About
AI is reshaping the DevOps landscape, influencing how software is developed, tested, and deployed. While technical skills remain essential, the ability to adapt, stay curious, and embrace new ways of working is becoming just as critical. As AI tools automate tasks and optimize workflows, how can DevOps professionals ensure they remain relevant and continue to grow in their careers? This session goes beyond technical skills, focusing on the mindset shifts and adaptability needed to thrive in an AI-driven DevOps environment.

Join our panel of experienced technology leaders and DevOps professionals as they discuss the evolving role of AI in development, testing, and operations. Learn practical strategies for staying ahead in your career, building adaptability, and leveraging AI to enhance—not replace—your contributions.

What You’ll Learn:
✅ How AI is changing DevOps roles and workflows
✅ Why curiosity, adaptability, and observation are key career skills in an AI-driven world
✅ Strategies to stay relevant and grow alongside AI advancements
✅ Practical steps to integrate AI into your daily DevOps work

Who Should Attend:
This webinar is ideal for DevOps engineers, developers, testers, IT operations professionals, and anyone looking to future-proof their career in an AI-powered industry.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable career insights. Register now to secure your spot!
Presenters
1743697883-4c41e524aaa2b61a
Alan Shimel
Founder & CEO - Techstrong Group
Alan is founder, CEO & editor-in-chief of Techstrong Group, the company behind DevOps.com, Container Journal, Security Boulevard and Digital Anarchist, as well as co-founder of the DevOps Institute. As such, he is attuned to the world of technology, particularly cloud, DevOps, security and open source. With almost 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, Alan has been instrumental in the success of several organizations. He is an often-cited personality in the security and technology community and is a sought-after speaker at industry and government conferences and events. In addition to his writing, his DevOps Chats podcast, DevOps TV and Digital Anarchist audio and videos are widely followed. Alan attributes his success to a combination of a strong business background and a deep knowledge of technology. His legal background, long experience in the field and New York street smarts combine to form a unique personality. He is a graduate of St. John's University with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics, and holds a JD degree from NY Law School.
1743698255-4d3ad367931176e0
Mitch Ashley
VP and Practice Lead, DevOps and AppDev - The Futurum Group
Mitch Ashley is VP and Practice Lead of DevOps and Application Development for The Futurum Group. Mitch has over 30+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, industry analyst, product development, and IT leader, with deep expertise in software engineering, cybersecurity, DevOps, DevSecOps, cloud, and AI. An in-demand CTO, CIO, engineering, and DevOps leader, Mitch has the pulse on the latest in software engineering, including the AI's impact in development, testing and security, cloud-native architecture, application and software supply chain security, platform engineering, ITOps, SecOps, AIOps, and DataOps. In his career, Mitch has brought to market multiple industry-impacting software-based products, including cybersecurity products, SaaS applications, Internet services, large telecommunications and financial applications, mobile applications, managed PKI services, and broadband networks. At Futurum, Mitch advises and guides leaders in delivering contemporary and next-generation software and security strategies critical to their business strategies.
1746464360-a1831f42ab15c575
Naomi Buckwalter
Senior Director of Product Security - Contrast Security
Naomi Buckwalter, CISSP CISM, is the Senior Director of Product Security for Contrast Security and author of the LinkedIn course: “Training today for tomorrow’s solutions – Building the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals”. She has over 20 years’ experience in IT and Security and has held roles in Software Engineering, Security Architecture, Security Engineering, and Security Executive Leadership. A dynamic speaker and mentor, her passion is to cultivate the next generation of cybersecurity leaders through education and mentorship. Naomi has two Masters degrees from Villanova University and a Bachelors of Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.
1746464491-c0775ed270d9d1e2
Keith Townsend
Chief Technology Advisor - The Futurum Group
Keith Townsend is a leading voice at the intersection of enterprise IT and AI, serving as Chief Technology Advisor at The Futurum Group. With over 25 years of experience across IT architecture, cloud infrastructure, and AI strategy, Keith helps global organizations bridge the gap between engineering execution and business outcomes.
He is best known for founding The CTO Advisor, an influential platform focused on translating emerging technology into practical enterprise solutions. His recent initiative, Zero to Builder: 100 Days of AI-Assisted Coding, is helping a new generation of professionals—especially non-traditional and returning developers—use AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot to accelerate their coding journey.
Keith’s insights are regularly featured at conferences like VMware Explore and Tech Field Day, and he has worked with top enterprise vendors including HPE, Google Cloud, and Adobe to shape go-to-market strategies around cloud and AI infrastructure.