Today in Tech

Vibe coding has gone from “kicking the tires” to shipping real software—but what does AI-powered vibe coding break along the way? In this episode of Today in Tech, Keith Shaw sits down with Scott Breitenother, CEO and co-founder of Kilo Code, to unpack how AI-assisted development is changing the craft of programming—and the structure of engineering teams. Scott explains what vibe coding really means, why “one-shot” prompts often fail, and how the best teams are already using multiple AI agents to build and review features. We also dig into the big questions leaders are wrestling with right now: how to create guardrails and quality gates, what happens to junior developer pipelines, and whether AI will reduce or multiply tech debt as more people build more software faster. Topics covered: What “vibe coding” is (and why the name may disappear) Why specificity beats “magic prompts” AI as a multiplier: vision + architecture still matter Quality gates: AI code review + human review Team redesign: one engineer managing multiple agents Tech debt, maintenance, and the “slop” problem How education and career paths will change

AI is shifting from assistant to teammate — and that changes everything. In this episode of Today in Tech, Keith Shaw sits down with Karen Ng, EVP of Product at HubSpot, to break down what “hybrid AI teams” actually are, how companies are deploying AI agents alongside humans, and what that means for your day-to-day work. You’ll hear why hybrid teams are more than just “using AI tools,” how organizations should onboard agents like new hires, and why governance, guardrails, and trust are the difference between real adoption and risky chaos. Karen shares practical examples (including AI resolving a majority of support tickets), plus a simple three-phase blueprint for getting started: clean your data, focus humans on what they do best, and automate the right tasks. If you’re wondering whether AI agents will count as headcount, how much autonomy is too much, and what skills matter beyond prompt engineering — this conversation is your roadmap. In this episode: What a hybrid human + AI team really looks like “Supercharged humans” vs. basic AI usage Where agents work best (and where risk spikes) Onboarding, observability, and human-in-the-loop guardrails Trust, outcomes, and why AI doesn’t need to be perfect to be valuable What employees should do now to stay ahead

AI is supposed to reduce technical debt, but what if it’s actually making the problem worse? In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw sits down with Gary Hoberman, Co-Founder of Unqork, and David Ferrucci, CTO of Unqork and former IBM Watson leader, to unpack how generative AI, low-code platforms, and “vibe coding” can quickly multiply hidden risk instead of eliminating complexity. They break down why digital transformation hasn’t solved tech debt, how AI-generated code can speed up architectural mistakes, and why governance, component reuse, and disciplined system design matter more than ever. Drawing on Gary’s experience managing global engineering organizations and Dave’s work building Watson for Jeopardy!, this conversation reveals what enterprise leaders must understand if they want to use AI without creating the next generation of legacy problems. Key topics include * Why tech debt keeps growing after modernization efforts * How AI coding tools can accidentally amplify bad architecture * The limits of low-code, no-code, and “citizen developer” platforms * Governance and guardrails for safe enterprise AI adoption * What the future holds for software development and AI-assisted teams

Are self-driving cars finally ready for everyday use, or is the hype still ahead of the reality? In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw sits down with Edwin Olson, CEO and Founder of May Mobility, to break down where autonomous vehicles truly stand as we head into 2026. From AI reasoning models and real-world deployments to the challenges of weather, unpredictable human drivers, and scaling nationwide fleets, Olson shares what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s coming next for ride-hailing, public transit, and the future of car ownership.

Finding a job has never been more automated or more frustrating. Candidates feel ignored. Employers feel overwhelmed. Trust in the hiring process is breaking down. On this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw sits down with futurist Cliff Jurkiewicz of Phenom to unpack what is really broken in the 2026 job market. Is the problem the economy, or the way companies hire? They dig into AI-driven hiring tools, resume filtering, ghosting, unrealistic job requirements, flawed job descriptions, and why many companies are using AI incorrectly. The conversation also explores how candidates can adapt, how recruiters should rethink hiring, and what “human plus AI” work really looks like going forward. If you’re hiring, job hunting, or just trying to understand where work is headed next, this episode breaks down what needs to change before the system breaks even further.

