Data platforms are being reshaped by the transformative potential of generative AI and large language models. The battle for the next data platform is well underway, a subject SiliconANGLE and theCUBE has been closely tracking.

Integrating AI with data platforms is set to enable more efficient and scalable solutions, which will allow organizations to leverage data assets more effectively. That integration is a critical factor in driving innovation and maintaining competitive advantage in the industry, which highlights the importance of a developer-first approach in the evolution of data platforms, according to theCUBE Research Executive Analyst John Furrier.

“Developers are becoming the new consumers, and their preferences will significantly influence the adoption of new technologies,” Furrier said. “This shift necessitates a focus on creating platforms that are not only secure, but also enable developers to build and innovate more freely.”

Drawing the battle lines and evaluating the next data platform will be of key focus during the Supercloud 7: Get Ready for the Next Data Platform event from July 30-31. The editorial event will study what Furrier referred to as a revolutionary shift in the cybersecurity and data platform landscape, driven by the integration of AI, cloud technologies and developer-centric approaches.

Expert guests on theCUBE will include Ali Ghodsi, co-founder and chief executive officer of Databricks Inc.; Anil Madan, senior vice president of cloud and data platforms at Walmart Global Tech; Jeff Denworth, co-founder of Vast Data Inc.; and Dipti Borkar, vice president and general manager at Microsoft Corp.

The opportunities for innovation will be explored by Furrier, Dave Vellante, chief analyst at theCUBE Research, and a full team of analysts at theCUBE Research. Join theCUBE from July 30-31 for our coverage of the Supercloud 7: Get Ready for the Next Data Platform event, live on theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio.

Check out what’s in store for theCUBE’s coverage of the Supercloud 7 event:

Landscape has evolved around the next data platform

It’s become clear over the past year that generative AI is revolutionizing the landscape around technology. That’s not expected to slow down anytime soon, according to an October 2023 report from International Data Corp.

“Spending, which includes [generative AI] software as well as related infrastructure hardware and IT/business services, is expected to reach $143 billion in 2027 with a compound annual growth rate of 73.3% over the 2023-2027 forecast period,” the report reads.

The past months have also seen various companies map out their plans when it comes to determining the role of infrastructure in supporting AI-native environments. In June, Informatica Inc. rolled out new integrations for Databricks Inc.’s cloud data platform, intended to help joint customers process business information more efficiently.

Smaller companies have sought to carve out their piece of the landscape too. Tinybird Inc. announced in June it had raised $30 million in funding for its real-time data platform.

Looking ahead, it’s becoming clear that the future of data platforms for cloud and generative AI will be determined by several key factors, according to Furrier. Data as a proprietary asset is set to become increasingly valuable as a proprietary asset for companies, especially when it comes to generative AI.

“Programmable data will become important as we see more ‘programming with data’ to enable faster and more effective use of large language models and other AI systems. This approach will allow organizations to operate at a larger scale and with greater capabilities,” Furrier said.

The value in data platforms is shifting

Previous research on theCUBE defined the next data platform as being “Uber for everyone,” referring to software-based systems that enable a digital representation of a business. In May, theCUBE highlighted Blue Yonder Group Inc., a builder of digital supply chain management solutions, as an emerging example of intelligent data applications.

The big takeaway is that as customers try to “get AI right,” there’s an increasingly important need to rationalize siloed data, according to Vellante. While data practitioners could put all their data eggs into a single platform basket, that’s proving impractical.

“As such, firms are moving to an open model where they maintain control of their data and can bring any compute engine to any of their data. While compelling, the capabilities to govern open data across an entire estate remain immature,” Vellante said. “Regardless, the move toward open table formats is gaining traction and the point of control in the data platform wars is shifting from the database to the governance catalog.”

As data platforms evolve, they’re increasingly seen as tools for analytic systems to both take action and to drive business outcomes, Vellante added. Due to the fact that catalogs are becoming freely available, the value in data platforms is also shifting.

“[The shift is] toward tool chains to enable a new breed of intelligence applications that leverage the governance catalog to combine all types of data and analytics, while preserving open access,” Vellante said.

Several firms are at the forefront of these trends, including Snowflake Inc. and Databricks Inc., as well as the hyperscale cloud firms and their respective ecosystem partners.

“The battle for the next data platform is both technical and philosophical, and Supercloud 7 is pleased to further the thinking on this important topic,” Vellante said.

The future of AI infrastructure and the rise of the intelligent data platform will be the main focus of the Supercloud 7 event. TheCUBE will provide full coverage of the event while providing analyst-driven commentary. You can follow theCUBE’s wall-to-wall coverage for firsthand insights.

TheCUBE event livestream

Don’t miss theCUBE’s coverage of the Supercloud 7: Get Ready for the Next Data Platform event from July 30-31. Plus, you can watch theCUBE’s event coverage on-demand after the live event.

How to watch theCUBE interviews

We offer you various ways to watch theCUBE’s coverage of the Supercloud 7: Get Ready for the Next Data Platform event, including theCUBE’s dedicated website and YouTube channel. You can also get all the coverage from this year’s events on SiliconANGLE.

TheCUBE Insights podcast

SiliconANGLE also has podcasts available of archived interview sessions, available on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify, which you can enjoy while on the go.

SiliconANGLE also has analyst deep dives in our Breaking Analysis podcast, available on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify.

Guests

During the Supercloud 7: Get Ready for the Next Data Platform event, theCUBE analysts will talk with industry professionals about the battle for the next data platform and what comes next.

Image: SiliconANGLE