The MonkCast

Stephen O'Grady sits down with Adam Jacob, CEO and Co-Founder of System Initiative, for a candid conversation about what it actually feels like to build software in the age of AI agents. Adam describes his team's decision to go "absolute AI maximalist," letting a five-person crew produce 150,000 lines of TypeScript that no human has fully read, and why that experience broke every assumption he had about estimation, trust, risk, and team dynamics. The two trace the emergence of three distinct camps in the developer world: skeptics, cautious adopters still treating AI as fancy autocomplete, and a growing third group who are no longer writing the software they ship but instead building the systems that build it. Adam argues the shift is less about cost reduction than raw velocity—an orders-of-magnitude increase in pressure that will burst every existing process, compliance framework, and social norm in software development. Along the way, they explore why the old practice of user acceptance testing is suddenly relevant again, why domain-driven design matters more than ever when you can't read every line of code, and why the magnitude of this transition may rival the transistor. Adam closes with practical career advice for engineers: learn software architecture, study systems design, and start building agents at home, because the people who understand how to construct the machine that constructs the software will define the next era.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/adam-jacob-ai-maximalistChapters00:00 Introduction to AI and Reality01:42 Adam's Journey with AI05:19 The Shift to AI Maximalism09:49 The Three Camps of AI Users12:41 Building Software with AI19:23 Implications of AI on Software Development23:52 Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Software Development29:38 The Impact of AI on Software Engineering35:15 The Infinite Demand for Software43:41 Career Advice for Aspiring Engineers

At KubeCon EU 2026 in Amsterdam, James Governor sits down with VMware by Broadcom's Timmy Carr and Himanshu Singh to unpack how VMware is tackling two of the biggest challenges facing European enterprises today: complexity and sovereignty. The conversation explores how VCF and VKS are designed to simplify Kubernetes adoption for IT and platform teams, offering a fully declarative API that unifies the management of VMs, containers, and AI workloads under one consistent operational model. The discussion then turns to digital sovereignty, where Timmy and Himanshu explain how VCF's flexible deployment options—from on-prem data centers to sovereign cloud providers—help organizations keep data and workloads within regulatory boundaries. They also dig into VMware's ecosystem strategy, emphasizing CNCF-certified compatibility and recent validations with partners aimed at ensuring VKS can serve as a drop-in replacement for any Kubernetes runtime.This RedMonk conversation is sponsored by VMware by Broadcom.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/sovereignty-meets-simplicity-for-vmware-by-broadcom-at-kubecon-eu-2026Chapters:00:00 Introductions from KubeCon EU Amsterdam 00:47 Cloud-Native Complexity Needs Simplification 01:44 VCF and VKS Simplify Kubernetes 04:04 Declarative APIs for Platform Teams 05:21 Digital Sovereignty in Europe Today 05:55 Deploying VCF for Sovereign Clouds 07:47 Private AI, Security, and Compliance 09:36 Building the Partner Ecosystem 10:05 Bring Your Own CNI 12:09 Validations with F5, Tigera, Kong 14:16 Drop-In Kubernetes Runtime Replacement 14:45 Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts

