AI at Work

Tech Talks Network

What does AI really mean for the modern workplace, and are we ready for what comes next? AI at Work is a podcast from the Tech Talks Network, the home of conversations that showcase the voices at the heart of enterprise technology. You may know me from Tech Talks Daily, where we explore a different area of innovation in every episode. This show offers a focused look at one of the most significant shifts in business: how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work.. AI at Work is a podcast from the Tech Talks Network, the home of conversations that showcase the voices at the heart of enterprise technology. You may know me from Tech Talks Daily, where we explore a different area of innovation in every episode. This show takes a focused look at one of the biggest shifts in business: how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work. From intelligent automation to agentic AI and from the promise of workplace efficiency to the risks of unintended consequences, we aim to provide a grounded and accessible perspective on how AI is shaping the future of work. If you’re using AI in your business or thinking about how to get started, this podcast is your chance to learn from the people already doing it.

  1. Agentic AI, Governance, and the Future of Work Inside the Enterprise

    12 HR AGO

    Agentic AI, Governance, and the Future of Work Inside the Enterprise

    Are today’s AI tools actually doing the work, or are they still sitting on the sidelines offering advice that humans have to act on? In this episode of the AI at Work podcast, I sat down with Oren Michels, Founder and CEO of Barndoor AI, to explore why so much enterprise AI still feels stuck in what he calls “advisor mode.” We talked about the gap between AI that summarizes and AI that acts, and why that distinction matters far more to knowledge workers than most leaders realize. Oren drew on his experience building Mashery during the early days of APIs, drawing a clear parallel between then and now, when powerful technology exists but remains inaccessible to the people who actually need to use it. We spent a lot of time unpacking what true agentic AI really means inside the enterprise. For Oren, it is not about smarter chatbots or recycled RPA workflows, but about agents that can safely take action inside systems like Salesforce, CRMs, and other tools of record. We discussed why so many AI initiatives fail to deliver ROI, and why the missing skill is often not prompt engineering, but the ability to break real business problems into clear, executable instructions that an AI agent can actually follow. Governance became a central theme in our conversation, especially as we dug into the Model Context Protocol, or MCP. While MCP is emerging as a powerful standard for connecting AI to enterprise tools, Oren explained why it also introduces new security, cost, and control challenges if left unchecked. We explored why governance should act as a launchpad rather than a brake, how least-privilege access changes the conversation, and why the most important question is not how a model was trained, but what it can do with access right now. If you are thinking seriously about agentic AI, enterprise adoption, or how to prevent “bring your own AI” from becoming the next wave of shadow IT, this episode will give you a grounded, experience-led perspective on what actually needs to change inside organizations. As AI agents begin to operate at speed and scale across core systems, are your guardrails designed to stop progress, or to make it possible to move forward with confidence? I would love to hear your thoughts after listening. How close do you think we really are to AI that acts, not just advises? Useful Links Connect with Oren MichelsLearn more about Barndoor AI Thanks to our sponsors, Alcor, for supporting the show.

    32 min
  2. Writer and the Real ROI of AI at Work, Beyond Productivity Metrics

    21/12/2025

    Writer and the Real ROI of AI at Work, Beyond Productivity Metrics

    What does AI at work really look like once the conference buzz fades and teams have to turn ambition into execution? In this episode of the AI at Work Podcast, I sit down with Diego Lomanto, Chief Marketing Officer at Writer, to unpack how marketing teams are actually using AI and agents inside real enterprise workflows. Diego brings a grounded perspective shaped by more than two decades in enterprise software, spanning analytics, automation, and now AI, including his time leading product marketing at UiPath during its rapid growth years. We talk candidly about why AI adoption often stalls inside organizations, not because of the technology, but because leadership behavior, operating models, and incentives fail to evolve. Diego explains why C-level executives need to get hands-on first, why AI should be treated as a transformation of how work gets done rather than another IT rollout, and how marketing leaders need to rethink team structure, workflows, and success metrics in an agent-driven world. The conversation digs into what Diego calls an agentic marketing playbook, where AI handles speed and scale while humans remain firmly in charge of narrative, judgment, and creative direction. From automating repetitive content workflows to freeing up time for deeper customer relationships and high-touch engagement, Diego shares how Writer and its customers, including large consumer brands and regulated enterprises, are using agents to support people rather than sideline them. We also explore how Writer uses its own technology internally, what surprised Diego once AI agents were fully embedded into day-to-day marketing operations, and why change management and AI literacy matter just as much as model quality. As organizations look ahead to 2026, this episode offers a clear-eyed view of where AI-driven work is heading next, from departmental orchestration to deeper collaboration across marketing, sales, and product teams. If AI is quickly becoming table stakes, how will your organization use it to automate the repeatable while keeping humans as the real source of differentiation? Useful Links Connect with Diego Lomanto Learn More About Writer Denodo sponsors Tech Talks Network

