Asynchronous & Unreliable - Conversations on The Edge of Software

Anne Currie

Welcome to Asynchronous and Unreliable, the new weekly podcast where we discuss the latest and most fascinating ideas in: software engineering, AI, management, leadership and communications, efficiency, operations, clouds, hyperscaling, resilience and sustainability. Our host is Anne Currie, tech veteran, co-author of O'Reilly's Building Green Software (on building cheaper and more flexible systems ready for the energy transition), The Cloud Native Attitude (on industry embrace of fast flow), and the science fiction Panopticon series (on killer robots in space, amongst other topics). Expect animated, friendly, and lighthearted discussions with some of the most renowned & interesting thinkers and practitioners in technology.  To find out about just a few of our amazing guests in 2026, visit our website.

  1. 5d ago

    Ep 17: How Could AI Write Software Much Better Than Humans? With Jon Berger

    The Future of Software: Insights from Experience Discover how seasoned experts (aka old people in computer years) predict the evolution of software development over the next decade, focusing on #AI's transformative role, hardware implications, and the potential for machine-only software. In this episode: Reflection on recent episodes discussing AI and code generation and what they imply for the futureThe challenge of maintaining softwareThe shift from human to AI-centric code creation and the implications for trust and reliabilityHow hardware limitations and technological advances will shape software design and optimizationThe concept of "wet code" — intentionally un-Dry, performance-optimized, AI-generated code that forgoes human maintainabilityThe potential for machine code to replace high-level programming languages entirelyThe evolution from microservices as team management tools to pure operational resilience componentsThe revolutionary impact of AI training on code creation, emphasizing self-learning models akin to AlphaGoThe concept of unikernels and the radical idea of single-kernel systems replacing traditional OS structuresThe importance of shifting from maintainable code by humans to trust-based, AI-driven code systems This episode explores paradigm-shifting ideas about the core foundation of software and hardware in a future where AI rewrites the very fabric of code creation and system design. Transcript

  2. Jul 6

    Ep 16: Could YOU Recreate Amazon S3 At Home With Claude?? With Justin Cormack

    A wild ride through Justin Cormack's attempts to build really hard stuff using AI. Did he recreate Amazon s3 in his back bedroom in a couple of weeks? A fun dive into the fascinating world of AI-assisted software development, Unikernels, and the future of programming languages, with Justin Cormack. Justin was the CTO of Docker for a decade, is one of the founders of Unikernels and is a leading figure in cloud-native and systems programming. In this episode, Anne hears all about his current experiments with building big, proper systems code using AI. We also hear about his thoughts on the future of languages. Does Rust have it nailed or might there be something better coming along? Should we really have coding languages at all anymore? In this episode we hear about: Justin's recent experiments with AI-generated code and how it accelerates complex software creationThe concept of unikernels and how they differ from traditional operating systemsChallenges and opportunities in building cloud-native and AI-optimized software systems - good, hard, scaleable softwareThe role of programming languages like Rust, Zig, and emerging trends in AI-friendly languagesJustin's newsletter  #Nix, #RustLang, #AI

  3. Jun 29

    Ep 15: How Are Systems Changing To Improve Operational Efficiency & Resilience? With Holly Cummins

    In another friendly conversation, Anne and Holly Cummins of IBM discuss IBM's cloud native platform Quarkus and why it is so, so important right now. You've got to be able to turn it off and on again for operatioal efficiency, to take any advantage of the cloud and - vitally - for security because in the new world, patches have to be applied rapidly. Anne and Holly, Java champion, explore the evolution of Java from its initial flexible, runtime-centric design to a modern cloud-native, operationally efficient platform. Holly shares insights into how the shift to immutable, start-up friendly environments like Quarkus is transforming how we build and deploy Java applications in the era of cloud computing, AI, and sustainability. #Java #Javasoftware #security #operationalefficiency #ai #podcast Transcript

  4. Jun 22

    Ep 14: How Is Software Security Changing to Handle AI & Mythos? With Adrian Mouat

