Tools & Platforms
A Conference Where Platforms Couldn’t Escape the AI Hype
I Was recently invited to participate in an analyst panel at PlatformCon 25 in New York City. The conference was not huge, but still delivered impact and featured a mix of vendor booths ranging from industry giants like Google to ambitious startups. The audience was a blend of platform professionals from industries as diverse as healthcare, professional sports, and video gaming. The featured guest speaker was engineer Kelsey Hightower.
Here are my key takeaways from the event:
Don’t Be Afraid To Look Under The Hood of AI
Hightower kicked off the day with a compelling talk which challenged attendees to critically evaluate AI and its capabilities. He emphasized the importance of viewing AI as another piece of technology —there’s nothing mystical about it. Hightower encouraged the audience to dig into the details and not simply buy into the hype.
Hightower also touched on how the rise of technologies such as Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol has shifted corporate attitudes. For decades, companies maintained strict control over their internal resources, but now many are rushing to API-enable their entire ecosystems with little caution. He posed a thought-provoking question: “Imagine if they had done this 10 years ago—what could have been accomplished?”
If you’re curious to learn more about AI, MCP and its implications, refer to this blog.
The Tension Between Developers, Operations, And Platform Teams Is Real
One of the liveliest discussions at the conference centered around the persistent struggles between developers, operations teams, and platform engineers. During the Developer Productivity roundtable, which I had the honor of joining alongside other fellow industry analysts, this tension was laid bare.
Far from a dry technical discussion, the session felt more like group therapy for platform leaders. Many attendees shared candid stories about the tug-of-war between developers seeking speed and agility, and platform engineers urging patience and structure. It’s clear that the question of whether platform engineering can fully resolve this dynamic is still open.
Several actionable strategies emerged during the conversation:
- Adopt a “platform as a product” approach. Treat your platform as a product designed to serve your internal stakeholders. Read this report for more insights.
- Set clear expectations. When building a platform, align all stakeholders from the outset. Refer to my report for practical guidance.
- Define common goals based on value streams. Establish shared objectives to bridge the gap between teams. Check out this webinar for actionable advice.
The tension may never fully disappear, but fostering collaboration and setting shared goals can help mitigate the friction.
Final Thoughts
PlatformCon 25 offered a unique window into the evolving world of platform engineering set against the backdrop of AI’s growing influence.
Whether you’re a developer, an operations leader, or a platform engineer, one thing is clear: the platform landscape is shifting rapidly, and AI is playing a central role.
Clients of Forrester that have questions on developer platforms or portals are welcome to request an inquiry or guidance session with me.
Tools & Platforms
Virginia 911 call center implements AI technology to allow dispatchers to focus on emergency calls – KTVB
July 11, 2025
SEOUL – A wave of artificial intelligence certifications has flooded the market in South Korea over the past two years.
But according to government data, most of these tests exist only on paper, and have never been used by a single person.
As of Wednesday, there were 505 privately issued AI-related certifications registered with the Korea Research Institute for Professional Education and Training, a state-funded body under the Prime Minister’s Office.
This is nearly five times the number recorded in 2022, before tools like ChatGPT captured global attention. But more than 90 percent of those certifications had zero test-takers as of late last year, the institute’s own data shows.
Many of the credentials are loosely tied to artificial intelligence in name only. Among recent additions are titles like “AI Brain Fitness Coach,” “AI Art Storybook Author,” and “AI Trainer,” which often have no connection to real AI technology.
KT’s AICE is South Korea’s only nationally accredited AI certification, offering five levels of exams that assess real-world AI understanding and skills, from block coding for elementary students to Python-based modeling for professionals. PHOTO: KT/THE KOREA HERALD
Only one of the 505 AI-related certifications — KT’s AICE exam — has received official recognition from the South Korean government. The rest have been registered by individuals, companies, or private organizations, with no independent oversight or quality control.
