#395 The Role of Data in AI Innovation: Erik Salo’s Take on HPC and Storage Systems

In this insightful episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Erik Salo, Vice President of Marketing and Product Management at Vdura, to dive deep into the critical role that data plays in AI innovation. Erik shares his extensive career journey, starting from his early days in data storage to his leadership roles at major tech companies like AMD and Seagate, and now at Vdura, where he is at the forefront of storage solutions for High-Performance Computing (HPC) and AI. Throughout the conversation, Erik discusses the evolution of data storage, the importance of scalable and reliable data platforms, and how these elements are crucial for machine learning and AI development. He highlights the challenges and opportunities of managing large-scale data in AI applications, providing real-world examples of how Vdura is pioneering advancements in this space. Erik also shares his thoughts on the convergence of enterprise storage reliability with the speed of HPC systems, explaining how this balance will shape the future of AI infrastructure. The episode covers various use cases beyond AI and machine learning, such as autonomous systems and predictive maintenance, showcasing the widespread impact of data-driven technologies. Get in touch with  Erik:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-salo-a9b5a9/ https://www.vdura.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:12 Erik Salo's Career Journey 04:06 The Importance of Data in AI and Machine Learning 06:35 Challenges in Data Storage and Management 09:36 The Evolution of High-Performance Computing 18:02 Future Trends in AI and Data Centers 27:52 Insights on Product Management 38:20 Final Thoughts and Conclusion