Build 2017 took place in Seattle from May 10th to May 13th. There was also a Build 2017 pre-day on May 9th. I was there and have some observations that need sharing. The following are some observations from Build and some key sessions you’ll want to watch to continue your quest to learn all the things.

7. Robots & AI

The Build 2017 keynote advised developers to avoid the cautionary dystopian tales of science fiction writers. The irony of this statement was exemplified in the proceeding demonstration of facial recognition, bots, and AI that monitor every move literally. Such advances in your workplace grow nigh, carrying mixed motivation and ramification. If there was any thread of privacy left in the world Microsoft just showed how it plans to remove it. The application of such technology is fascinating including blowing open brand new markets. However, it is equally scary. Check out the keynote and be amazed and scared all at once. https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2017/KEY01

6. Papercuts

Visual Studio 2017, ASP.NET Core 2.0 are reducing papercuts thanks in large part to the compiler as a service architecture of Roslyn. Build 2017 featured announcements from multiple product teams all focused on productivity and making Windows the best pace to write code for any platform. https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2017/B8021

5. Standard All the Things

.NET Standard debuted at Build 2016. Build 2017 welcomed XAML Standard. Why does this matter? Consistency of developer experience across device SDKs including Xamarin. While we are a long way from one SDK to rule them all, a standard subset of the https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2017/B8001

4. Microsoft Fluent Design Language (Metro 2.0)

Build 2017 welcomed the official name for project Neon, Microsoft Fluent Design Language, a refined design language for Windows. This is a big deal as it marks the end of one era and the beginning of another. Fluent https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2017/B8066

3: Containers, Containers, Containers

Containerized workloads is the way software will be delivered going forward. Windows Containers, Hyper-V Containers, Docker and orchestrators are all critical skills to hone now and going forward. Application isolation and streamlining DevOps practices are where containers shine. https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2017/B8067

2: Service Fabric Everywhere

Service Fabric is not new. However, it may be new to you. Service Fabric is a distributed systems development, hosting, and orchestration architecture that provides an architectural pattern that ensures reliable software delivery at scale. This is how Microsoft hosts critical services and is how you can host critical workloads as well. I talked about Service Fabric in March at the NEWDUG Code Camp and again at the Azure Global Bootcamp in April. This is an exciting technology stack that will transform how we think about delivery. https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2017/B8106

1: Windows on ARM

Contrary to popular belief Microsoft talked about mobile at Build 2017. Not in the form of Windows Mobile as many may have expected but in what is coming next. Like I predicted in my Build 2017 predictions post, Windows on ARM is coming. This means an entire new class of cellular connected devices running Windows. I continue to predict that your next Windows mobile device might be made by someone who makes lots of phones with Android. Who wants to wager that might be HMD Global and the Nokia brand. Don’t count them out yet. https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Build/2017/P4171