&P Global Subscribers:

• AI infrastructure strategies evolve amid widespread data challenges – Highlights from VotE: AI & Machine Learning
• Generative AI Market Monitor & Forecast
• AI infrastructure: Trends, thoughts and a 2025 research agenda

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guest: Greg Macatee
• Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

The annual gathering on infrastructure virtualization that is the VMware by Broadcom Explore conference has wrapped up and there are important takeaways from both the formal program and informal discussions. Analysts Jean Atelsek, Henry Baltazar and William Fellows join host Eric Hanselman to talk about their takes on the event. The newly integrated VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 (VCF) suite has shipped and along with it a new approach to the product portfolio. AI-focused capabilities have been added as VMware aims to create a private cloud portfolio to rival the public cloud offerings. Higher level data services are the first service abstractions available, with the promise of more to come.

In the new organizational structure, the Tanzu product offering is now in its own division in Broadcom. While that offers it independence, it's also meant that in areas like AI functionality, there is some overlap between it and AI capabilities being built into VCF 9. The larger challenge for Broadcom is to motivate customers to fully implement VCF 9 and put all of its capabilities to work.

More S&P Global Content:

• Next in Tech | Ep. 222: FinOps – Managing Cloud and AI Costs
• Next in Tech | Ep. 214: KubeCon and Cloud Native
• Next in Tech | Ep. 183: Exploring Broadcom VMware

For S&P Global Subscribers:

• VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 manifests Broadcom's vision for modern private cloud
• VMware Tanzu enhances support for generative AI and agents with Tanzu AI Solutions
• VMware remains dominant as organizations evaluate alternative virtualization technologies

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guest: Jean Atelsek, Henry Baltazar, William Fellows
• Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

Can you have too much data for an AI application? In the mad dash to collect the raw material for AI applications, it can be tempting to pull in as much as you can. Product manager Emily Jasper returns to the podcast with a set of recommendations for more strategic use of data with host Eric Hanselman. Just as it might not be wise to load up on everything on a buffet, being strategic about using the data that best suits the goals of your project can improve outcomes and help to manage risk. By understanding the data that you're putting to work, you can bound the universe of outcomes and simplify the process of bringing it into the AI application pipeline. At the same time, the process of data governance becomes clearer when the sources are better understood.

Bringing an understanding of the set of data resources that an enterprise has is critical and has to be accompanied by knowledge of the quality of that data. The principles of library sciences are back in focus in AI, as organizations work to curate data characteristics and provenance. As in so much of AI, matching the ecosystem of tools, data providers, and capabilities to the use cases being built is fundamental to project success. Managing risk in AI has become a process of bringing the right data to the right problem.

More S&P Global Content:

• The path from LLMs to agentic AI
• Next in Tech | Ep. 224: Context Around MCP
• Next in Tech | Ep. 225: Security for MCP

For S&P Global Subscribers:

• Data Management Market Monitor & Forecast
• Automation pervades data management practices – Highlights from VotE: Data & Analytics
• Technology Primer: Model Context Protocol explained
• The evolution of agentic process automation: Midyear market and technology update
• Pace of AI agent advancement could spur M&A in the sales automation market

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guest: Emily Jasper
• Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

The typical process of deploying technology has been one of enterprises designing infrastructure around vendor capabilities. The Open Networking Users Group (ONUG) was founded to reverse that equation and define enterprise requirements for technology and work with vendors to achieve them. Co-founder Nick Lippis joins host Eric Hanselman to talk about the approach that ONUG takes, the nature of its community and the work that they're doing today. While their roots are in the networking world, they've expanded to address a wide range of enterprise concerns. The current collaborations include security related work in cloud and security operations automation, WAN connectivity and a reference architecture for AI infrastructure.

The ONUG fall conference takes place in New York on October 22-23.

More S&P Global Content:

• The ONUG fall conference
• The path from LLMs to agentic AI
• Next in Tech | Ep. 225: Security for MCP

For S&P Global Subscribers:

• The evolution of agentic process automation: Midyear market and technology update
• Pace of AI agent advancement could spur M&A in the sales automation market
• 2025 will be pivotal for network APIs – Highlights from Communication and Network APIs Global Survey 2024
• Use of open-source software driven by reliability, low cost – Highlights from VotE: DevOps
• Glimpses of cybersecurity talent development: Industry and community

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guest: Nick Lippis, ONUG co-founder
• Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

The annual "security summer camp" that is made up of the Black Hat and DefCon conferences is just past and the security analyst team, Scott Crawford, Dan Kennedy, Justin Lam and Mark Ehr, join host Eric Hanselman to examine what they saw and discuss the implications. Despite the heat of a Las Vegas summer, it's become bigger than the two main conferences, with a number of side events, like B-Sides, there's a lot going on. AI conversations are evolving and maturing. We've mostly moved beyond blaming user foibles for breaches, but AI is expanding the attack surface with new and more complex tactics for user manipulation. AI is lowering the barriers for attackers. The days of script kiddies have morphed into Claude Code-fueled attack development.