James Governor of RedMonk sits down with VMware by Broadcom's Dilpreet Bindra and Zach Shepherd at KubeCon Europe 2026 in Amsterdam to unpack what they call "the best kept secret in the industry": VMware by Broadcom's deep, sustained contributions to the CNCF and Kubernetes ecosystem. The conversation covers VMware's shift to exposing Cluster API directly as a product commitment, the etcd diagnostic tooling they've open-sourced for the whole community, and the journey of Velero from an internal project to a CNCF sandbox project with maintainers from Red Hat, Microsoft, and beyond. The trio also digs into the significance of CNCF's new AI platform conformance program, VKS's certification as a Kubernetes AI platform, and why workload portability matters more than ever as the AI tooling landscape explodes. Dilpreet and Zach close with what's got them buzzing at the biggest KubeCon Europe yet — from llm-d's CNCF sandbox acceptance to the quality of customer conversations happening on the show floor.This RedMonk conversation is sponsored by VMware by Broadcom.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/vmware-by-broadcoms-open-source-story-at-kubecon-eu-2026/Chapters:00:00 Introductions: Meet Dilpreet Bindra and Zach Shepherd from VMware by Broadcom01:07 The Best Kept Secret: VMware's History as a Top CNCF Contributor01:50 Betting on Cluster API: Moving from Proprietary to Open Source02:24 Chopping Wood, Carrying Water: Earning Community Trust03:04 The Chop Wood Carry Water Award and VMware's Track Record03:45 The etcd Story: Open-Sourcing Support Tools for the Whole Ecosystem04:52 Leading Projects vs. Sharing Ownership05:46 Velero's Evolution: From VMware Project to CNCF Sandbox06:24 What Is Velero? Kubernetes-Native Backup and Restore07:13 Diverse Maintainership: Red Hat, Microsoft, and Beyond07:57 Why Contributing Velero to the CNCF Is a Strategic Investment, Not a Giveaway08:34 AI, Kubernetes, and the Infrastructure Boom09:06 VKS as a Certified Kubernetes AI Platform and Why Portability Matters10:17 CNCF AI Compliance and the Promise of Workload Portability10:46 KubeCon EU 2026: The Biggest One Yet11:11 What's Most Exciting: llm-d Joins the CNCF Sandbox11:34 Booth Energy and the Depth of Customer Conversations12:07 Wrap-Up

In this RedMonk Conversation, Rachel Stephens sits down with Boris Bialek, VP of Industries and Global Field CTO at MongoDB, to explore why data remains the unshakable foundation beneath the fast-moving world of AI. Boris paints a vivid picture of an industry where every sector—from banking to automotive to insurance—is racing to adopt AI simultaneously, often betting on the "whole racetrack" at once. The conversation traces the rapid evolution from chatbots to RAG architectures to MCP servers and agentic systems, all within roughly 18 months, and asks: what should enterprises actually anchor to when the layers above keep shifting? Boris makes the case that while LLMs, frameworks, and protocols will come and go, your data is the one asset you truly own and control. Along the way, they dig into real-world use cases like predictive maintenance on factory floors and intelligent airline customer service, the role of real-time vectorization and embedded models (including MongoDB's acquisition of Voyage AI), and the critical importance of encryption and governance when machines start talking to machines. The takeaway: building a strong, unified data platform isn't just a database decision — it's the strategic foundation for enterprise AI transformation.This RedMonk conversation is sponsored by MongoDBShow notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/ai-data-boris-bialek/Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Conversation01:23 Navigating the Rapidly Evolving Tech Landscape04:38 The Importance of Data Ownership11:22 Unified Data Platforms and AI Integration17:34 The Evolution of AI and Agentic Systems23:15 Compliance, Governance, and Data Security25:27 Conclusion: The Central Role of Data

In this conversation, RedMonk's Kate Holterhoff talks to Mike Basios, CTO and Co-founder of TurinTech AI, about the new set of problems AI is introducing for engineering organisations, and what happens when you treat your entire stack—application code, data pipelines, inference systems, agent workflows, GPU and CPU kernels—as measurable artifacts that can be systematically validated and continuously improved. Mike explains how AI is fundamentally changing both how engineering gets done and what engineering is being asked to deliver. The conversation explores a central tension: while AI tools have made individual developers dramatically more productive, that velocity is creating a growing backlog of unreviewed, unoptimized code, and an infrastructure that was never designed to support the dozens of concurrent agents a single developer might now depend on. Mike argues that the engineering role is shifting from problem-solving to outcome-verification, and that teams who don't define what "good" looks like before they build will struggle to compete as the quality of the solution, not the speed of its creation, becomes the key differentiator. TurinTech's answer to this challenge is a measurement-first platform that applies evolutionary, self-improving techniques to continuously benchmark and optimize code across any domain where performance can be quantified.This RedMonk conversation is sponsored by TurinTech AI.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/mike-basios-on-why-ai-era-engineering-needs-a-measurement-first-approachChapters:00:00 The Impact of AI on Software Engineering03:41 Shifting Roles: Engineers as AI Managers07:35 Infrastructure Challenges in AI Development11:10 Reliability and Performance of AI Systems19:09 Measuring Success in AI Optimization26:27 The Future of AI in Software Development

