At Dynatrace's Perform 2023 conference, Kelsey Hightower and Andreas Grabner discussed the evolving role of AI in cloud environments and its impact on IT culture. Hightower emphasized the importance of focusing on fundamentals to manage the constant influx of new technologies, drawing parallels between modern observability and ancient practices of vigilance. He argued that while technology can aid humans, it cannot replace personal connections and insights. Hightower also highlighted the necessity of establishing beneficial boundaries in tech environments, such as those provided by Kubernetes, to avoid overwhelming developers with limitless options. He suggested that encoding operational best practices into platforms can save future developers from having to relearn expertise. Furthermore, Hightower noted that the convergence of roles like SRE, security, and performance engineering into data science reflects the growing importance of data in modern IT. He concluded by proposing that AI advancements should set new standards for human tasks, allowing people to focus on creativity and relationship-building rather than routine activities like writing business emails.