This presentation demonstrates that automation doesn't have to conform to popular tool limitations. When requirements exceed tool capabilities, the solution isn't necessarily to reduce requirements—it might be to find better tools.

Sprygada believes organizations that embrace AI-native network operations will see "significant increases in their ability to be agile, responsive, and build scalable infrastructure." This isn't just about efficiency gains—it's about capabilities that become possible only when AI is deeply integrated into operational frameworks. Think of it as the difference between using calculators to do math faster versus using computers to solve problems that were previously impossible.

What makes Luke's presentation valuable is its honesty about operational automation at scale. This isn't automation for efficiency gains—it's automation as the only viable way to manage a network of this size and complexity.

What makes their approach compelling isn't just the technical architecture—it's the honest acknowledgment that network automation is software development. Instead of pretending otherwise or trying to transform domain experts into something they're not, they embraced specialization.

Blake's presentation was valuable precisely because it wasn't a victory lap. It was an honest account of automation in the messy real world. His message for others starting similar journeys? "Take a try, have a play, see how it goes."

Cinar's perspective is valuable precisely because it's unpolished by years of industry experience. He sees barriers that veterans have forgotten exist, struggles with tools that experts take for granted, and asks questions that reveal assumptions we didn't know we were making.

What makes this presentation valuable isn't just the technical architecture—it's the honest portrayal of evolution. Most organizations won't jump directly from Ansible playbooks to microservices. They'll follow a similar progression: scripts → centralized automation → orchestration → microservices.

If you're just starting your automation journey, Ansible's gentle learning curve might be perfect. If you're ready to embrace Python fully and need maximum performance and flexibility, Nornir could be your answer.

This keynote landed because it addressed the elephant in the room: despite years of progress, many network automation initiatives still feel fragmented and disconnected from clear business value. De Luna's message wasn't about specific tools or techniques—it was about stepping back, asking better questions, and building stronger foundations.