Pearl Zhu's Blog, page 84
June 29, 2025
VB Transform Conference 2025: What’s actually working in enterprise AI— from copilots to agents
The conference emphasized the importance of IT-driven innovation in shaping a sustainable and inclusive technological landscape and an advanced human society.
The summertime in San Francisco is sunny and cool, and there are so many great professional conferences held at different locations.I headed to the conference center near the Ocean Bay to participate in the "VB Transform Conference 2025." This event gathered industry leaders, innovators, and thought leaders to discuss the future of technology, AI, and digital transformation.
The staff onsite were very friendly, helping me finish the registration process smoothly, so I could listen to the keynote presentations, participate in roundtable discussions, and ask questions at the vendor expo, learning and sharing insight about digital transformation across industries.
Presentation: When I entered the conference hall, hundreds of people were already there, and the meeting had already started. Renowned experts shared insights on the future of AI, emphasizing ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and the importance of responsible AI development. The keynote presentation focused on key trends, challenges, and opportunities in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its applications across various sectors. The topics include such as:
-Beyond Copilots: AI-Driven Development
-The New Human-AI Relationship in the Age of Agents
-From Models to Agentic Systems: The Next Enterprise AI S-Curve
-Less Control, More Tools: Why Enterprises Need AI Agents Over Rigid Workflows
-Cracking AI’s Storage Bottleneck
-Building Observable AI Agent Ecosystems In the $1 Trillion Post-SaaS Economy
-Face-to-Face at Scale: Why Video Agents Are the Next Leap in Enterprise AI
-A Taxonomy for Next-Generation Reasoning Models
...
Panel Discussions: Panels featured discussions on topics such as AI in retailers, finance, and smart cities, healthcare, etc, offering a multi-faceted view of technology's role. The topics include:
-AI Inference Is Reshaping Enterprise AI Economics – Here's How to Respond
-Beyond Generative AI: How Intelligent Agents Will Reshape Financial Services
-Designing for Autonomy: How Agentic AI Will Reshape Enterprise Architecture
-Beyond the Model: What No One's Telling You About Scaling Agents
-Travel-Tested AI: Building Scalable, Autonomous Agents with Domain Expertise
-Permission to Play: How to Cultivate a Safe Environment for AI Experimentation
-Architecting for Multi-Model, Multi-Modal Environments
-Agentic AI and the Developer Reckoning: Rethinking Data Intelligence and Execution
-Data Quality for Gen AI and Beyond: The Foundation of Trust and Performance
-AI From Prototype to Production
-Scaling AI: Modular Agents, Data Foundations, and the Future of Responsible Innovation
-Beyond Foundation Models: Blueprint for Hallucination-Free, Multimodal AI
How LLMs Transform Clinical Workflows Without Compromising Patient Data
-Open, Closed, or Hybrid? Choosing the Right Model Strategy for Enterprise AI
-Inside OpenAI’s Agent Stack: Shipping Secure, Evaluable Automation at Enterprise Scale
....
Roundtable Discussion: There were different brainstorming roundtable sessions on the impact of AI on business models, customer experiences, and operational efficiencies. Attendees engaged with panelists, fostering dialogue about real-world challenges and innovative solutions.
-Open-Source AI in the Enterprise: Balancing Innovation with Security and Compliance
-Anatomy of an Agent: Enterprise-Grade Autonomy
-What's Next is What's Necessary: Building the 2030 Technology Strategy
-Building Cybersecurity Apps with Open Source: Risks, Rewards, and Best Practices
-Observability for the Agentic Era: Tracking, Trust, and Transformation
-Reshaping Enterprise Structures for the Age of Intelligence
-From Demo to Dependable: Deploying Agents in Real-World Enterprise Workflows
-Agentic AI: Revolutionizing Software Development and Engineering
-Open-Source AI vs. Proprietary Models: Where Do Enterprises Place Their Bets?
- Best practices to build orchestration frameworks for agentic AI
-Enterprise’s Next Big Bet: Turning AI Experimentation into Scalable Impact
-Reliable Pipelines at Scale: Building Robust, Auditable, and Traceable AI Systems
-Building AI-First Products: An Enterprise Deployment Framework
-AI Development Tools in Software Engineering: Balancing Automation with Developer Oversight
-AI Skills Gap: Building Your Team Without Breaking the Bank
-AI-Powered Organizational Design: Reshaping Enterprise Structures
-Engineering Autonomous AI Agents: The Infrastructure Behind Superior Customer Experiences
Workshops: Workshops focused on practical applications of AI, including machine learning techniques, data analytics, and AI ethics.