This episode of Today in Tech is different. Instead of talking about enterprise software or cybersecurity, we step inside one man’s fight for survival — and the revolutionary medical technology that helped save his life. Keith Shaw is joined by Douglas Meijer (co-chairman, Meijer Inc.) and Dr. Brandon Mancini of BAMF Health to tell the astonishing story of how an often-overlooked cancer treatment called theranostics helped identify and target tumors that surgery and radiation couldn’t reach. After traveling overseas to receive life-saving care, Doug returned with a mission: bring this breakthrough to the United States so other patients wouldn’t have to leave the country for hope. In this deeply personal conversation, they explore: * What it feels like to receive a life-changing diagnosis * How precision medicine is replacing “one-size-fits-all” cancer treatments * Why theranostics acts like a guided missile against cancer — sparing healthy cells * How a new wave of AI is accelerating imaging, diagnosis, and personalized care * The barriers that still keep cutting-edge treatments out of reach for many patients * Why the future of cancer care may finally be shifting toward real cures This is a story about technology — but more importantly, it’s about hope, perseverance, and saving lives. If you or someone you love has faced cancer, this episode shows what’s now possible — and why the next decade could be the most hopeful in cancer treatment history. Learn more about theranostics and patient programs at bamfhealth.com.

Most people assume AI “remembers everything” — every chat, every command, every conversation. But that’s not how today’s systems actually work. On this episode of Today in Tech, Keith Shaw talks with Manifest AI CEO Jacob Buckman about how AI memory really works under the hood, why chatbots feel so different from humans, and what has to change for true long-running digital agents to become reality. Jacob explains concepts like short-term vs. long-term AI memory, context windows, KV caches, and “scratchpad” summaries in plain language. He uses analogies from medicine and the movie Memento to show why current AI tools can ace a single conversation but struggle to stay on task over hours, days, or projects. They also dig into hallucinations, why simply “making models bigger” isn’t enough, and how new architectures like power retention aim to give AI a more human-like ability to remember what actually matters over time. You’ll learn: * Why AI remembers everything inside a chat window but almost nothing between sessions * How today’s memory tricks (summaries, scratchpads, huge context windows) still fall short * How memory limits hold back reliable AI agents for coding, research, and creative work * Why better long-term memory could cut hallucinations and boost trust in business use cases * What “power retention” is — and how it could reshape the next generation of AI systems

AI agents are exploding across the enterprise—but security hasn’t caught up. In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw talks with Michael Bargury, co-founder and CTO of Zenity, about why every AI agent is inherently vulnerable, how zero-click attacks work, and what companies must do now to reduce their risk. Bargury explains how attackers can hijack AI agents with simple persuasion, plant malicious “memories,” and silently exfiltrate sensitive data from tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Salesforce, and Cursor, often without users ever clicking on anything. You’ll learn: * Why AI agents are always vulnerable by design * How prompt injection = persuasion, not just a technical bug * What zero-click agent attacks look like in the real world * How attackers can weaponize shared docs, Jira tickets, and email automations * Why there is no such thing as a “fully secure” agent platform * Practical steps to monitor, contain, and manage AI agent risk Chapters 0:00 – Introduction, overview: Why every AI agent can be hacked 1:00 – First enterprise AI attack on Microsoft Copilot 3:15 – Systemic vulnerabilities and why things got worse 4:35 – Why agents are always gullible by design 6:10 – Prompt injection vs simple persuasion 8:00 – Zero-click attacks explained 10:30 – Hacking ChatGPT via Google Drive & shared docs 13:40 – Planting malicious “memories” in your AI 15:30 – The Cursor + Jira “apples” exploit for stealing secrets 20:10 – Thousands of exposed Copilot Studio agents on the internet 23:30 – Goal hijacking: convincing agents to change their mission 24:50 – Dumping Salesforce data via a customer-success agent 26:50 – Soft vs hard security boundaries for AI 28:15 – What vendors fixed—and what they can’t fix 31:10 – Why “secure AI platform” is a myth 33:30 – What enterprises must own in the shared responsibility model 36:20 – Treating agents like risky insiders to monitor 39:00 – How AI security needs to evolve next 40:57 – Closing thoughts