    In this episode, Anne and industry expert Adrian Mouat of security firm Chainguard and author of O'Reilly's Using Docker discuss the "crazy" rapid evolution of AI, its implications for cybersecurity, the future of software development, and the urgent need for adaptive security practices. They also discuss the brand new Athena coalition for accelerating patches against vulnerabilities in the face of AI-driven attacks Main Topics: The accelerating pace of vulnerabilities and exploitations in cybersecurityThe impact of AI on the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)Mythos and the potential existential threats posed by advanced language modelsThe influence of science fiction themes on real-world AI developmentPractical security measures: CI/CD, sandboxing, API token management, and blast radius reductionEmerging industry responses: Project Athena and AI security coalitions Transcript #AI #cybersecurity #cloudnative #software

  5. Jun 15

    Ep 13: What Does Quality Mean for AI Generated Products? With Yanqing Cheng

    How Do We Make AI-Generated Code Good? Anne and Yanqing Cheng, founder of AI startup Tollens.ai, explore the future of software quality, AI management, and organizational trust. Discover how holistic engineering management, trust, and organizational dynamics influence AI and software quality. Key Topics The evolving definition of quality in AI-generated softwareTollens.ai's approach as an engineering management consultantThe importance of holistic management and decision-makingHow AI tools can aid managers and engineers in complex decisionsChallenges of trust, psychological safety, and organizational dynamics in AI deploymentThe impact of AI on software productivity and the future of codingManaging bottlenecks in AI-powered engineering workflowsStrategies for capturing and leveraging organizational knowledgeThe gradual transition to AI-native companies and the pace of changePractical tips for integrating AI into daily workflows to reduce friction transcript Blue Tuxedo Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: 3XRM21XFMMGPO1PF

  6. Jun 8

    Ep 12: How Can We Trust AI To Build Software? With Jon Berger

    ShownotesTitle: Navigating AI's Impact on Software Development and Trust O'Reilly author Anne Currie and Mission Critical software expert Jon Berger discuss the question of the moment: how can we entrust AI with the software that underpins everything? Join Anne and Jon as they explore real experiments, strategic implications, and practical steps for leaders in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Main Topics: The future of AI in software engineering: rapid development and risk managementLeadership strategies for integrating AI with team dynamics and trustFundamental principles in software and life that AI may reshapePractical ways to start using AI safely in development cyclesThe importance of diversified oversight and multiple 'oracles' in AI deployment In this episode: How AI is changing the long-term landscape of human versus machine-built softwareWhy understanding your unique business context matters in adopting AI toolsThe significance of experimenting with low-risk AI integrations like code review and testingThe evolving concept of trust in AI-generated code and processesStrategic leadership tips: balancing risks, risks awareness, and fostering innovation Timestamps:  00:00 - Welcome and episode overview on AI's influence on software creation 01:22 - Transition from human-only to AI-assisted software engineering 02:48 - The importance of understanding your context as a leader 03:46 - Considerations for teams experimenting with AI in development 04:19 - Risks and opportunities in AI-driven software processes 05:50 - How speed and scale shape business decisions in AI-enabled environments 07:12 - The role of leadership in managing AI adoption and team dynamics 08:37 - Critical thinking about AI's impact on team sizes and productivity 10:30 - Market-driven decisions: layoffs and strategic AI integration 12:15 - Choosing trustworthy sources and multiple perspectives ("oracles") 13:55 - Balancing risk-taking and risk mitigation among teams 15:22 - Protect the future versus change the future in tech strategies 16:02 - Assessing environment and risk: high-stakes vs low-stakes AI applications 17:11 - Supporting existing systems with AI: deployment, testing, and feedback loops 19:22 - Trust, testing, and automation in the software lifecycle 21:23 - The changing nature of AI models and managing their variability 22:26 - The importance of agility and adaptability in a fast-changing AI landscape 23:05 - Valuing diverse team roles, including skeptics and early adopters 27:28 - Embracing AI as a black box: focusing on outcomes rather than process transparency 30:56 - Revisiting core principles of system resilience in an AI world 31:52 - How AI shifts decision-making trade-offs and process scaling 32:24 - Moving forward with trust: aligning business goals with AI capabilities 33:22 - Starting small: low-risk AI applications in testing and review 36:19 - Building confidence with modular, trustable AI-driven processes 39:38 - Actionable strategies for leaders: experiment, assess, and iterate safely Note: For further insights into managing AI in software development, stay tuned for upcoming episodes on security, testing, and team leadership adaptations. Full transcript

