The text discusses cloud functions, specifically focusing on Netlify Functions. It explains that cloud functions are an essential component of the JAMstack (Javascript, APIs and Markup) and provides examples of technologies like Gatsby, Next.js, and tools that leverage CDNs to serve pre-compiled HTML pages. The main benefits of using cloud functions include running code close to clients for minimizing latency and protecting origin servers from being flooded with traffic. The text also delves into the use of Mux's Signed URLs feature, which requires a token generated on the server when the playback URL is requested from a player. It provides step-by-step instructions on how to create signed urls for playback using Netlify Functions and Mux Node SDK. The process involves creating a module to generate a signing token, setting up a Netlify project, connecting it to GitHub, setting environment variables, testing in development, deploying the function, and restricting access to authorized users. Lastly, the text mentions that the author will be attending JAMstack Conf 2019 in San Francisco and invites readers to get in touch or meet them at the conference if they are using Netlify Cloud Functions or other JAMStack technologies.