AI may be reshaping the enterprise world — but what about small and mid-sized businesses? In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw speaks with Ed Keisling, Chief AI Officer at Progress Software, about the unique challenges and opportunities SMBs face when adopting AI. From limited budgets and data hurdles to the pitfalls of agentic hype and governance gaps, Ed explains how smaller companies can succeed by starting small, prioritizing outcomes, and enabling employees. Topics Covered: AI strategy differences: Enterprises vs SMBs Common mistakes SMBs make with AI Build vs. buy: Choosing the right AI tools Risk management, governance & explainability Realistic use cases and quick wins Agentic AI and the road ahead

Most companies are still learning how to use chatbots and copilots—but what happens when AI doesn’t wait for a prompt? In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw speaks with Bhavin Shah, CEO of Moveworks, about the rise of ambient agents: AI tools that proactively take action across enterprise systems before users even know help is needed. Discover how these autonomous agents are redefining workflows, slashing IT response times, boosting compliance, and delivering real ROI, far beyond reactive chatbots or copilots. Key topics: What makes ambient agents different from traditional AI agents Real-world examples from IT, HR, and enterprise automation How enterprises can integrate agents with tools like Slack, ServiceNow, and Salesforce Why trust, privacy, and gradual adoption are critical The psychology of automation and user behavior When and where we’ll see ambient agents become mainstream Subscribe for more deep dives into generative AI, automation, and enterprise tech.

Can AI and human creativity truly coexist—or are we watching the beginning of the end for original artistry? In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw dives deep into the future of visual content with Allesandra Sala, Shutterstock’s Head of AI and Data Science. Together, they explore how generative AI is transforming the creative industry — from image perfection and stock photography disruption to copyright chaos, ethical dilemmas, and artistic identity. Discover: Why Shutterstock chose to embrace, not resist, generative AI How AI-generated content is both exciting and dangerously generic The ongoing legal battle over AI authorship and content ownership How artists can stay relevant (and possibly even thrive) with AI What ethical guardrails and transparency measures are needed now Whether a backlash to “too perfect” imagery is already underway Follow TECH(talk) for the latest tech news and discussion!

Shadow AI is already inside your company—and your security team can’t see it. Employees are using AI tools without approval, confidential data is leaking into public LLMs, and attackers are weaponizing AI faster than we can secure it. In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw is joined by Etay Maor of Cato Networks, a cybersecurity expert and adjunct professor at Boston College, to reveal how Shadow AI is now one of the biggest threats to enterprise security. We discuss how AI tools slip past IT monitoring, why AI is now the weakest link, how attackers jailbreak AI models, and why agentic AI could open the next wave of cyberattacks. Etay also shares real-world cybercrime examples using AI—and what companies MUST do now to gain AI visibility, enforce policies, and prevent data leaks. Topics Covered: What is Shadow AI and why is it dangerous? 38% of employees sharing sensitive data with AI tools Why 90% of enterprise AI use is invisible AI misuse by employees and insider risks Jailbroken AI models and zero-knowledge threat actors AI-powered phishing, deepfakes & identity fraud Agentic AI and excessive permissions How to monitor, detect and contain Shadow AI

In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw is joined by Yvette Brown, co-founder of XPROMOS and a leading voice in generative AI education. They dive deep into the growing disconnect between AI adoption and employee readiness — with new research revealing that many AI projects are failing because upskilling efforts are falling short. Yvette breaks down: * Why relying on a “Debbie the AI gal” approach won't scale * How AI “work slop” is flooding organizations with low-quality content * What causes the “garbage in, garbage out” problem * Why iteration, specificity, and context are critical when prompting * The surprising power of tools like deep research and agentic AI pilots They also explore practical AI fluency tips for marketers, managers, and knowledge workers, plus discuss whether the holiday shopping season could be a breakthrough moment for consumer-facing AI agents. Don’t miss this episode if you care about: * Upskilling your team for AI success * Avoiding common prompt engineering mistakes * Using AI as a true collaborator — not just a shortcut * Navigating the rise of agentic AI safely Watch now and take on Yvette’s AI homework challenge: Ask an AI to analyze your job and help you work smarter.

