The Living Internet: Why Enterprise AI Is a Hybrid Cloud and Edge Architecture Problem

This article argues that enterprise AI is not a feature confined to one cloud or vendor but a distributed system spanning hybrid cloud and edge environments. It uses a tree metaphor to illustrate dependencies: roots (physical infrastructure), trunk (network), branches (platform ecosystems), and canopy (AI services). The key lesson is to define shared enterprise intent and place AI components where requirements are best met, using native controls from Azure, AWS, VMware, Kubernetes, and edge platforms. It emphasizes practical architecture over product diagrams, addressing challenges like data placement, identity, policy, and day-two operations.