Session Abstract

The role of the infrastructure professional is changing faster than ever. Organizations are modernizing their cloud estates, embracing hybrid environments, and introducing AI into both business applications and day-to-day operations. As a result, IT and Operations teams are expected to manage more systems, make decisions faster, and deliver greater reliability with fewer resources. In this full-day tutorial, we'll explore what it means to operate modern infrastructure on Azure and beyond. You'll get up to speed on the latest Azure infrastructure capabilities, including cloud adoption and operational best practices, networking, governance, hybrid management, and platform operations. We'll also examine how AI is reshaping the operational landscape, from AI-enabled applications that introduce new operational requirements to AI-powered tooling designed to help administrators work more effectively. Through demos, architectural discussions, and practical guidance, you'll learn how emerging technologies such as copilots, intelligent assistants, and agent-based operations can help reduce operational toil, improve reliability, and accelerate troubleshooting across cloud and hybrid environments. Whether you're managing Azure, on-premises infrastructure, or both, you'll leave with a clearer understanding of the skills, tools, and strategies needed for the next generation of IT operations.

Pierre Roman

As a Principal Cloud Advocate, Pierre Roman engages with the operations and Operations and infrastructure communities on behalf of Microsoft. He is part of a team that drives growth and adoptions of the Azure platform by providing upskilling guidance and bringing community feedback to the product groups. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, he brings a well-rounded view of all facets of the Ops/infra lifecycle. His skills enable him to relate to his audiences and cultivate relationships at all levels (from the nuts and bolts guy/gal to management.) He’s a husband, a dad, a hockey fan, a gadget freak and a geek. Pierre is always ready for a conversation (in English or français - naturellement).