Today in Tech

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!

Etay Maor, a cybersecurity expert and adjunct professor at Boston College, dives into the hidden dangers of Shadow AI in this insightful discussion. He reveals how unsanctioned AI tools are leaking sensitive company data, making AI the weakest link in security. Maor explores how attackers are jailbreaking AI models to optimize fraud, phishing, and deepfakes. He emphasizes the critical need for organizations to enforce AI policies, monitor usage, and train employees to prevent accidental data leaks and ensure robust defenses against evolving cyber threats.

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.