The upcoming KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2024, set to take place in Salt Lake City as Kubernetes celebrates its 10th anniversary while expanding on AI, the role of Open Source, and Kubernetes. With a packed agenda featuring Day Zero co-located events like ArgoCon, Cloud Native + Kubernetes AI Day, and Red Hat’s OpenShift Commons, the conference will explore key themes, including the integration of AI with Kubernetes, the evolving landscape of security in cloud-native environments, and the latest in DevOps and platform engineering. Nutanix and Red Hat are among the major contributors, with a focus on simplifying Kubernetes for enterprise AI and enhancing user experiences. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant community atmosphere, networking opportunities, and insights into cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of cloud-native applications.
As we approach KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2024 in Salt Lake City, a couple of recent preview interviews helped unpack the themes, energy, and community that will be present at this year’s event. A gathering of cloud-native enthusiasts, developers, and technologists from around the world, KubeCon this year is set to showcase an extensive agenda, offering insight into the latest advancements in Kubernetes, AI, DevOps, and open-source innovation.
A Year and Event to Remember
This year’s KubeCon holds a special significance as it celebrates Kubernetes’ 10th anniversary, a testament to its journey and pivotal role in cloud-native architecture. One participant described it as more than just a conference: “It’s a glimpse into the future,” where passionate technologists gather to share ideas and foster innovation. Day Zero (November 12) kicks off with several CNCF-hosted co-located events, including Red Hat OpenShift Commons—a free-to-attend session for anyone eager to learn about AI, DevOps, and security, which will also see extensive customer participation and engagement. Other Day Zero co-located events, providing focused, deep-dive sessions across a range of cloud-native and Kubernetes topics. Developers can explore innovations at AppDeveloperCon and ArgoCon, with a focus on GitOps and automation practices, while BackstageCon will showcase the latest in developer portal technology. Networking enthusiasts can delve into secure, high-performance networking at Cilium + eBPF Day and EnvoyCon, while Istio Day offers insights into service mesh advancements. For AI enthusiasts, Cloud Native + Kubernetes AI Day provides a comprehensive look at AI’s integration with Kubernetes, and Data on Kubernetes Day tackles the intersection of data and Kubernetes architecture. Observability Day and Platform Engineering Day will highlight observability solutions and platform development best practices, while WasmCon covers the emerging role of WebAssembly. Edge computing takes center stage at Kubernetes on Edge Day, and Cloud Native University offers educational resources for cloud-native newcomers. Entrepreneurs will find a community at Cloud Native StartupFest, and new projects take the spotlight at OpenFeature Summit and OpenTofu Day, celebrating the collaborative spirit of the open-source ecosystem.
Key Themes: AI, Security, and DevOps
The overarching themes of AI, security, and DevOps will be prominent throughout the event. AI has taken center stage, and Red Hat is embracing it with OpenShift AI, which integrates RHEL AI and the new Lightspeed feature for enhanced AI-driven virtual assistance within the OpenShift console. As described, “AI and open source go hand-in-hand, providing smaller companies with the opportunity to leverage cutting-edge technology.”
Security will be another focal point, with talks and sessions addressing both infrastructure security and application security, reflecting the critical shift-left approach in DevOps practices. Red Hat’s heavy involvement in this area, particularly with open-source contributions, reinforces the industry’s ongoing commitment to security in an AI-powered future.
Emerging Tools and Technologies
This year’s agenda includes a session lineup that reflects the evolving tools and infrastructure shaping Kubernetes environments. One of the most interesting topics this year is virtualization, a key theme as more organizations consider Kubernetes for modernizing virtualized applications. OpenShift Virtualization, based on KubeVirt and KVM technology, will be showcased as an alternative for companies looking to transition from traditional virtualization models.
Nutanix will be present at KubeCon, where there will be presentations and hands-on opportunities for attendees to explore their solutions firsthand, having been the first in HCI (hyper-converged infrastructure) and with the more recent acquisition of D2IQ. Talking about more than Virtualization, where they made their name, and as Kubernetes adoption continues to grow, especially in enterprise settings, it’s clear that organizations are leveraging Kubernetes for more than traditional containerized applications; it’s becoming essential for on-premise AI applications where data is critical to ROI.
AI’s influence on Kubernetes adoption has accelerated, with companies looking for platforms that bring AI closer to protected data within data centers rather than in public clouds. This underscores the rising trend of centralizing Kubernetes management for efficiency. Many early adopters distributed Kubernetes clusters across teams, leading to chaotic management. Today, central platform engineering teams focus on simplifying Kubernetes for broader use with enhanced user experiences and automated deployments.
Bringing AI to Kubernetes
Kubernetes and cloud-native AI Day will be a prime destination for those looking to understand the convergence of AI and Kubernetes. Attendees can expect discussions on deploying AI models at scale, particularly through sessions on frameworks like TensorFlow, KServe, and Kubeflow. Examples of how Red Hat’s Lightspeed and collaborative AI projects with partners like IBM’s watson x, this event provides a roadmap for leveraging AI in open-source and cloud-native environments.
Insights and Networking
The community aspect of KubeCon can’t be overstated. Both speakers emphasized the value of the “hallway track”—the chance meetings, informal chats, and impromptu connections with peers. As one speaker noted, “It’s the energy of the event…whether you’re an individual contributor or a larger organization, it’s all about community and sharing.” The event’s welcoming environment and hands-on approach encourage newcomers to engage fully, with roughly half of attendees likely to be first-timers.
Licensing and Community Ethics
A notable topic of discussion this year will be open-source licensing. The event will provide a platform to explore different licensing models in response to recent debates, reflecting the delicate balance between monetization and community ethics that open source companies have championed for years.
Our Perspective: AI, Open Source, and Kubernetes
There will be much reflection on the synergy between AI and open source as a transformative force in cloud-native infrastructure. Kubernetes’ role as the backbone of modern applications aligns seamlessly with the increasing adoption of AI, empowering developers to reimagine the scope and scale of their projects.
Much talk will be about whether kubernetes ready for all virtual machine workloads and how you have a cloud-operating model on-premises to build your AI applications. With an overarching discussion of security and governanceof and using open source tools. I also expect the project sustainability discussion and open source licensing / business models to be a huge discussion.
For those attending KubeCon for the first time, it’s advised to plan sessions in advance, especially since popular ones fill up quickly. Engage in the “hallway track,” connect with peers, and embrace the opportunity to contribute to the open-source dialogue shaping the future of cloud-native technology.
As noted, “There’s always a community there…grab some new people, have conversations, and soak up the energy.” KubeCon + CloudNativeCon promises to be a milestone event for the Kubernetes community and a launchpad for the next wave of cloud-native innovations.
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