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In 1972, ISI was created to solve the world’s most difficult technical problems. Cloudwalkers: ISI and the Inventors of the Future, written and directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Daniel Druhora, covers the breadth of ISI’s storied history.

The feature-length documentary spans ISI’s founding, catalyzed by the Pentagon Papers and the increased government focus on computer networking; to its role designing, developing and running the Internet, which led to one of the greatest explosions of information in human history; to the astonishing and varied work being done by ISI researchers in recent years through today. The documentary blends historical insights with tales of technological triumph that have reshaped our world.

Featuring commentary from Internet co-inventor Vint Cerf, ISI pioneer Bob Balzer, and current faculty, researchers, and staff, Cloudwalkers is filled with personal anecdotes and never-before-heard tales of ISI. Paul Mockapetris, a former ISI researcher, Internet Hall of Famer, and inventor of the Domain Name System (DNS), narrates, guiding viewers through some of ISI’s most impressive and long-lasting contributions to the Internet, including his own DNS invention.

As the Internet grew, so did the need to ensure its safety. ISI has been at the forefront of cybersecurity research, ensuring the safety and integrity of the Internet it helped create. Cloudwalkers delves into ISI’s role in advancing cybersecurity, featuring insights from world-class experts from both inside and outside the walls of ISI. Viewers are shown how cybersecurity has evolved from the early Internet to today, and how ISI has played a critical role in that advancement.
Finally, the documentary offers a glimpse into recent ISI projects: studying memory formation using zebrafish data, fighting human trafficking, mitigating AI bias, and applying machine learning to professional sports. These examples showcase what’s possible when smart, creative people tackle the world’s toughest challenges.

More than a retrospective, Cloudwalkers celebrates ISI’s enduring legacy of innovation.

Stream now on Amazon Prime to discover how ISI’s groundbreaking innovations continue to shape the technology powering our world.