Matt Hicks, president and CEO of Red Hat underscored the common fear and excitement regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a keynote speech he delivered during the first day of the Red Hat Summit on May 20 in Boston, Massachusetts.
His session highlighted the transformative power of AI, especially as organisations navigate uncertainty regarding its use. He wishes that AI's potential can inspire and bring hope, overcoming the fear and uncertainty associated with its use, especially that the technology does not aim to replace expertise but rather to enhance it.
"Right now, that is exactly where we are with AI: we are in the moment of uncertainty. We have to simultaneously understand that while the fundamentals we know are changing, so many other factors come into play in creating true business value," he said.
Open-source software journey
Remembering how open-source also started with uncertainty, Hicks said many people felt the same way.
"Open-source challenged how software is created. It removed barriers that define proprietary software. It added a new factor around collaboration," he said.
Despite initial fears, resistance, ridicule, and attacks towards open-sourcing, Hicks said that last year, five billion contributions were made through open source.
"Where others saw fear and disruption, I saw potential and millions of others. That is exactly what we are experiencing with AI right now. We have shaped this world over the decades, and the rules are changing. While that can be scary and disruptive, its potential is also undeniable," Hicks added.
Key announcements
Aside from Hicks' keynote, Red Hat has also unveiled new products and enhancements during the summit, including:
1. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 with Supercharged Intelligence and Security Across Hybrid Environments
Red Hat introduced Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, the evolution of the enterprise Linux platform, and the transformative power of AI.
2. Red Hat Unlocks Generative AI for Any Model and Any Accelerator Across the Hybrid Cloud with Red Hat AI Inference Server
Red Hat announced Red Hat AI Inference Server to help democratise generative AI across the hybrid cloud.
3. llm-d Community
Red Hat has unveiled llm-d, a new open source project that answers the most crucial need of generative AI’s future: Inference at scale.
4. Red Hat optimises Red Hat AI
Red Hat AI Inference Server, Red Hat AI third-party validated models and the integration of Llama Stack and Model Context Protocol APIs, and updates across the Red Hat AI portfolio aim to advance the capabilities organisations need to accelerate AI adoption.
5. AI-Powered Management and Extends Container-Native Reach for Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Enhanced features to manage Red Hat Enterprise Linux helps enhance strategic IT decision-making with AI-powered package recommendations andoptimisedd planning capabilities for Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
6. Red Hat OpenShift Lightspeed
Red Hat OpenShift Lightspeed, a generative AI-based virtual assistant integrated into Red Hat OpenShift, is now generally available to enhance how users interact with and manage their application platform deployments across the hybrid cloud.
7. Red Hat Advanced Developer Suite
Red Hat Advanced Developer Suite, a new addition to Red Hat OpenShift, aim to improve developer productivity and application security with enhancements to speed the adoption of Red Hat AI technologies.
Red Hat Summit
Participants of the summit had the chance to shape conversations around open cloud technology and digital transformation through:
- Keynotes delivered by Red Hat's leadership, where they have provided announcement overviews and addressed key customer challenges.
- Live demonstrations and hands-on instructor-led labs
- Roundtable discussions with APAC leaders and customers helped understand and address business challenges.
Red Hat hosted the Red Hat Summit, an event that brought together technology leaders, customers, and partners to shape the future of Enterprise AI. The discussions, announcements, and collaborations at the summit are expected to have a significant impact on the direction and development of AI in the enterprise sector.