In this episode of the MonkCast, RedMonk senior analyst Kate Holterhoff sits down with Kin Lane, API Evangelist and Co-Founder & Chief Community Officer (CCO) for Naftiko, to untangle one of the most pressing questions in developer tooling today: what happens to APIs and SDKs when AI enters the picture? Kin traces the SDK from its origins in the REST API era of 2008, through the recurring (and always premature) declarations of its death, to its current identity crisis in an age of AI co-pilots, MCP servers, and agentic IDEs. The conversation explores how OpenAPI specs are being used to shrink context windows and why AI might generate bespoke, single-purpose SDKs on the fly rather than shipping monolithic language-specific kits.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/sdks-in-the-ai-era-with-kin-lane/Chapters00:00 Introduction to APIs and SDKs06:36 The Evolution of SDKs in the AI Era10:08 Future of SDK Generation and Automation17:20 Business Alignment and SDK Development20:09 The Role of IDEs and MCPs in SDKs26:07 SDKs for AI Agents vs. Human Developers29:15 The Power of Language in Technology30:40 Navigating Determinism and Non-Determinism in AI35:29 The Role of Abstraction Layers in Development39:00 API Governance: Bridging Gaps in Development46:22 Designing APIs for AI Misuse50:52 The Evolving Identity of Developers58:07 Where to Follow Kin Lane's Insights

In this RedMonk conversation, Stu Miniman, Senior Director of Market Insights, Hybrid Platforms at Red Hat, shares his extensive tech industry experience and insights with Kate Holterhoff. Stu discusses behind-the-scenes stories from his time as an industry analyst at theCUBE. As a seasoned expert in networking, virtualization, and cloud computing, he also chats about how networking challenges are being addressed in the Kubernetes ecosystem, the impact of AI, and the future of the industry analyst role.Red Hat is a RedMonk client, but this video is unsponsored and independent.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/clouderatti-to-thecube-stu-miniman/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background06:18 The Evolution of EMC and Its Impact14:17 Networking in the Kubernetes Ecosystem22:07 The Role of an Analyst28:57 AI: Opportunities and Challenges35:03 The Cube: A Journey Through Live Production40:57 Preparation and Connection with Guests46:27 Building Relationships and Networking53:51 Analysts vs Influencers: A Blurred Line01:05:18 Wrapping Up and Future Engagements

In this RedMonk conversation, Kate Holterhoff speaks with Ansgar Lindwedel, Director of Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) Ecosystem Development at the Eclipse Foundation. They discuss the concept of Software Defined Vehicles, the evolution of software in the automotive industry, and the challenges faced by developers. Ansgar explains the importance of the Eclipse SDV working group, the trade-offs of proprietary operating systems, and the role of open source in building competencies. They also touch on safety in open source software development, the ecosystem of Eclipse SDV, the impact of AI on automotive development, and the future roadmap for the community.This RedMonk Conversation is sponsored by the Eclipse Foundation.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/eclipse-sdv-ansgar-lindwedel/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Software Defined Vehicles02:10 The Evolution of Software in Automotive05:02 Eclipse SDV Working Group Overview08:49 Challenges in Automotive Development Tools11:57 The Shift to Open Source in Automotive16:32 Functional Safety in Open Source Software19:12 The Ecosystem of Eclipse SDV31:58 The Role of AI in Automotive Development36:21 Future Roadmap and Transformative Changes

In this RedMonk conversation, Chris Corriere, Founder of Ecology Computing and an organizer of Devopsdays Atlanta, shares his unique perspective on socio-technical systems, complexity in computing, and the future of DevOps practices with Kate Holterhoff. They discuss how ecological thinking influences technology and how mapping tools like Cynefin and Wardley Maps can help navigate complex environments.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/chris-corriere-complexity/Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Background00:27 Chris Corriere's Ecological Perspective on Technology02:11 Socio-technical Mathematics and Complexity02:40 Mathematics in Computing and AI04:32 AI, Agency, and Autonomy in Systems05:42 Math Skills for Developers and Data Scientists06:57 Platform Engineering and Source Control09:09 Open Source Projects and Enterprise Work11:04 The Role of Git and Version Control12:23 Greenfield Projects and Tech Debt13:35 Understanding Cynefin and Wardley Mapping18:54 What is Cynefin? Its Origins and Meaning19:54 Chaos, Disorder, and Platform Salvage21:38 Mapping the Tech Environment with Wardley25:41 Mapping Space Technologies and Quantum Computing27:02 DevOps Days Atlanta and Future Themes29:30 The Future of AI, Education, and Community31:13 Closing Remarks and Contact Info

