What to expect from F5 AppWorld 2025

What is an Application Delivery Controller?

First to ADC technology, as every system administrator and developer worth their salt knows, the Application Delivery Controller of today can trace its family history back to network-based hardware appliances that were purpose-built to act as load-balancing tools. 

Application-neutral (and located outside the realm of application servers) earlier software-based iterations of this technology acted as a virtual server that would grant server access to applications if and when instructed to.

On other words, an ADC is a network device that manages and optimises how client machines connect to web-based, cloud and other enterprise application servers.

Enter the modern ADC

With the arrival of cloud computing and related forms of virtualisation and abstraction, a third iteration of ADCs arrived as software-delivered virtual editions intended to run on hypervisors. 

As F5 reminds us on its DevCental pages, “Virtual editions of application delivery services have the same breadth of features as those that run on purpose-built hardware and remove much of the complexity from moving application services between virtual, cloud, and hybrid environments. They allow organisations to quickly and easily spin-up application services in private or public cloud environments.”

According to F5’s State of Application Strategy Report, the modern application era driven by AI is upon us. 75% of enterprises state they are already deploying AI apps in some form. 

Despite the rush to implement these new modern digital experiences, enterprises are ill-equipped to secure and deliver AI applications that handle massive amounts of data,

require complex traffic patterns, and introduce new, sophisticated security threats.

New generation ADCs

F5 says that a new approach is needed to the underlying tech stack that is still powered by traditional ADCs. The next generation of ADCs must support the reality of today’s hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures, converging what are currently point solutions to address critical needs such as high-performance load balancing, full web app and API security, multi-cloud networking and AI gateway capabilities.

“The rise of AI and modern applications demands a fundamental rethinking of application security and delivery. Traditional approaches fall short in managing today’s complex, distributed systems. Organisations need solutions that provide consistency, flexibility and complete visibility across their IT landscape. F5 has transformed our technology portfolio to meet these challenges head-on, enabling our customers to confidently secure and deliver advanced digital experiences,” said Kunal Anand, chief innovation officer, F5.

So, essential contextualisation, clarification and validation out of the way then… what can we expect from F5 AppWorld 2025? 

Enterprise AI security & delivery

The company says its event focus this year starts with enterprise AI security & delivery. Sessions, breakouts and tracks will be devoted to showcasing software engineering methods designed to improve the efficiency and security of enterprise AI applications across their full lifecycle.

In the application delivery track itself, F5 will focus on techniques, methodologies and practices to help organisations reliably deliver and distribute enterprise apps while dynamically enhancing performance.

In the web application & API protection area, F5 will look to explain methods undertaken to mitigate risk and complexity while maintaining security, effectiveness, resilience and agility.

Keynote noteworthies

Into the mainstage keynote then, what can we expect to hear?

Keynote sessions will of course be initially led by François Locoh-Donou in his capacity as president, chief executive officer and director at F5. Locoh-Donou’s session is entitled “A New Era of Application Delivery: How F5 Enables AI Apps” and he intends to showcase F5 is reimagining ADC technology to power increasingly distributed Al-powered apps.

Front front and centre at the show itself is (above quoted) Kunal Anand in his role as chief innovation officer at F5. Anand’s session is entitled “F5’s Roadmap for Unlocking the AI-Powered Future” and he will detail F5’s vision and roadmap for delivering an ADC solution that addresses the challenges of today and the Al-powered future of tomorrow.

As well as the F5 Academy programme for attendees to gain certification and knowledge, this event also features a guest inspirational speaker in the shape of Captain Scott Kelly, a former NASA Astronaut and retired US Navy Captain. Kelly’s “Reach for the Stars” session draws his unparalleled experiences in space where he will also share insights on teamwork, resilience, overcoming adversity and working together to build a better world.

F5 AppWorld 2025 is held from February 25-27 at the  Fontainebleau, Las Vegas, USA. The company ‘Tweets’ on X at @F5 and the event hashtag is #AppWorld2025.

François Locoh-Donou, president, chief executive officer and director at F5.