-From LLMs to Agents: What to Build, When to Build It, and How to Know It Works
-Designing an Agent Strategy: From Proof-of-Concept to Production
Exhibitor Showcase: Innovative startups and established companies showcased their latest products and services related to AI and digital transformation. I saw a few AI startups, also some large enterprise demonstrated their AI solutions. Focus on how AI can drive business growth and sustainability efforts, including energy efficiency and resource management.
There were so many things going on at the conferences. The VB Transform Conference 2025 provided valuable insights into the future of AI and digital transformation. Attendees experienced firsthand the capabilities of new technologies, from AI-driven tools to IoT solutions. It's a great conference for us to refresh our knowledge and share insights with the latest IT-enabled business solutions. With a focus on collaboration, ethical considerations, and practical applications, the conference emphasized the importance of IT-driven innovation in shaping a sustainable and inclusive technological landscape and an advanced human society.
Sensors Converge Conference - IT Impact on Global Society
The Sensors Converge Conference 2025 showcased the transformative potential of sensor technologies across multiple industries.
In the sunny morning in late June, I went to participate in the "
Sensors Converge Conference 2025
" in the San Francisco Bay Area, Northern California. The staff there were professional and friendly, and the audience was eager to learn and share insights about the technological trends and applications. The conference brought together industry experts, innovators, and thought leaders to explore the latest advancements in sensor technology and its applications across diverse sectors. The event focused on the convergence of various sensing technologies, data analytics, and IoT solutions.
Industry Expo: There were hundreds of booths that showcased sensor technology solutions, covering all different industries, such as manufacturing, retailers, healthcare, finance, etc. The staff woking at different booths were very friendly, demonstrating their services and solutions to the audience passionately. Companies showcased cutting-edge sensor technologies, from environmental sensors to advanced imaging systems.
Presentations: Industry leaders and professionals share in-depth knowledge about their technological solutions. Most discussions centered around the integration of AI and machine learning with sensor data to drive smarter solutions.
Panel Discussions: Panels explored the use of sensors in healthcare, smart cities, industrial automation, and environmental monitoring. They also brainstorm the recent policy changes and process optimization for the industry expansion and business growth.
I saw a group of high schoolers demonstrating their robots for assembling or lifting things around. But there were no robots that came to greet audiences and shake our hands. Hopefully, I'll see more active robot participants around next time.
The Sensors Converge Conference 2025 showcased the transformative potential of sensor technologies across multiple industries. With a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and practical applications, the conference highlighted the critical role of sensors in shaping a more connected and efficient future. Attendees at the conference left with valuable insights and connections to drive their organizations forward in the rapidly evolving sensor landscape.
Gist of It
With every changing time, we’ll find our own theme. In the essence of global wisdom, we’ll always share fresh viewpoints.
In the quiet moments, we find our truth,
Searching for meaning,
reclaiming our innocence.
Every frown tells a story untold,
In the essence of growth,
we’re brave and bold.
It’s the gist of it,
the core we seek,
In the laughter and tears,
we grow unique.
Through the ups and downs,
we’ll find our own trajectory,
In the gist of it,
we’ll seize the creative momentum.
When the world feels heavy,
and paths are unclear,
We’ll lean on each other,
conquer the fear.
Every step forward,
a lesson learned,
In the journey of exploring the unknown,
our passion refuelled
So take a moment,
breathe in the light,
In the vastness of the world,
we’ll shine so bright.
With open minds,
we’ll navigate the "VUCA" realm,
In the gist of it,
we’ll transform.
So here’s to the journey,
the paths we create,
In the gist of it all,
we’ll celebrate.
With every changing time,
we’ll find our own theme,
In the essence of global wisdom,
we’ll always share fresh viewpoints.
June 28, 2025
Professionalism
Reaching the next level of professional maturity requires a commitment to self-awareness, accountability, and continuous development.
Professional maturity refers to the ability to navigate the complexities of the workplace with skill, understanding, and emotional intelligence. Moving to the next level of professional maturity involves developing key competencies that enhance personal effectiveness and leadership capabilities.Key Characteristics of Professional Maturity
Self-Awareness: Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses: Recognize personal strengths and areas for improvement.
Effective Communication: Engage in conversations with the intent to understand rather than respond. Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly, adapting communication style to the audience.
Emotional Intelligence: Ability to manage emotions and understand the emotions of others, fostering better relationships.
Accountability: Take responsibility for decisions and their outcomes, both positive and negative. Make a commitment to continuous improvement. Actively seek feedback and demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow.
Agility: Embracing change, showing resilience in the face of change and uncertainty. Adjust approaches and strategies based on evolving circumstances and new information.
Strategic Thinking
-Long-Term Vision: Consider the broader implications of decisions and actions for the organization.
-Problem-Solving Skills: Analyze complex problems and develop innovative solutions that align with organizational goals.
Leadership Development
-Mentorship: Seek opportunities to mentor others, sharing knowledge and experiences.