In this RedMonk Conversation, senior analyst Kate Holterhoff is joined by Alex Moore, Executive Director of Open Web Advocacy (OWA), to unpack why the web has struggled to compete with native apps on mobile and what regulators are finally doing about it. Moore traces OWA’s origins from frustrated engineers to a global advocacy group. They explore the technical, economic, and competitive implications of blocking web apps on iOS, from developer productivity and install friction to security myths and the future of innovation. The discussion spans WebAssembly, PWAs vs. native apps, and major regulatory efforts like the EU’s Digital Markets Act, the UK’s DMCC, Japan’s Smartphone Act, and the US DOJ case against Apple.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/alex-moore-open-web-advocacy/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Open Web Advocacy02:48 The Formation and Goals of OWA05:17 Apple's Dominance in Mobile Development07:45 Web Apps vs. Native Apps: The Debate10:39 The Future of Web Apps12:55 Security Concerns and Apple's App Store19:56 Conclusion and Future Outlook22:14 Security in Native vs Web Environments23:30 Advocacy Work and Legislative Landscape24:02 Digital Markets Act and Its Implications28:56 Global Movements: Japan and US Cases Against Apple32:08 Getting Involved: Advocacy and Community Engagement35:23 Call to Action: Pushing for Change in the Tech Landscape37:52 The Future of Tinkering and Innovation

In this episode of RedMonk Conversations, Rachel Stephens (Research Director at RedMonk) sits down with Özer Dondurmacıoğlu, VP of Product Marketing at GitLab, to discuss GitLab’s vision for intelligent orchestration across the software development lifecycle.AI coding may be accelerating how quickly developers generate code, but what happens to code review, security scanning, compliance, testing, governance, and release coordination when code volume increases? Learn more about GitLab's vision for leveling up the SDLC.This is a RedMonk video, sponsored by GitLab.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/gitlab-platform/

In this RedMonk conversation, Kate Holterhoff chats with Daniel Stenberg, founder of the curl project, about the challenges and implications of AI-generated code in open source software, focusing particularly on the phenomenon known as AI Slop. They discuss the impact of AI on bug reporting, the effectiveness of bug bounty systems, and the importance of community engagement. Daniel shares insights on how AI can be both a tool for good and a source of problems, emphasizing the need for communication and collaboration in the open source community. The conversation also touches on the role of platforms like GitHub and the future of open source in an AI-driven world.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/daniel-stenberg-ai-onslop/Chapters00:00 Introduction to Curl and AI Slop01:54 The Rise of AI Slop in Open Source05:39 Defining AI Slop and Its Impact07:07 Understanding Bug Bounty Systems09:27 The Importance of Curl in the Tech Ecosystem11:48 Positive Uses of AI in Open Source15:19 Navigating AI Tools and Their Limitations17:29 Community Engagement and Best Practices19:11 Leadership in the Face of AI Challenges22:11 Future Considerations for Open Source and AI23:45 Navigating the AI Landscape27:01 GitHub's Role in AI Contributions30:45 The Future of AI and Open Source33:53 Empowering Engineering Leaders37:42 The State of Open Source in the AI Era

In this conversation, Stephen O'Grady and Rob Hirschfeld discuss the complexities of bare metal automation, the role of platform teams, and the importance of observability and governance in managing infrastructure. They explore the challenges of integrating open source solutions with bare metal and emphasize the need for specialized support in this area. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of infrastructure management and the necessity for collaboration and expertise.This video is sponsored by RackN.Show notes: https://redmonk.com/videos/navigating-bare-metal-automation-with-rob-hirschfeld/