On the 44th episode of Enterprise Software Innovators, host Evan Reiser (Abnormal Security) talks with Mike Hamilton, CIO of Cloudflare. Cloudflare is a cloud connectivity company that helps businesses deliver content and applications worldwide while keeping them secure. More than 20% of all internet traffic flows through Cloudflare's networks, making them an indispensable part of modern internet infrastructure. In this conversation, Mike shares insights into how AI helps filter the noise in cybersecurity, the seamless integration of AI in business operations, and the power of AI to automate the mundane.

As Mike describes, Cloudflare provides a "business class internet" that ensures scalability and protection across a global network. With approximately 30% of internet traffic running through its network, Cloudflare is uniquely positioned to detect and mitigate threats in real-time, providing unparalleled customer service and security. At Cloudflare, Mike is at the helm of an organization that is not only a leader in cloud transformation but is also at the forefront of the AI revolution. Mike emphasizes how AI has become indispensable in filtering through the noise to identify critical threats. "Artificial intelligence is incredibly good at detecting signals in a way that humans would miss. We're not able to pay attention to that much information at once, but an artificial intelligence model can look at all this data and say, 'look here.'" This capability allows security teams to focus on real threats rather than be bogged down by endless data streams. AI sifts through the noise, highlighting anomalies and potential risks that might otherwise go unnoticed, making it a powerful ally in the ongoing battle against cyber threats.

Today, AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a fundamental part of business operations across various sectors. At Cloudflare, AI is seamlessly integrated into their services to enhance performance and security. Mike describes how Cloudflare's platform allows businesses to deploy AI-driven applications globally quickly. For instance, the company's Workers AI platform enables the deployment of models close to end-users, ensuring both efficiency and security. "We have our Workers AI platform, and it's global serverless. We're always as close to the eyeballs as we can get. Someone using your application is getting the closest strategy they can leverage to deliver an application, especially if they're trying to create something from scratch. Add to that we have Workers AI, which allows someone to deploy models globally in more than half the data centers with this model capability; they have the GPU capability and the backing. So it allows you to keep the database close to the user as well." This integration of AI into the business environment allows organizations to innovate and protect their operations simultaneously, leveraging AI's capabilities to stay ahead in a competitive market. Drawing parallels with the early days of computers in business, Mike notes that AI is at a similar inflection point—essential and here to stay. As Mike sees it, the real promise of AI lies not in the grand, science fiction-like scenarios but in the practical, everyday applications that can make business processes more efficient and human-centric. From automating routine tasks to enhancing decision-making, AI has the potential to reshape how businesses operate at every level.

To that end, one of the most transformative aspects of AI is its ability to automate repetitive, mundane tasks, freeing up resources to allow humans to focus on more strategic initiatives. Mike explains how addressing team inquiries about automation in previous roles has influenced his current AI strategy at Cloudflare, providing insights into common challenges and gaps in business processes, "One of the benefits I had in the past two companies I was with was to learn what are the most common things people are asking about automation. It starts to uncover gaps in the business where it's like, we should be doing more over here like people don't know how to find information, or this data quality is terrible, pointing to things people are unwilling to tell you." Mike envisions a future where AI becomes an invisible assistant in daily business operations, taking over tasks that were once time-consuming and allowing employees to concentrate on more value-added activities. This shift improves efficiency and empowers teams to be more creative and innovative in their roles. 

As AI evolves, its impact on business operations and cybersecurity becomes more pronounced by the day, especially given the breakneck speed of innovation and step changes happening across the industry. By filtering noise, seamlessly integrating into operations, and automating the mundane, AI transforms how businesses function, enabling them to be more agile, secure, and innovative. The future of AI is not just about high-tech advancements; it's about making life simpler and more efficient for everyone involved. As Mike aptly points out, the potential for AI to improve our daily lives in ways we might not even recognize is immense, signaling a future where technology, quietly yet profoundly, enhances human existence.

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Listen to Mike's episode here and read the transcript here.