Mark Yeeles is joined by leading industry voice, IDC analyst Penny Madsen as they explore the tangible benefits of cloud computing for businesses, highlighting the shift towards operational efficiency and the move from capital expenses to operational ones. They discuss how cloud services are evolving, particularly through dedicated cloud ecosystems that offer a range of digital services, including industry-specific and AI applications, which are driving innovation and transformation.

During the episode they also examine the role of hyperscalers in providing access to the latest technologies and the cost savings they offer, especially with the increasing adoption of generative AI. The conversation also touches on overcoming the challenges of cloud complexity and security, the impact of network and performance issues, and the critical role of skilled professionals in managing cloud infrastructure.

In this episode, Mark Yeeles and Serverfarm’s Arun Shenoy explore the importance of sustainability in the tech industry; focusing on the lifecycle of IT hardware and the critical role data centres play in our digital infrastructure. They discuss the necessity of repurposing and extending the life of tech equipment, emphasising how large hyperscalers can offer their outdated hardware to those with less demanding performance needs.

Reflecting on career advice for young tech professionals, they talk about the broad range of opportunities within technology, from hardware engineering to software, and stress the importance of portraying the data centre industry as integral to every aspect of daily life, comparable to essential services like housing and healthcare.

Looking to the future, they consider the tech industry's larger contribution to society as the 'fourth utility,' alongside water, gas and electricity and ponder what disruptive forces might emerge in 2024.

In this episode Mark Yeeles welcomes David Hall from Atlas Edge to discuss the evolving landscape of data centres and the critical role they play in the next generation of internet applications. They explore the idea of data centres as good corporate citizens and the pursuit of a sustainable internet, touching on the concept of ‘dancing on the edge’ in relation to embracing the exciting changes and challenges in digital infrastructure.

David shares his personal journey from studying machine learning to becoming a pivotal figure in the data centre industry, highlighting the shift to edge computing and the importance of building data centres closer to users for enhanced sustainability and performance. Their conversation finally turns to the transformative impact of machine learning platforms and the potential of edge data centres to integrate with district heating systems to contribute to local communities.