Observability has arisen out of the necessity to comprehend intricate software systems. It involves monitoring metrics, logs, and traces so engineers can identify and resolve issues before they impact users. Contemporary applications often include numerous services, containers, and dependencies, resulting in more observability data than what dashboards and alerts can efficiently manage.
New Relic positions itself as a top observability platform with a legacy covering the entire scope of modern software operations. Currently, they are focusing on harnessing AI to shift observability from passive monitoring to active intelligence. This approach aims for systems to highlight important issues, minimize alert noise, and autonomously intervene before problems affect engineers or users.
Nic Benders, Chief Technology Strategist at New Relic, has been with the company for 16 years. In this episode, Nic joins Lee Atchison to explore the progression of observability from basic dashboards and alerts to AI-powered intelligence. They discuss how LLMs and statistical tools collaborate to identify significant signals from vast datasets, the new challenge posed by observing AI systems themselves, and the implications of AI’s evolution for the future of software engineering professions.
This episode is hosted by Lee Atchison, a software architect, author, and authority on cloud computing and application modernization. His best-selling book, “Architecting for Scale” (O’Reilly Media), serves as a vital guide for technical teams aiming to sustain high availability and manage risks in cloud environments.
Lee also hosts the podcast “Modern Digital Business,” which provides insights for individuals aiming to develop and expand their digital businesses using contemporary applications and processes tailored for today’s dynamic business landscape. Listen at mdb.fm. Follow Lee at softwarearchitectureinsights.com and view all his content at leeatchison.com.
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Sponsors:
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