OUR KEY THEME FOR 2025
The Human Edge
»Finding Your Place in an AI World«
Machines Can Predict—but Humans Can Imagine
Cloud technology has reached a pivotal moment where computers are surpassing human ability in many tasks. Simply optimizing our tech stack isn’t enough. To thrive in the AI era, we must redefine ourselves as not solely a tech industry, but primarily as a service industry.
We’ve moved from the age of wanting the right answers to the age of needing the right questions.
The Business of Humanity is the Business of Purpose
If it’s just “my machines are providing services to your machines”, there is no need for a diversity of providers in this space. The age of AI is not about finding efficiencies: it’s about finding purpose, and expressing that purpose through what you deliver to your customers—from one human to another.
CloudFest 2025 explored humanity in the age of AI across three theme tracks:
- Innovation with Empathy
- Cybersecurity and Networks
- Service is Everything
The internet infrastructure industry’s future success hinges on honing our interpersonal skills to deliver exceptional service that distinguishes us and resonates with customers. Community engagement is pivotal in cultivating these skills and resources. CloudFest helped this community move forward together, ensuring that the future of the Cloud has a heart as well as a brain.
Keywords
#AI #Algorithms #Empathy #Forecasting #Resilience #CustomerRetention #DataManagement #Speed #Security #Hardware #Trust #Partnerships
Daily Themes
Innovation with Empathy
Human-Centric AI
Cloud leaders examined the latest advancements in AI-driven hardware technologies that enhance computational efficiency and capabilities. We should develop and deploy AI to accomplish something, not just for its own sake.
The CloudFest community explored how smarter machines are integrated with human oversight and empathy to deliver superior performance and service. That includes Equitable AI, as service providers ensure that their algorithms aren’t amplifying any all-too-human biases.
Keywords
#AI #GenAI #MachineLearning #BareMetal #Infrastructure #Empathy #Policy #Integrations #Algorithm #Sustainability
Cybersecurity and Networks
Ready for Action
We took a deep dive into cutting-edge cybersecurity strategies and network technologies designed to protect our digital infrastructure from present and future threats.
On this track, CloudFest focused on the critical role of human vigilance and expertise in identifying threats and maintaining secure, resilient networks for your own organization as well as your clients and customers.
Keywords
#Cybersecurity #NetworkCapacity #SaaS #Uptime #DisasterRecovery #HumanFactor #ThreatForecast #HumanFactor
Service is Everything
Solutions with a Human Touch
Thousands of attendees discovered innovative and valuable products and services that delight and engage customers, turning them into your fans and even your advocates.
This set of sessions highlighted the importance of human-centered design and empathetic customer interactions, helping the CloudFest community to create and deliver services that stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
Keywords
#CustomerAcquisition #CustomerRetention #ARPU #Marketing #Sales #Forecasting #ValueAddedServices #Partnerships
Speaking in-person
2025 Highlight Speakers
Karlheinz Brandenburg
Creator of the MP3 Format
Internet Hall-of-Famer Karlheinz Brandenburg created the MP3—the audio-format technology that brought thousands of songs into your pocket, empowered musicians to record in their bedrooms, and made Apple its fortune by making the iPod a viable product.
In “Setting Music Free“, Brandenburg will share the story of how he and his team made it possible to bring music everywhere—and create it anywhere. You’ll also find out what this audio visionary is working on next. This session comes just in time for the 30th anniversary of the MP3.
#Music #MP3 #AudioAudioEngineering #DataDelivery #InternetHistory
Roger Dingledine
Tor Project Co-Founder
Roger Dingledine is co-founder and original developer of the Tor Project, a nonprofit that develops free and open source software to protect people from tracking, censorship, and surveillance online.
Join Dingledine for “The Many Layers of Tor”, a deep dive into the evolution of this key tool. This is where you’ll find out how your organization can align with the principles of democratic cybersecurity, and help ensure that privacy becomes a foundational element of tomorrow’s cloud services.
#InternetFreedom #Cybersecurity #cloudinfrastructure #VPN
Cory Doctorow
Author/Journalist/Activist
Besides his witty and insightful sci-fi, Cory Doctorow helped establish the Open Rights Group for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. He has been at the forefront of the fight for a fairer internet since most of us were using dial-up.
At CloudFest, this acclaimed author, journalist, and activist will explore why the internet seems to suck so much lately for those trying to use it—and what you can do to make things better.
#InternetFreedom #EFF #Cyberpunk #OpenRightsGroup #Enshittification
George Sadowsky
Internet Pioneer
Having installed the first computer in Rwanda, George Sadowsky has helped bring over 50 developing countries online. This Internet Hall-of-Famer has dedicated his life to applying the power of computing to social and economic policy to level the playing field.
In “The War on Information Poverty”, join Sadowsky to discuss the work he has accomplished, how service delivery has changed, and the unexpected ways in which internet service can make the world a better place.
#InformationPoverty #InternetHistory #Education #LevelUp #ServiceDelivery #Hardware
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