Exploring the Future of APIs: Insights from App World 2025 in Singapore

Key Concepts:

• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) as the glue connecting technology stacks.
• API Days Singapore Conference as a platform for holistic API management discussions.
• The Amazon/Jeff Bezos mandate for internal service exposure via APIs.
• AI's impact on API consumption and the need for "AI-first" thinking.
• Importance of developer experience (DX) and ease of API consumption.
• Accountability for API user experience and the evolving roles of professionals.

1. API Days Singapore Conference and its Scope

• Jon, founder of Blue Connector and organizer of API Days Singapore, discusses the conference's growth since 2019.
• The 2025 conference, held at Marina Bay Sands, featured F5's support and a diverse speaker lineup, including Chuck Herrin from F5.
• API Days takes a holistic view of API management, covering business models (Open Banking, SaaS), related technologies (data, AI), and architecture (platform engineering, DevOps).
• The conference addresses the pervasive nature of APIs, impacting both publishers and consumers across various technology domains.

2. APIs as the Connecting Glue and the Expanding Role of Professionals

• APIs connect the technology stack, requiring professionals to understand how different pieces fit together.
• The analogy of DNS administration illustrates how a seemingly specific role can expand to encompass various interconnected systems.
• APIs have evolved from internal tools to business models, enabling organizations to expose services externally.

3. The Amazon Mandate and the "AI-First" Paradigm

• Mehdi, founder of API Days, presented an updated view of the Amazon mandate (Jeff Bezos's 2003 directive) requiring teams to expose services through interfaces (APIs).
• This mandate enabled Amazon to clean up its environment and create Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• The discussion shifts to the era of AI, suggesting organizations should adopt an "AI-first" approach, making services consumable by AI agents.
• This approach aims to promote reusability, standardization, and better utilization of assets, leading to new service combinations and capabilities.

4. The Importance of Developer Experience (DX) and Ease of Consumption

• If services aren't easily consumable, developers will quickly move on to alternatives with better documentation, quick start guides, or pre-built plugins.
• Companies like Twilio and Stripe have succeeded by prioritizing ease of API consumption, offering various interfaces (no-code, SDKs, direct API access).
• Successful companies will make it as easy as possible for others to consume their services, addressing authentication, authorization, and provisioning challenges.

5. Accountability for API User Experience and Evolving Professional Roles

• Someone must be accountable for the API user experience, whether it's a UX designer, Product Owner, or business unit leader.
• Instead of creating new roles like "Chief Agent Experience Officer," organizations can adapt existing roles, such as expanding the Chief Digital Officer's responsibilities to include AI.
• Professionals should consider how their roles are evolving, such as Product Managers becoming API Product Managers and then AI Product Managers.
• Developers and Product Owners should consider the needs of their customers, including AI agents, when designing and managing APIs.

6. Conclusion

The discussion highlights the critical role of APIs in connecting technology stacks and enabling new business models. With the rise of AI, organizations must adopt an "AI-first" approach, making their services easily consumable by AI agents. Prioritizing developer experience and ensuring accountability for API user experience are essential for success. Professionals need to adapt their skills and roles to meet the evolving demands of the API-driven and AI-powered landscape.