-Influence Without Authority: Demonstrate leadership qualities by inspiring and influencing others, regardless of formal position.
-Collaboration: Cultivate a diverse professional network that provides support and opens opportunities. Work effectively with others, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering teamwork.
Steps to Achieve Next-Level Professional Maturity
Seek Feedback: Actively request constructive feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors to identify areas for growth.
Set Personal Development Goals: Establish clear, measurable goals related to skills and competencies you wish to develop.
Engage in Continuous Learning: Pursue professional development opportunities such as courses, workshops, and certifications to enhance skills.
Reflect Regularly: Take time to reflect on experiences, decisions, and interactions to gain insights and learn from them.
Build a Support System: Surround yourself with mentors, colleagues, and peers who encourage growth and provide guidance.
Reaching the next level of professional maturity requires a commitment to self-awareness, accountability, and continuous development. By cultivating these characteristics, individuals can enhance their effectiveness, build stronger relationships, and position themselves as leaders in their fields.
Iterative Problem Solving
Running the business is fundamentally an iterative problem-solving continuum.
Problems nowadays become more complex, hyperconnected. Iteration improves solutions through a repetitive process of refinement, using successive comparisons to approach an optimal solution. This method is especially useful when models are too complex for direct solutions.How Iteration Works
-Inductive Procedures: Iteration uses inductive procedures to test and compare different values of controlled variables.
-Successive Improvement: These procedures are iterative, meaning they progress through successively improved solutions. This continues until an optimal solution is achieved or further calculation is deemed unnecessary.
-Stopping Rules: A rational basis for ending the iterative process involves determining when the expected improvement of the solution on the next trial is less than the cost of the trial.
Iterative Methods
-Algorithms: Well-known algorithms like linear, nonlinear, and dynamic programming use iterative procedures based on mathematical theory.
-Simulation and Optimization: Simulation and experimental optimization are iterative procedures that rely primarily on statistical analysis.
-Perturbation: In mathematics, perturbation is a method for solving a problem by comparing it with a similar one for which the solution is known. The process of iteration is one way in which a solution of a perturbed equation can be obtained.
Running the business is fundamentally an iterative problem-solving continuum. The business management should determine why problems happened, how problems escalated, which areas of the organization were affected, and when the problems started; then take an iterative approach to deal with complex problems effectively.
Follow us at: @Pearl_ZhuInterconnected Value
Value is multifaceted; value should convey the brand name and reputation of the organization.
The purpose of running a business is to generate value of all kinds. Business values are the guiding principles that define how a company operates, makes decisions, and interacts with the world. They shape the organization's culture and influence its strategies.Different types of business values include:
-Ethical Values: These values relate to moral principles and include integrity, honesty, and fairness. They guide a company to act responsibly and ethically in all its dealings.
-Innovation Values: These focus on creativity, learning, and being open to new ideas. They drive companies to continuously improve and find new ways to deliver value.
-Customer-Centric Values: These prioritize customer satisfaction and building long-term relationships. They emphasize understanding and meeting customer needs.
-Excellence Values: These promote high standards, quality, and continuous improvement. They encourage employees to strive for the best in everything they do.
-Social Responsibility Values: These values reflect a commitment to making a positive impact on society and the environment. They guide companies to consider the broader consequences of their actions.
How does innovation create business value? Innovation creates business value by fostering sustainable methods, improving efficiency, and driving economic growth. It allows companies to develop new products, services, and processes that meet evolving customer needs and market demands.
Key ways innovation creates business value:
-Efficiency and Productivity: Innovation leads to more efficient processes, reducing costs and increasing productivity.
-Competitive Advantage: By creating unique offerings, innovation helps companies stand out from competitors and capture market share.
-Market Disruption: Innovation can disrupt existing markets, creating new opportunities and revenue streams.
-Agility: Innovation enables companies to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and technological advancements.
-Continuous Improvement: Encourages ongoing improvements in products, services, and operations.
Value is multifaceted; value should convey the brand name and reputation of the organization. Innovation also promotes a culture of learning and experimentation, where new ideas are valued and employees are empowered to find better ways of doing things. This culture can lead to increased employee engagement, better problem-solving, and a stronger overall performance.
Intelligent Observation
The best observations come from staying learning agile and trying to understand what you're observing is all about.
True understanding bridges the world of differences. Intelligent observation deepens understanding through a combination of perception, learning, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. It involves adapting to new situations by selectively combining cognitive processes to achieve an effective outcome.
Key Aspects of Intelligent Observation
Adaptation: Adjusting oneself to cope effectively with the environment, which may involve changing the environment or finding a new one.
Cognitive Processes: Utilizing perception, learning, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Behavioral Assessment: Objective observation of behavior to identify patterns and responses.
