API World 2018, held in San Jose, showcased the evolving landscape of API development, emphasizing niche market targeting and the increasing reliance on APIs for business integration and collaboration. The event highlighted the API community's shift towards solving specific business challenges, moving away from general applicability, and underscored the importance of customizable API platforms and event-driven integrations. With over 18,000 APIs available, the focus is on creating quality developer experiences that address business needs, as APIs play a crucial role in enabling digital experiences, driving marketing campaigns, and streamlining operations. The conference also stressed the critical need for enhanced security in API development, as APIs become a preferred attack vector, and encouraged compliance with standards like HIPAA and GDPR. Overall, the industry is fast-paced and dependent on technological advances, with a strong focus on improving connections in a highly connected world.