The proof is in the cloud

As the heat of the Nevada desert beat down on the Las Vegas strip outside, inside the bustling halls of Oracle CloudWorld 2024, a different kind of electricity was in the air.

Industry titans from diverse sectors gathered to share their transformative journeys, all powered by the cloud. From the glitzy casino floors to the clandestine world of intelligence, from global banking to internet infrastructure, the message was clear: the future is in the cloud.

Oracle CEO Safra Catz set the tone for the session, emphasising the critical nature of partnerships in the cloud era.

“Our partnership with [these businesses] has allowed us to bring together our technologies with your needs and capabilities and direction to make this all possible,” Catz said, underscoring Oracle’s commitment to customer success.

The House Always Wins

Bill Hornbuckle, CEO of MGM Resorts, took the audience on a journey from his humble beginnings as a busboy to leading one of the world’s premier hospitality companies. His story paralleled the transformation of Las Vegas itself, from a casino-centric town to a global entertainment and business destination.

“I got here 47 years ago. It was the late 1970s. And I saw a town with 300,000 people. Today we’re about 2.5 million people,” Hornbuckle said. This growth has been matched by technological evolution, with MGM at the forefront.

Hornbuckle highlighted how Oracle’s technologies, particularly Opera and Fusion, have changed the guest experience. “We now check in about 35% of our guests on their own phone,” he explained, showcasing how digital innovation has streamlined operations while enhancing customer satisfaction.

But it’s not just about efficiency, personalisation plays a role too. Hornbuckle sees AI as the key to tailoring experiences for every guest. “AI will enable us to know everything about not everybody, but a lot of folks who have been here,” he predicted, painting a picture of a future where hospitality is as personalised as it is luxurious.

Securing the Nation, One Database at a Time

From the glitz of Vegas, the session took a more serious turn with La’Naia Jones, Chief Information Officer of the CIA. The reveal that the CIA was Oracle’s first customer in 1977 set the stage for a discussion on the critical intersection of technology and national security.

Jones emphasised the evolving nature of global threats and the CIA’s need for cutting-edge technology to stay ahead. “We want the best, the brightest technology, the best solution,” she stated, highlighting the agency’s commitment to leveraging Oracle’s innovations in data management and analysis.

The conversation touched on the delicate balance between innovation and security, with Jones explaining how Oracle’s technologies enable the CIA to handle vast amounts of data securely and efficiently. She hinted at the transformative potential of AI in intelligence work, suggesting that it could change everything from cybersecurity to logistics and human resources.

Banking on the Future

The financial sector was represented by Bernard Gavgani and Jean-Yves Fillion from BNP Paribas, who outlined the bank’s strategy centred on growth, technology, and sustainability. Their partnership with Oracle, particularly in cloud technologies, emerged as a cornerstone of this strategy.

Gavgani explained the rationale behind their cloud migration: “The first objective is to provide the best solution to our customers by gathering all of the databases that we have, more than 10,000 databases in one single area, simplifying the tools, and managing this in one way.”

This move to the cloud isn’t just about consolidation; it’s about transformation. Fillion highlighted how this technological shift is enabling BNP Paribas to expand its global reach while maintaining stringent security and regulatory compliance.

The executives also touched on the bank’s AI initiatives, with Gavgani revealing, “In Iberia, we have more than 700 use cases already up and running for the different areas, for the customer satisfaction, for the payment, unusual payment for corporate customers, for the compliance and risk.”

Building a Better Internet

Michelle Zatlyn, President and COO of Cloudflare, brought a different perspective to the table, focusing on internet infrastructure and security. Zatlyn’s vision of building a better internet resonated with Oracle’s own mission, highlighting the synergies between the two companies.

Zatlyn emphasized the growing trend of multi-cloud strategies, noting that “over 50% of companies today have a multi-cloud setup.” She praised Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) for its performance, security posture, and innovative approach, particularly highlighting its “price for performance” advantage.

Looking to the future, Zatlyn touched on the potential of edge computing and AI, particularly in the realm of inference. “I like to think of CloudFlare as the only human network to do inference at the edge,” she explained, painting a picture of a more distributed, efficient internet infrastructure.

Connecting a Nation

The session’s global perspective was rounded out by Antonio Büchi from Entel, Chile’s largest telecommunications company. Büchi’s insights into digital transformation in the telecom industry highlighted the universal nature of the challenges and opportunities presented by cloud and AI technologies.

Büchi emphasised the importance of anticipation and continuous innovation in a rapidly changing industry. “If you don’t push changes, changes will push you, and will become a liability,” he said, explaining how this philosophy has helped Entel maintain its leadership position.

The telecom leader shared impressive results from Entel’s digital transformation efforts, including moving 90% of workloads to the cloud and significantly improving customer satisfaction scores. Büchi also highlighted the use of AI in predicting and reducing customer churn, demonstrating the tangible benefits of these technologies.

The Common Thread

As diverse as these industries are, common themes emerged throughout the session. All leaders emphasised the importance of embracing change and innovation as a constant. They highlighted the critical role of leadership and courage in driving digital transformation, with Büchi succinctly stating, “The most important thing of AI is not the technology. The technology will be there forever. What is important is the business guy take it and push it forward with courage and use it.”

Customer-centricity was another recurring theme, with each speaker emphasizing how their technological decisions were ultimately driven by the desire to better serve their customers or stakeholders. From MGM’s personalized guest experiences to BNP Paribas’ streamlined financial services, the end goal was always improved customer satisfaction and value.

The undeniable impact of AI across industries was evident, with each speaker touching on how AI is revolutionizing their operations. Whether it’s enhancing security, personalizing services, or improving operational efficiency, AI emerged as a key driver of innovation and competitive advantage.

As the session drew to a close, it was clear that these industry leaders see cloud and AI technologies not just as tools, but as fundamental drivers of their future success.

 “We’re successful when you’re successful,,” Catz said to the audience. This collaborative approach, where technology providers and their customers work in true partnership, seems to be the secret sauce in the recipe for digital transformation success.

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