Cloud

AWS re:Invent 2025 keynotes felt like AWS repeating the same move they pulled 15 years ago—democratizing something that used to be gated behind massive budgets and specialized teams. This time it’s AI. I published a full write-up on Ippon’s blog breaking down the core thread running through the keynote: scale as the prerequisite for “access,” abundance via custom silicon (Trainium), and the shift from “AI as a feature” to “AI as a production capability.” ...

We filmed this episode of Data Pour at People’s Market in Myers Park, Charlotte—grabbed drinks, hit record, and got into the kind of conversation that happens when two people who grew up in “big data” start comparing notes on where AI is actually headed. Funny thing is—this bottle shop closed down a week after we filmed. Perfect metaphor for tech, honestly: everything feels stable until it isn’t. Why James James Barney is one of my closest friends and mentors. I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s been the person I go to when I want an AI take that isn’t hype and isn’t fear—just reality. ...

I was invited to speak at UNC Charlotte recently to the computer science programs, and I approached the session, Cracking the Cloud, with a very specific goal: to give students a realistic, actionable way to stand out in a job market that’s becoming more competitive every year. Companies are slowing early-career hiring. AI is reshaping workflows. Expectations for junior talent are rising, not shrinking. Students can sense this shift, but many don’t know what to do with that reality. That’s where the conversation begins. ...

I recently stepped into the role of host for Ippon’s Data Pour series, but before I officially took over, our CTO, Andy Lamora, sat me down at Wooden Robot Brewery in Charlotte and interviewed me on camera. It was a great atmosphere — good beer, good weather — and then a handful of cameras appeared, all pointed directly at me. I’m still getting used to public speaking, so the entire setup felt a little awkward. Beer helps, but only so much. ...