    42 min
  3. How RingCentral Uses AI to Improve Conversations Without Losing the Human Touch

    15/12/2025

    How RingCentral Uses AI to Improve Conversations Without Losing the Human Touch

    As AI moves beyond hype and into everyday operations, many organizations are asking harder questions about impact, trust, and return on investment. Three years on from ChatGPT’s breakout moment, leaders are no longer experimenting for novelty’s sake. They want to know where AI genuinely improves outcomes for employees and customers, and where it risks getting in the way. In this episode of the AI at Work Podcast, I sit down with John Finch, Head of Product Marketing at RingCentral, to unpack how AI is changing customer interactions before, during, and after the call. We explore how tools like AI receptionists and real time agent assistance are helping businesses avoid missed calls, reduce friction, and support frontline teams without turning conversations into scripted or robotic exchanges. John shares RingCentral’s perspective on why voice remains one of the richest and most strategic data sources inside modern organizations. We discuss how insights drawn from real conversations are shaping smarter routing, coaching, and workforce planning, and why sectors like healthcare and financial services are leaning into AI faster than others. At the same time, we address the common mistakes companies make when they bolt AI onto fragmented systems rather than embedding it into a unified platform. Looking ahead to 2026, this conversation also reflects on what AI done well really looks like in the workplace. Not as a replacement for people, but as a way to remove pressure, improve performance, and create better experiences for everyone involved. As AI becomes more natural, conversational, and embedded into daily workflows, the line between digital and human support continues to blur. So as AI becomes part of the fabric of customer operations, how are you balancing automation with empathy, and what lessons from your own organization would you share with others navigating this shift?

    31 min
  4. How SMBs Can Stay Visible in an AI Driven Holiday Season

    24/11/2025

    How SMBs Can Stay Visible in an AI Driven Holiday Season

    What happens when holiday shopping habits shift faster than most small businesses can keep up, and AI becomes the first stop for gift ideas, local searches, and product discovery? In my conversation with Alicia Pringle, Senior Director of Online Marketing at Network Solutions, we look at how the rise of AI-assisted search is changing the game for small business visibility during the busiest season of the year. Alicia brings two decades of marketing experience and a front row seat to the rapid evolution of search, and she breaks down what is really happening behind the scenes as shoppers move from typing into Google to asking Gemini, ChatGPT, and other assistants for personal recommendations. Alicia explains how early holiday behaviour has become and why the traditional mid-December surge is now simply a final sweep rather than the main event. She talks through the surge in AI driven discovery and how more than a third of shoppers now ask AI for curated suggestions with specific personal details baked in. This has created a rare moment where small businesses can compete with large retailers again because AI search rewards clarity, genuine content, and trustworthy online signals rather than the size of a marketing budget. Her examples make it clear that websites, local listings, and social channels now act as one connected reputation system, and AI will only surface businesses that look consistent, human, and helpful across all of them. Throughout our conversation, Alicia brings the ideas to life with practical stories. She shares how a retreat centre in Arizona used smarter positioning, thoughtful content, and simple updates to pull in hundreds of organic clicks right as shoppers were searching for meaningful holiday gifts. She explains how small changes to website speed, photos, clarity, and mobile performance can lift a business in both traditional search and AI powered assistants, often in a matter of hours rather than months. And she makes a strong case for curiosity as the new essential skill, because leaders do not need to understand the mechanics of AI to benefit from it, they simply need to be willing to experiment. As AI search becomes part of everyday life, Alicia’s message is grounding. Visibility can be earned again. Small businesses can adapt. Modern tools can remove a lot of the technical pain. And with a few thoughtful changes, brands can still show up in those key digital moments when customers are ready to buy. So how should small businesses use this moment to build trust, stay discoverable, and meet shoppers where they already are? I would love to hear your thoughts.