In 2024, just 36 of these certifications held any kind of exam. Only two had more than 1,000 people apply. Fourteen had a perfect 100 percent pass rate. And 20 were removed from the registry that same year.
For test organizers, the appeal is often financial. One popular certification that attracted around 500 candidates last year charged up to 150,000 won ($110) per person, including test fees and course materials. The content reportedly consisted of basic instructions on how to use existing tools like ChatGPT or Stable Diffusion. Some issuers even promote these credentials as qualifications to teach AI to students or the general public.
The people signing up tend to be those anxious about keeping up in an AI-driven world. A survey released this week by education firm Eduwill found that among 391 South Koreans in their 20s to 50s, 39.1 percent said they planned to earn an AI certificate to prepare for the digital future. Others (27.6 percent) said they were taking online AI courses or learning how to use automation tools like Notion AI.
Industry insiders warn that most of these certificates hold little value in the job market. A local AI industry official told The Korea Herald that these credentials are often “window dressing” for resumes.
“Most private AI certifications aren’t taken seriously by hiring managers,” he said. “Even for non-technical jobs like communications or marketing, what matters more is whether someone actually understands the AI space. That can’t be faked with a certificate.”
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Microsoft is launching a $4 billion initiative to train 20 million people in artificial intelligence skills through a new global program called Elevate. The effort, announced by company President Brad Smith, is part of Microsoft’s commitment to “put people first” as AI becomes more integrated into work and education.
The tech titan described the program as a centralized platform for its technology support, donations, and training across schools, colleges, and nonprofits. Through the Elevate Academy, it plans to deliver AI literacy at scale, including offerings like “Hour of AI” and partnerships with educators and labor unions.
A unified platform for Microsoft’s AI training
Microsoft Elevate consolidates the company’s nonprofit and education initiatives into a single operational framework, replacing both its Philanthropies division and Tech for Social Impact team. It combines funding, cloud infrastructure, and AI tools to expand access to training and technology.
The $4 billion will be allocated over five years through a mix of grants, software, and computing resources for K–12 schools, community colleges, and nonprofit organizations worldwide.
Massive training effort for in-demand AI credentials
As part of its credentialing plan, Microsoft is introducing the Elevate Academy, a program to reach millions of learners in just two years. It will offer structured learning across a spectrum of competencies, from digital basics to advanced technical instruction.
Course content will run through LinkedIn Learning and GitHub, two platforms already used within professional and developer communities.
The academy serves as a centerpiece delivery channel, combining investment and infrastructure with partnerships and events to help learners earn industry-recognized certifications.
National and local partners help execute large-scale rollout
Microsoft is working with education nonprofits, labor groups, and government bodies to scale rollout..
“Hour of AI,” developed with Code.org, introduces younger students to foundational concepts through short-form instruction. A summer skilling series extends access outside the school year.
Labor unions are also involved in workforce development, including the National Academy for AI Instruction and courses across the building trades. In Germany, Microsoft is partnering with North Rhine-Westphalia for better regional programs.
Aligning training with public and institutional standards
To support policy alignment, Microsoft is working with public agencies to integrate AI skills into national education systems. It has also partnered with the United Nations, the Vatican, and academic institutions to promote responsible use and ethical standards in AI learning.
These collaborations build on Microsoft’s long-standing involvement in digital literacy and public education initiatives, now carried forward under Elevate’s global scope.
Technology with purpose, training with intent
Microsoft maintains that technology should augment human potential rather than replace it. Elevate reflects that view by focusing on skills amplifying judgment, creativity, and contribution.
Work, the company argues, is deeply tied to identity and dignity, a principle it says must guide how artificial intelligence is developed and deployed. Elevate carries that outlook forward, linking digital learning to values about the role of work in people’s lives.
Another way Microsoft is supporting AI training is by giving $12.5 million in funding to the National Academy for AI Instruction, which the American Federation of Teachers is launching this fall.
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