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
DataBahn.ai Announces New Chief Security and Strategy Officer and Two New Sales Leaders » Dallas Innovates
Left to right: Preston Wood, Payman Faed, and Trevor Crompton [Photos: DataBahn]
DataBahn.ai has appointed Preston Wood as chief security and strategy officer of the Dallas-based provider of a security-native data pipeline platform built for modern enterprise workloads.
Wood brings 25 years of leadership experience in cybersecurity to his new role. He will help drive DataBahn’s mission to transform security data management and enable intelligent automation across global enterprises, the company said.
“I’ve always believed that security and IT teams need the right data, at the right time—enriched with context and real-time analytics—to make smarter, faster decisions,” Wood said in a statement. “DataBahn’s platform is uniquely positioned to solve persistent challenges in data discovery, ingestion, and real-time visibility. I’m excited to join a team so deeply focused on customer success and innovation, and I look forward to helping advance DataBahn’s mission to deliver secure, intelligent, and highly scalable data solutions.”
Wood has served as a three-time chief information security officer and two-time chief technology officer at major financial institutions, including Zions Bancorporation, Bank of the West, and City National Bank. The company said that Wood is known for aligning security and technology strategies with business goals, and he has led the development of robust security frameworks, real-time threat detection programs, and advanced analytics initiatives.
At DataBahn.ai, Wood will partner with engineering and product teams to expand the platform’s strategic vision and deepen customer relationships, the company said.
Wood will lead the development of next-generation solutions, such as intelligent, AI-powered Data Broker workflows, that bring automation, context, and precision to enterprise-scale data orchestration, the company said. DataBahn said that Wood will draw on his dual experience as CISO and CTO in serving a dual role: evangelizing DataBahn’s innovation to enterprise customers while channeling next-generation customer requirements back into the product roadmap.
Sales leadership additions
In addition to Wood, DataBahn.ai said it strengthened its go-to-market capabilities with two key sales leadership appointments.
Payman Faed joins as SVP of sales, West, bringing over 15 years of enterprise cybersecurity sales and leadership experience. He has held senior roles at leading MDR and SIEM providers, including Lumifi and Castra. Faed is recognized for building high-performing teams and scaling partner-first go-to-market strategies, the company said.
At DataBahn, Faed will oversee strategic accounts across the Western U.S., accelerate national expansion, and lead a team of account executives focused on customer value and revenue growth.
Trevor Crompton has been appointed vice president of sales, EMEA. Crompton has more than 30 years in the IT industry—nearly half spent building and leading startup organizations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa—and he brings deep expertise in helping security professionals gain visibility into complex data environments.
At DataBahn.ai, Crompton will lead the company’s expansion in EMEA, helping customers address growing data complexity while reducing storage costs and simplifying operations.
“With the addition of Preston, Payman, and Trevor, we’re assembling a powerhouse leadership team that combines technical excellence, deep customer empathy, and proven go-to-market execution,” Nanda Santhana, co-founder and CEO of DataBahn.ai, said in a statement. “Their collective experience across security, data management, and global GTM strategy positions us to accelerate our growth and deliver even greater value to enterprises worldwide.”
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Tools & Platforms
Sheriff T.K. Waters discusses AI facial recognition technology use – Action News Jax
Tools & Platforms
California IT Leaders to Talk AI, Security and More at State of Technology
On Aug. 7, IT leaders from across the California state enterprise will gather to talk tech at the annual State of Technology — California Industry Forum.
The event will feature several California tech leaders, including:
The one-day event will cover subjects including procurement, innovation, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Joe Morris, chief innovation officer for the Center for Digital Government*, will give a breakdown of the California budget.
Industry Insider — California members will receive a discount on registration. Check-in begins at 12:30 p.m., and the event ends at 5:15 p.m. The event will take place at Hilton Sacramento Arden West. For questions or registration, contact Brad Loebs.
*The Center for Digital Government is part of e.Republic, Industry Insider — California’s parent company.
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