The larger question is how security vendors are responding to AI risks. Claims that tier 1 security analysts should start looking for another job just seem irresponsible in the current environment. AI augmentation can reduce toil and digest the masses of events that security teams struggle to deal with today. At the same time, AI is scaling attack volumes. It's the constant hegemony that's always played out at the core of security.

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• Next in Tech | Ep. 227: Managed Security Services
• Next in Tech | Ep. 225: Security for MCP

For S&P Global Subscribers:

• Use of GenAI security solutions has spiked, continued uptake projected – Highlights from VotE: Information Security
• Infosec spending projected to rise 27% on average in 2025 – Highlights from VotE: Information Security
• CNAPP in focus after large infosec acquisition – Highlights from VotE: Information Security
• Data Insight: Data security market to top $26B in 2029
• Data Security Market Monitor & Forecast
• CNAPP matures into full-spectrum security solution

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Scott Crawford, Dan Kennedy, Justin Lam, Mark Ehr
• Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

The FinTech market has seen considerable upheaval in activity and valuations. But spring may be coming to the funding winter that FinTech has seen and Jordan McKee and Sampath Sharma return to examine the green shoots with host Eric Hanselman. Data platforms, payment rails and insurance tech are seeing renewed interest, while riskier areas, like lending, are not seeing the same focus. FinTech companies are looking at addressing infrastructure and process challenges faced by the banking sector as they transition to the world of instant payments.

Interest in cryptocurrency is roaring back, particularly in stablecoins. The U.S. GENIUS Act has delivered a framework for their use and opened the door to new experimentation. It's another area where FinTech's have an infrastructure opportunity, as a number of FinTech companies already have stablecoin experience and can put it to work for their banking partners. All of this and more will also be on the agenda for the upcoming Banking Infrastructure Modernization webinar at the link below.

More S&P Global Content:

• Upcoming FinTech Webinar: Banking Infrastructure Modernization: Building for Instant Payments
• Money20/20 Europe 2025: Key trends and developments
• National Retail Federation looks to revitalize the modern commerce experience
• Fintech funding falls 42% to $35B in 2023, but downturn may be nearing end

For S&P Global Subscribers:

• Tech Trend in Focus: Payment orchestration
• Cross-border payments, stablecoins generate buzz at a low-key Money20/20 Asia
• Real-time payments, stablecoins draw VC attention in Q3 2024 fintech funding
• 2025 Trends in Fintech

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Jordan McKee, Sampath Sharma
• Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

While advertising is a fundamental part of business, the creator economy has become a fundamental part of advertising. Analyst Zach Ciampa joins host Eric Hanselman to explore the many facets of which it's composed and look at the market impacts. Businesses are working to balance the mix of paid, earned and owned content that they're putting to work to establish, guide and strengthen their brands. The process of influencing buying behavior and brand loyalty and the media mix as part of it continues to evolve. While TikTok may be the view that many have of user generated content (UGC), it's a much richer palette that businesses can use.

Social media has become a large part of advertising, in no small part because of the allure of virality. But is this just gambling on an outcome? The human connection of social media and its people-first nature can have great power, but can be challenging to manage. Technology is being thrown at it in various forms, from influencer management platforms, to agency-driven tech M&A. AI has a role to play, but the human aspect is often the most powerful.

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• Next in Tech | Ep. 228: Advertising and Tech
• National Retail Federation looks to revitalize the modern commerce experience
• Kagan Media and Telecom Summit

For S&P Global Subscribers:

• Payments composability, optimization and resilience are top merchant priorities – Highlights from VotE: Customer Experience & Commerce
• Technology Primer: Building the digital foundation for retail transformation
• Convenience, flexibility, speed drive consumer behavior – Highlights from VoCUL: Connected Customer
• Key takeaways from Shoptalk Spring 2025

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Zach Ciampa
• Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

Advertising is fundamental part of business and it's one that has been buffeted by the impacts of technology in both the path to markets and the management of its delivery. Creating a brand reputation and influencing consumers is the core function and analyst Natalie Colakides and Ian Whittaker, managing director of Liberty Sky Advisors, join host Eric Hanselman to discuss the nuances of advertising and technology's evolution around it. Shifts in media have had a profound effect - the reach of linear television media has decreased significantly, while digital advertising options have expanded. Businesses are looking to blend linear and streaming advertising, but it can be complex to make an effective distinction.

There is significant global variation in media consumption and advertising potential. While the UK was the first market where digital spending overtook traditional, the European market is diverging from patterns in the U.S.. Many businesses are looking to AdTech to make the process more efficient, but there are limits its capabilities. Agencies still have a significant role to play, but the advertising buying and planning that has been a big part of their business could be under threat from advances delivered by AI. Enterprises have a lot to wrestle with, but they need to keep focused on the fundamental task of winning hearts and minds.

More S&P Global Content:

• Kagan Media and Telecom Summit event link

For S&P Global subscribers:

• Big Four ad agencies see mixed results due to macro uncertainty
• A sneak preview of the Kagan Media & Telecom Summit 2025
• See it in charts: TV Networks, June 2025

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Natalie Colakides, Ian Whittaker
• Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith