In this podcast episode, J Metz, the chair of the Ultra Ethernet Consortium (UEC), shares the organization's mission and recent progress. The UEC aims to foster an open Ethernet ecosystem specifically designed for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. As it expands, the consortium is tackling key challenges in scaling networks to meet modern workload demands. Metz highlights the importance of technical optimization and innovative solutions, like implementing a semantic layer for packet management. He offers valuable insights into the future of Ethernet technology and its essential role in facilitating efficient distributed computing as demands continue to rise.