The New Stack Podcast

In this discussion, Zach Lloyd, Founder and CEO of Warp, reveals how the Warp terminal has transformed into an agentic development environment. He introduces Warp Code, showcasing AI agents that assist in coding, debugging, and project management. Transparency in AI-generated code is emphasized, allowing developers to maintain control. Lloyd also shares the story behind their unique Western-themed product launch, featuring the quirky "Code on Warp" branding that set them apart. This evolution paves the way for a new era in coding productivity.

Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation, delves into the fragmented world of open source AI. He discusses the shift from foundational to open-weight models and emphasizes the need for a unified structure while valuing innovation. Zemlin views the industry's challenges regarding model transparency and the costs of developing frontier AI models with a pragmatic lens. He also highlights the growing open-source culture in China and the impacts of global regulations on the open source community, underscoring the fine balance between scale and agility.

Raj Verma, CEO of SingleStore, dives into the evolving landscape of enterprise AI. He reveals that less than 1% of enterprise data is currently utilized for AI, stressing the importance of aligning data strategies with AI aspirations. Raj outlines a three-phase evolution for AI, from automating simple tasks to achieving the seemingly impossible. He critiques legacy systems and advocates for modern, unified data platforms to meet the high demands of agentic AI, emphasizing the urgent need for enterprises to transform their data infrastructure.

Tzvika Shneider, CEO and co-founder of Pynt, an innovative API security startup, dives into the pitfalls of the Model Context Protocol (MCP). He reveals how MCP, evolving from traditional APIs, is fraught with vulnerabilities as AI agents begin to connect. Shneider emphasizes that 72% of MCP plugins expose high-risk operations without proper validation. He points out that while MCP exploits are rare now, most organizations are ill-equipped to manage these security challenges. His insights underscore the urgent need to enhance security measures in this rapidly changing tech landscape.

Rahul Auradkar, Executive VP and GM at Salesforce, shares his journey from a cricket-loving youth in India to a leader in data evolution. He discusses the transition from relational databases to modern data solutions, unveiling the importance of 'data exhaust' for businesses. Auradkar highlights challenges posed by data silos and emphasizes the necessity of unifying these to enhance business interactions. He also dives into how generative AI can elevate data practices, paving the way for more productive and seamless enterprise experiences.

In this week’s episode ofThe New Stack Agents, Scott Carey, editor-in-chief of LeadDev, discussed their first AI Impact Report, which explores how engineering teams are adopting AI tools. The report shows that two-thirds of developers are actively using AI, with another 20% in pilot stages and only 2% having no plans to use AI — a group Carey finds particularly intriguing. Popular tools include Cursor (43%) and GitHub Copilot (37%), with others like OpenAI, Gemini, and Claude following, while Amazon Q and Replit lag behind.Most developers use AI for code generation, documentation, and research, but usage for DevOps tasks like testing, deployment, and IT automation remains low. Carey finds this underutilization frustrating, given AI's potential impact in these areas. The report also highlights concern for junior developers, with 54% of respondents expecting fewer future hires at that level. While many believe AI boosts productivity, some remain unsure — a sign that organizations still struggle to measure developer performance effectively.Learn more from The New Stack about the latest insights about the AI tool adoption: AI Adoption: Why Businesses Struggle to Move from Development to Production3 Strategies for Speeding Up AI Adoption Among DevelopersAI Everywhere: Overcoming Barriers to AdoptionJoin our community of newsletter subscribers to stay on top of the news and at the top of your game. 

In a dynamic conversation, Sid Sheth, Founder and CEO of d-Matrix, dives into the complexities of AI inference. He emphasizes that inference isn't a one-size-fits-all challenge and requires specialized hardware for different needs. Sid introduces d-Matrix's innovative modular platform, Corsair, designed to minimize memory-compute distance for faster performance. He also explores the parallels between human learning and AI deployment, and stresses the necessity for tailored infrastructure to enhance enterprise AI integration.

Naveen Rao, VP of AI at Databricks and former neuroscientist, dives into the evolution of AI, emphasizing the need for energy-efficient systems rather than brute-force scaling. He warns against the impending 'model collapse' of large language models due to reliance on AI-generated content. Rao argues for grounding AI in reality and rethinking traditional approaches, suggesting that true intelligence should mimic biological efficiency. His insights challenge current methodologies and highlight the importance of observational learning in AI development.

Burkay Gur, Co-founder and CEO of Fal.ai, and Glenn Solomon, Managing Partner at Notable Capital, dive into the evolution of generative media. They discuss Fal.ai's shift from optimizing machine learning infrastructure to hosting diverse media models, emphasizing the competitive edge of speed. Gur highlights how generative AI transforms creativity, noting that while creation costs have dropped, true creative value remains. Solomon reflects on the changing landscape of venture capital in AI, focusing on model customization and the balance between technology and creativity.

Paul Klein IV, founder of Browserbase and its tool Stagehand, is reshaping the way AI interacts with the web. He discusses the limitations of traditional headless browsers and how his tool empowers AI agents to interpret natural-language commands, adapting to ever-changing web elements. Klein envisions a future where AI can handle complex tasks like filing taxes independently. He also shares insights on the challenges of ethical AI practices, the integration of open-source tools, and the necessity of security in AI operations.