    33 min
  5. What Designed AGI Means for Business Leaders

    20/11/2025

    What Designed AGI Means for Business Leaders

    What happens when a field races forward faster than society can understand it, let alone shape it? And how do we balance the promise of superintelligence with the responsibility to ensure it reflects the values of the people it will eventually serve? In this episode of AI at Work, I sit down with Dr Craig Kaplan, founder and CEO of iQ Company and SuperIntelligence. He's also a pioneer who has been building intelligent systems since the 1980s, and one of the few voices urging a deliberate, safer path toward AGI. Craig brings decades of perspective to a debate often dominated by short-term thinking, sharing why speed without design can become a trap and why the next breakthroughs must be grounded in intention rather than chance. Throughout our conversation, Craig explains why current alignment methods often rely on narrow viewpoints, which creates both ethical and technical blind spots. He shares his belief that the values guiding future intelligence should come from millions of people across cultures rather than a handful of researchers writing a constitution behind closed doors. Drawing on his work at Predict Wall Street, he illustrates how collective intelligence can outperform experts, why diverse viewpoints matter, and how these lessons shape the architecture he believes is needed for safe AGI and the superintelligent systems that follow. His clarity on the difference between tools and entities, and how quickly AI is shifting into the latter category, offers a grounding moment for anyone trying to navigate what comes next. This episode moves beyond fear and hype. Craig talks openly about risk, but he also brings optimism about the potential for systems that are safer, faster to build, less costly, and more reflective of humanity. For leaders wondering how to prepare their organisations, he shares what signals to watch, why transparency and design matter, and how a more democratic approach to intelligence could shift the odds of a better outcome. If you want a clear, thoughtful look at the road ahead for AGI, superintelligence, and the role humans still play in shaping both, you will find a lot to chew on here. Listeners wanting to learn more can explore superintelligence.com, where Craig and the iQ Company team share research, videos, papers, and ways to get involved. What part of this conversation sparks your own questions about the future we are building together? Sponsored by NordLayer: Get the exclusive Black Friday offer: 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with the coupon code: techdaily-28. Valid until December 10th, 2025. Try it risk-free with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

    44 min
  6. The HR Revolution You Haven’t Heard About Yet: AI That Empowers People

    07/11/2025

    The HR Revolution You Haven’t Heard About Yet: AI That Empowers People

    I sit down with Toby Hough, Vice President of People and Culture at HiBob, for a grounded and human conversation about how AI is reshaping the world of work, not by replacing people but by amplifying them. As an HR leader inside a company that builds HR technology, Toby brings a rare perspective on what it really means to balance efficiency with empathy in an AI-driven workplace. We talk about the fear that still surrounds AI in many organisations and how leaders can help shift that mindset from anxiety to opportunity. Toby explains why HiBob is taking a “more with more” approach, using AI tools to empower employees rather than reduce headcount. From custom-built AI coaches that guide managers through feedback conversations to an internal platform with dozens of homegrown AI tools, he shares how democratising AI access can transform both productivity and trust. Toby also explores how leaders can measure success in this new era, moving beyond cost savings to focus on adoption, engagement, and well-being. He highlights the delicate balance between automation and human connection, showing how HiBob invests equally in AI enablement and in-person leadership development. As we look ahead, Toby reflects on the evolving skills required to lead both humans and AI agents, and how the next generation of leaders will need to master curiosity, adaptability, and collaboration across both worlds. Listen in for an honest discussion about the cultural, emotional, and practical realities of integrating AI at work, and why, Toby’s LinkedIn HiBob websiteIn Good Company website Sponsored by NordLayer: Get the exclusive Black Friday offer: 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with the coupon code: techdaily-28. Valid until December 10th, 2025. Try it risk-free with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

