"The tools we make are observability tools today. But it can never be the goal of our business to provide observability. The goal of our business as a vendor and as a partner with our customers is to give them understandability,” stated Nic Benders, the Chief Technical Strategist at New Relic.

In this episode of the Don't Panic It's Just Data podcast, host Christina Stathopoulos, the Founder of Dare to Data, speaks with Benders about where observability is headed in IT systems. They discuss how AI is transforming observability into a more comprehensive understanding of complex systems, moving beyond traditional monitoring to achieve true understandability.

Benders explained the importance of merging various data types to provide a complete picture of system performance and user experience. He believes AI can bridge the gap between mere observation of systems and a deeper understanding of their functionality. This could ultimately lead to enhanced incident response and operational efficiency.

With maturing technology, complexity is expected to grow, too. The straightforward act of “observing” those complexities is like watching a green light on a machine. This is not enough. The major challenge is to “understand” the inside operations of the machine. This is the difference between simply seeing the data and knowing the "why."

Observability to Understandability

As per Benders, the term observability "leaves a lot to be desired." While it’s the industry’s common label, it only describes seeing a system. The real goal, he argues, is to understand it.

Alluding to an analogy, the technical strategist asks Stathopoulos to imagine a nuclear power plant full of a million blinking lights and screens. “You can have all the observability available, but if you're not an expert, you won't grasp what’s actually happening,” says Benders.

Typically, software has been developed by a single person who knows every inch of it. However, today, technology has become more perplexing. AI, alongside teamwork and collaboration, provides the tools to solve this problem. An engineer might manage code they didn’t write, making a dashboard full of charts unhelpful. Understandability means moving beyond raw data to give context and meaning.

Ultimately, Benders advises IT leaders to embrace change. The tech industry is constantly changing and advancing. Instead of fearing new tools, organizations should focus on what they need to grasp the unknown. As he puts it, "a lot of unknown is coming over the next few decades."

Takeaways

  • Observability is not enough; understanding is crucial.
  • AI can enhance the understanding of complex systems.
  • The shift from observing to understanding is essential for modern IT.
  • AI presents both challenges and opportunities in software development.
  • New interfaces powered by AI can improve user interaction with data.
  • AI can help reduce incident response times significantly.
  • Collaboration with AI is becoming the norm in software development.
  • Real-world applications show measurable benefits of AI in observability.
  • IT decision-makers must prepare for ongoing changes in technology.
  • Understanding the unknown is key to navigating future challenges.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Observability and Understandability
  • 05:00 The Role of AI in Modern IT
  • 10:02 AI's Impact on Observability Solutions
  • 14:58 Real-World Applications of AI in Observability
  • 19:52 Key Takeaways for IT Decision Makers

About New Relic

The New Relic Intelligent Observability Platform helps businesses eliminate interruptions in digital experiences. New Relic is the only AI-strengthened platform to unify and pair telemetry data to provide clarity over your entire digital estate. We move your problem-solving past proactive to predictive by processing the right data at the right time to maximize value and control costs.

That’s why businesses around the world—including Adidas Runtastic, American Red Cross, Domino’s, GoTo Group, Ryanair, Topgolf, and William Hill—run on New Relic to drive innovation, improve reliability, and deliver exceptional customer experiences to fuel growth. Visit: www.newrelic.com.