As companies rush to implement AI and automated decision-making tools, they may be walking into a legal minefield. On this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw speaks with attorney Rob Taylor from Carstens, Allen & Gourley about the growing legal risks tied to agentic AI, automated hiring, and the rise of ADM (automated decision-making) regulations. Rob breaks down: * Why AI tools used in hiring and insurance may trigger liability * How companies are getting ADM compliance wrong * What laws already apply even without new AI regulations * Real-world examples like credit scoring, job screening, and sentiment analysis * Why disclosure, explainability, and data retention are essential * Who’s liable: the company or the AI developer? Chapters 00:00 Legal risks in AI and ADM 01:00 Common mistakes companies make 06:00 High-risk use cases: hiring, credit, insurance 10:00 Disclosure and consent pitfalls 15:00 Explainability and record-keeping laws 20:00 Unintentional bias in hiring algorithms 28:00 Who is liable: developer or deployer? 34:00 What future lawsuits might target 37:00 Fixing flawed AI governance 41:00 Litigation as the great teacher

Zero trust was once the leading cybersecurity strategy, but has it lost momentum? In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw speaks with Morey Haber, Chief Security Advisor at BeyondTrust, about whether zero trust is failing or simply misunderstood. They explore why many companies struggle to implement zero trust effectively, the gap between intention and execution, and how vendor marketing may have added confusion to the conversation. Morey explains why identity and privileged access management are now critical, how lateral movement works during attacks, and why many AI agents are dangerously over-privileged. Topics include: The misconception that zero trust is a product How AI is reshaping the need for zero trust The role of identity in modern cybersecurity Real-world deployment challenges and mistakes Why secure-by-design is often an afterthought This episode is ideal for IT leaders, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone looking to better understand how zero trust fits into a world increasingly influenced by AI.

Are shoppers starting to trust AI like a person? Host Keith Shaw talks with Brett Leary of Accenture about research showing users treat GPT-style tools as trusted advisors — and how that shifts product discovery, brand loyalty, and the future of shopping agents.

In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw is joined by Sydnee Mayers, Product Lead for AI at Cribl, to explore the fast-growing world of AI certifications. As tech companies, cloud providers, and universities race to offer AI training programs, how can professionals know which certifications matter — and which ones might be outdated before you even finish them? We break down: The explosion of AI certifications post-ChatGPT The most popular programs (Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Andrew Ng) Why developer skills don’t always translate to working with AI The difference between a “course” and a real certification How employers actually view AI certs in hiring decisions The skills (like prompt engineering) that still aren’t being formally taught The lack of certifications for non-technical roles (sales, marketing) Why AI certifications may never become standardized — and what to do instead

AI is reshaping both sides of the job market—from how companies hire to how freelancers win work. In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw talks with Dave Bottoms (SVP & GM of Marketplace at Upwork) about AI-powered hiring, instant interviews, the surge in demand for AI skills, and how freelancers can stay competitive without losing the human creativity and judgment that clients value. What you’ll learn: How AI is changing recruiting and interviews (speed, fairness, transparency) The freelance skills in highest demand (prompting, model training, AI integration) Smart ways freelancers use AI to boost productivity—without sacrificing quality Trust, bias, and the future role of AI agents in the freelance economy Watch to see how to thrive in the new freelance economy shaped by AI.

Most companies are racing to adopt generative and agentic AI — but many are skipping the most important steps. In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw is joined by Prem Natarajan, EVP, Chief Scientist, and Head of Enterprise AI at Capital One, for a candid discussion about what true AI readiness looks like in the enterprise. Learn why flashy demos aren’t enough — and what organizations must invest in to move beyond experimentation: Why data quality, cloud architecture, and talent are non-negotiables How Capital One built its own AI agent platform (and why most companies can’t yet) The difference between outputs vs. outcomes in agentic AI What “human in the loop” really means in 2025 Why trust must be earned — by the technology The overlooked role of governance, risk, and strategic patience AI success starts long before the first model is deployed.

For decades, quantum computing seemed like science fiction — complex, mysterious, and always “in the future.” But in 2025, that narrative is changing. In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw sits down with Murray Thom, VP of Quantum Technology Evangelism at D-Wave, to explore how quantum computing is already solving real-world problems. This includes workforce scheduling to materials science and even AI optimization. Learn why this isn’t a distant future technology anymore: The real reason 2025 may be the tipping point How companies like Ford and grocery chains are using quantum tech today Why quantum won’t replace classical computing — but will enhance it The surprising energy savings vs. supercomputers How quantum computing could help cure cancer, tackle climate change, and optimize AI training models