  7. Jun 1

    Ep 11: How Did We Write an O'Reilly Tech Book? With Sara Bergman

    Building Green Software: Insights from the Authors or How To Write an O'Reilly Book This episode features Anne Currie and Sara Bergman discussing the journey of writing Building Green Software, the lessons learned, and the ongoing impact of eco-conscious software development in industry and academia. They share behind-the-scenes insights, the importance of collaboration, and practical advice for authors. Key Topics: The origin story and motivation behind Building Green SoftwareThe collaborative process of co-authoring a technical bookNavigating publishing logistics, contracts, and setting deadlinesThe significance of translating technical work into global accessibilityManaging co-authorship across different languages and cultural backgroundsThe impact of industry events like QCon in shaping publication timelinesPost-publication reflections: successes, challenges, and future updatesThe role of projects like the Green Software Foundation in shaping the book’s contentLessons learned about contractual liability and company formation for authorsThe balance between technical rigor, storytelling, and engaging communication in technical writing Shownotes and transcript #sustainability #greensoftware #writing #distributedsystems #technology #softwareengineering #oreilly #buildinggreensoftware #publishing

  8. May 25

    Ep 10: What Is Platform Engineering and how will it work in an AI world? With Paula Kennedy

    ShownotesWhat Is Platform Engineering and how will it work in an AI world? An In-Depth Conversation with Paula Kennedy In this episode, Anne Currie chats with old friend and colleague Paula Kennedy, COO of platform engineering startup Syntasso about the fundamentals of platform engineering, its evolution, and its impact on organizations of all sizes. They explore how platform engineering helps manage the growing cognitive load in modern software development and operational practices. This episode is a great companion to episode 3 - Niki Manoledaki's on platform engineering at Grafana Labs Key Topics Covered: The origins and definition of platform engineering, tracing back to the earliest days of software developmentHow platform engineering bridges the gap between code creation and deployment infrastructureThe role of platform teams as enablers and marketplace providers within organizationsOwnership, responsibility, and the importance of platform as a product mindsetThe impact of AI on platform engineering, automation, and operational efficiencyAvoiding bottlenecks: scaling platform capabilities to meet rising code generation and operational demandsPractical insights into managing complexity, security, and costs across organization-wide platformsTimestamps: (0:00) – Introduction to platform engineering and tools for easy editing of recordings(3:00) – Defining platform engineering as the space between code and infrastructure(6:00) – The evolution from traditional IT to DevOps and modern platform teams(9:00) – How cognitive load and responsibility are distributed across teams(12:00) – Historical perspective: from separate dev and ops teams to integrated platforms(15:00) – The role of ownership and product mindset in platform success(20:00) – The marketplace model for platform services, enabling internal contribution(23:00) – The importance of clear boundaries and ownership akin to cloud provider models(28:00) – The influence of AI and agents on future platform strategies(36:00) – Recognizing system bottlenecks and scaling horizontally as a key challenge(37:00) – The timeless nature of operational principles and organizational constraints For transcript

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Welcome to Asynchronous and Unreliable, the new weekly podcast where we discuss the latest and most fascinating ideas in: software engineering, AI, management, leadership and communications, efficiency, operations, clouds, hyperscaling, resilience and sustainability. Our host is Anne Currie, tech veteran, co-author of O'Reilly's Building Green Software (on building cheaper and more flexible systems ready for the energy transition), The Cloud Native Attitude (on industry embrace of fast flow), and the science fiction Panopticon series (on killer robots in space, amongst other topics). Expect animated, friendly, and lighthearted discussions with some of the most renowned & interesting thinkers and practitioners in technology.  To find out about just a few of our amazing guests in 2026, visit our website.

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