    42 min
  7. The Future of Work: HGS on Adaptability, AI, and Human Advantage

    05/11/2025

    The Future of Work: HGS on Adaptability, AI, and Human Advantage

    The arrival of generative AI has sparked an uncomfortable question for many young professionals: What happens to entry-level jobs when machines can now write, analyze, and even converse as well as humans? In this episode of the AI at Work Podcast, I reconnect with Anshuman Singh, CEO of HGS UK, to discuss how automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping the early stages of a career, and what skills will define employability in the years ahead. Anshuman brings a rare blend of optimism and realism to the debate. He traces how AI’s evolution from statistical tools to generative systems has amplified both opportunities and anxieties, particularly among graduates seeking their first big break. Drawing on research from MIT, ADP, and the World Economic Forum, he explains how AI is accelerating job displacement in certain functions, such as data entry and basic customer service, even as it creates entirely new roles in areas like AI training, ethics, and human-in-the-loop supervision. We explore why adaptability, not fear, is the true competitive advantage in this era of rapid change. Anshuman breaks down three categories of emerging roles: AI specialist positions such as prompt engineers, collaborative roles that blend human creativity with machine intelligence, and augmented roles where humans use AI to enhance judgment and performance. He also warns that if companies automate entry-level work too quickly, they risk losing the apprenticeships and on-the-job learning that build leadership pipelines. Our conversation turns to the human qualities that machines still cannot replicate, such as empathy, ethical reasoning, creative problem solving, and contextual understanding, and why these traits will define long-term success. Anshuman offers practical advice for workers and business leaders alike: redesign roles to keep humans in the loop, measure success by both human impact and automation, and invest relentlessly in learning cultures that help people evolve alongside technology. If you are worried about AI replacing your job, this episode reframes the story. It is not about competing with machines; it is about understanding what only humans can do and leveraging that as your edge. AI at Work is Sponsored by NordLayer: Get the exclusive Black Friday offer: 28% off NordLayer yearly plans with the coupon code: techdaily-28. Valid until December 10th, 2025. Try it risk-free with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

    36 min
  8. Inside LaunchDarkly’s Mission to Make AI Safer for Software Delivery

    29/10/2025

    Inside LaunchDarkly’s Mission to Make AI Safer for Software Delivery

    In this episode of AI at Work, I sit down with Tom Totenberg, Head of Release Automation and Observability at LaunchDarkly, to explore what happens when artificial intelligence starts writing and shipping our software faster than humans can think. Tom brings a rare blend of technical insight and grounded realism to one of the most important conversations in modern software development: how to balance speed, safety, and responsibility in an AI-driven world. We discuss the hidden risks of AI-fuelled shortcuts in software delivery and why over-reliance on AI-generated code can create dangerous blind spots. Tom explains how observability and real-time monitoring are becoming essential to maintaining trust and stability as teams adopt AI across the full development lifecycle. Drawing on LaunchDarkly’s recent investments into observability, he breaks down how guarded releases and real-time metrics are helping teams catch problems before users ever notice. From the dangers of “vibe coding” to the rise of agentic AI in software pipelines, Tom shares why AI should be seen as an amplifier rather than a magic fix. He also offers practical advice for leaders trying to balance innovation with caution, reminding us that the goal is to innovate with intention — to measure what matters and build resilience through feedback and transparency. Recorded during his time in New York, this episode captures both the human and technical sides of what it means to deliver software in an era where the line between automation and accountability is being redrawn.

    30 min
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About

What does AI really mean for the modern workplace, and are we ready for what comes next? AI at Work is a podcast from the Tech Talks Network, the home of conversations that showcase the voices at the heart of enterprise technology. You may know me from Tech Talks Daily, where we explore a different area of innovation in every episode. This show offers a focused look at one of the most significant shifts in business: how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work.. AI at Work is a podcast from the Tech Talks Network, the home of conversations that showcase the voices at the heart of enterprise technology. You may know me from Tech Talks Daily, where we explore a different area of innovation in every episode. This show takes a focused look at one of the biggest shifts in business: how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work. From intelligent automation to agentic AI and from the promise of workplace efficiency to the risks of unintended consequences, we aim to provide a grounded and accessible perspective on how AI is shaping the future of work. If you’re using AI in your business or thinking about how to get started, this podcast is your chance to learn from the people already doing it.

Information

  • Channel
    Tech Talks Network
  • Creator
    Neil C. Hughes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tech Talks Network 2025
  • Show Website
    AI at Work

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