The Register: ATMs in the Amazon: Edge is crossing its tipping point, says SUSE CTO

Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/18/suse_cto_interview/
Source: The Register
Title: ATMs in the Amazon: Edge is crossing its tipping point, says SUSE CTO

Feedly Summary: Sending Kubernetes and AI into orbit as devices move from ‘glorified sensors’ to ‘decision-making’
SUSECON 2025 Edge technology is finally past the tipping point thanks to inferencing and AI, according to SUSE CTO Brent Schroeder.…

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text discusses SUSE’s advancements in edge computing and AI, highlighting the transformation in how edge devices can perform critical workloads through inferencing. It also addresses SUSE’s strategic pivot from OpenStack to Kubernetes, emphasizing flexibility and customer choice in a geopolitical landscape increasingly wary of dependency on US tech giants.

Detailed Description:

– **Edge Technology & AI**: SUSE’s CTO, Brent Schroeder, explains that edge computing has reached a critical point, primarily due to the introduction of AI and inferencing capabilities. This technology enables edge devices to make real-time decisions, moving beyond mere data collection.

– **Tipping Points**:
– The initial tipping point for edge technology involved the rise of compact computing systems, exemplified by devices like the Raspberry Pi and ARM architecture.
– The second tipping point is the integration of inferencing capabilities, allowing for rapid decision-making directly on edge devices.

– **SUSE’s Position**:
– SUSE’s software is widely used in various applications, including critical systems such as satellites and ATMs in remote locations.
– Schroeder indicates that SUSE’s focus on Kubernetes over OpenStack reflects a strategic push towards more efficient, cloud-native applications that can easily be updated.

– **Geopolitical Context**:
– The text touches on the geopolitical climate influencing the tech industry, particularly the growing hesitation in Europe to depend on US technology providers. SUSE, being a European company, is uniquely positioned to leverage this discomfort.

– **Enterprise Container Management (ECM)**:
– SUSE is making strides in Enterprise Container Management, which is seen as a significant innovation in cloud-native solutions. This is part of the company’s broader strategy toward Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery models, enhancing customer flexibility.

– **Customer Choices**:
– The emphasis on providing customers with choices reflects SUSE’s commitment to meet diverse consumption preferences, which is critical in today’s dynamic tech environment.

Overall, this text illustrates the convergence of edge computing and AI, as well as the strategic directions taken by SUSE in response to both technological innovations and shifting market dynamics, making it highly relevant for professionals focused on AI, cloud computing, and infrastructure security.