Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/18/kelsey_hightower_on_dodging_ai/
Source: The Register
Title: Kelsey Hightower on dodging AI and the need for a glossary of IT terms
Feedly Summary: The science of the appliance and opening the lid of the black box to find… it’s just software
Interview The tech industry has a habit of reinventing itself every few years. Kelsey Hightower would like someone to come up with a glossary because software is software, no matter what it gets called.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
**Summary:** The provided text revolves around Kelsey Hightower’s insights on the evolving technology landscape, particularly his skepticism towards the generative AI trend and calls for clarity in technology definitions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding “black box” technologies, advocating for a glossary to demystify these advancements. Additionally, the text discusses Civo’s launch of the FlexCore appliance and the growing trend of enterprises considering the repatriation of cloud workloads amidst rising costs.
**Detailed Description:**
– **Kelsey Hightower’s Perspective on AI:**
– Hightower, an esteemed figure in the tech industry, expresses a critical viewpoint on the current hype surrounding generative AI. He suggests focusing on tangible understandings of software rather than getting swept up in buzzworthy trends.
– He proposes the creation of a glossary to clarify terminology in the tech space, cautioning against the industry’s tendency to rebrand established concepts.
– **Black Box Technologies:**
– Hightower labels generative AIs and large language models (LLMs) as “black boxes,” highlighting the need for transparent understanding rather than blind adoption.
– He references a recent incident involving DeepSeek, indicating that insights from insiders can eventually demystify these technologies.
– **Market Dynamics and AI:**
– The narrative dives into concerns over AI’s potential to impact stock valuations and market excitement, questioning the sustainability of interest if the nuances of AI are revealed.
– **Civo’s New Appliance Launch:**
– Civo’s launch of the FlexCore appliance marks an effort to facilitate private cloud solutions, signaling a shift as enterprises consider moving workloads back from public clouds due to cost pressures.
– According to research commissioned by Civo, a significant proportion of IT leaders expect to increase private cloud investments, emphasizing the growing relevance of cost considerations in cloud decision-making.
– **Future Opportunities:**
– Hightower’s advisory role at Civo includes influencing product direction towards practical applications of their technology, specifically focusing on regions underserved by larger cloud providers.
– He envisions a future where companies can utilize and perhaps monetize excess capacity of their private appliances, broadening the operational flexibility and possibilities within infrastructure security and cloud computing.
Overall, the text presents valuable insights for security, privacy, and compliance professionals by highlighting the need for clear definitions in rapidly evolving technologies like AI and the implications of cloud workload management and cost considerations. The mention of infrastructure developments such as Civo’s FlexCore appliance further underscores potential shifts in cloud strategy that align with governance and compliance needs.