Observational Learning: Acquiring knowledge by watching others, which can involve imitation or simply recognizing stimuli to guide actions.
Can technology eliminate human error in observations? No, technology cannot completely eliminate human error in observations. While technology enhances accuracy and provides detailed data, human judgment and decision-making remain crucial. Technology itself is neutral and passive, and the decisions about how to use it are undeniably human. Therefore, human shortcomings can still lead to errors, regardless of technological advancements.
The best observations come from staying learning agile and trying to understand what you're observing is all about. Stay a novice of some sort, keep fresh eyes, with the beginner's mind. Then try to do the very things you've been observing because it will bring much more insight when you try to fiddle with it. To practice deep observation, Systems Thinking as a purposeful tool provides a paradigm to observe meta levels by leveraging contexts and multiple viewpoints.
Professional Growth
By fostering a supportive environment through effective management practices and mentoring programs, organizations can enhance employee skills, motivation, and overall performance.
Professional capability development and maturity within an organization are significantly influenced by management practices and reciprocal commitment. When human capital is fully developed and appropriately utilized, it can substantially improve organizational performance.Management Practices and Human Capital
Training and Development: High investment in training and development ensures workers have the necessary skills and abilities to perform their tasks effectively.
Decentralized Decision-Making: Empowering workers with decentralized decision-making authority encourages them to use their problem-solving skills.
Participation and Rewards: Encouraging participation, offering pay for performance, using self-managed work teams, and implementing flexible job designs are associated with improved performance in public agencies.
Mentoring: Mentoring relationships also play a crucial role in professional development, benefiting both mentees and mentors. Mentors provide psychosocial support, enhancing identity, competence, and effectiveness, as well as career-related support, focusing on success and advancement. Mentors gain personal satisfaction from passing on knowledge and skills, receive fresh energy from their mentees, improve their career performance through new perspectives, and receive loyalty and support. Mentoring relationships progress through four stages:
-Initiation: Mentors and mentees begin the relationship and learn about each other.
-Cultivation: The greatest amount of learning and benefits occur.
-Separation: Mentees assert independence, and mentors feel they have no additional knowledge to share.
-Redefinition: The relationship transforms into one of peers or colleagues.
Professional growth is crucial to keep the mind fit and skills relevant. By fostering a supportive environment through effective management practices and mentoring programs, organizations can enhance employee skills, motivation, and overall performance.
Follow us at: @Pearl_ZhuThings You Know
Everything you know, let it shine like the sunlight. In the road to bridge the gaps, your journey’s just begun up.
In the quiet of the atmosphere, when the world feels still,
You ponder all the possibilities,
that gives your mind a thrill.
With every lesson learned,
and every road you’ve crossed,
You gather all the pieces,
counting what you’ve lost.
Everything you know,
it’s a part of you,
Every frown and every smile,
they make you feel coherent.
With the wisdom of the ages,
and the sparks in your eyes,
Everything you know,
it’s where your journey starts.
When the storms come raging,
and the skies turn gray,
You stand tall and steady,
you won’t feel too weak.
With the strength of your spirit,
you rise above the doubt,
In the tapestry of life,
you’ll find the purpose behind.
So take a moment, breathe,
let the true understanding guide your way up,
In the lessons of past,
you’ll find a brighter future.
With every step you take,
let your insight lead you to the path you like,
Everything you know becomes-
part of who you are.
So here’s to the moments,
the memories you’ve sown,
In the story of your life,
you’re never alone.
Everything you know,
let it shine like the sunlight,
In the road to bridge the gaps ,
your journey’s just begun up.
Let it Go
Let it go, let your mind be free. In the journey of going on different trails. Just be true to yourself and the world.
In the silence of the surroundings, when the shadows start to fade away,
You’re holding onto burdens,
that are weighing on your shoulders.
With every tear you shed,
and every frustration that you feel,
It’s time to regain the freedom,
no matter what's ahead of you,
what you want to achieve?
Let it go, release the enthusiasm,
In the flow of your thoughts,
there’s so much to grow.
With a mind that’s open wide,
let the past fade away,
Let it go, embrace today;
the present moment.
When the weight of the world feels-
too heavy to bear,
Remember that you’re stronger,
with fresh oxygen in the air.
With every step you take,
you’re finding your way to grow;
In the inspiration of the moment,
let your spirit flow.
Every ending is a chance for a brand new start,
Let the light of tomorrow shine bright in your mind.
So breathe in the future,
and exhale the past,
In the journey of your life,
you’ll find wisdom at last.
So here’s to the moments,
to the lessons you learn,
In the openness of letting go,
watch your spirit grow.
Let it go, let your mind be free,
In the journey of going on different trails,
Just be true to yourself and the world,
perhaps we can meet at
the hilltop or the valley deep.
