Explore the latest updates and simplifications to Istio ambient mesh in this conference talk presented at All Things Open 2023. Dive into the new sidecar-less data plane mode designed for simplified operations, broader application compatibility, and reduced infrastructure costs. Learn about the introduction of a custom, lightweight, highly scalable Rust-based ztunnel, simplified xDS configuration, elimination of consumer-side waypoint proxy, and removal of Sidecar resource for sidecar-less deployments. Gain insights into the architectural deep dive, understand the rationale behind recent changes, and witness live demonstrations showcasing the benefits of the new architecture. Discover how to implement Istio ambient mesh in your own projects and experience the advantages of this alpha feature set to be released in Istio 1.18.