Today in Tech

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.

Murray Thom, VP of Quantum Technology Evangelism at D-Wave and a pioneer in the commercial quantum computing field, discusses the groundbreaking shift in quantum technology set for 2025. He highlights how it's already impacting industries like finance and retail through improved scheduling and logistics. Thom addresses misconceptions, emphasizing that quantum will enhance, not replace, classical computing. He envisions exciting future applications, including advancements in personalized medicine and climate solutions, signaling a transformative era ahead.

As enterprises embrace agentic AI, the cybersecurity challenges are multiplying. In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw sits down with Lee Klarich, Chief Product Officer at Palo Alto Networks, to explore the growing concerns around AI security — from prompt injection and rogue agents to emerging attack vectors enabled by autonomous AI systems. Lee breaks down the three core risk categories facing companies in 2025: Misuse and lack of visibility into generative AI tools New attack surfaces opened by copilots and embedded agents The looming threat of AI-powered attackers and autonomous red teaming tools They also cover: The evolution of security from generative AI to agentic AI Real-world vulnerabilities already observed in agent communication protocols (MCP) Why discovery and control are the first steps in protecting AI deployments How security teams can evolve their playbooks without slowing down innovation The optimistic case for AI as a force multiplier for defenders—not just attackers Will the defenders stay one step ahead, or are we building systems we can’t control? This episode delivers must-watch insights for CISOs, security engineers, and tech leaders navigating the next phase of AI adoption.

Artificial intelligence is powerful, but are businesses using it the wrong way? In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw sits down with Alan Trefler, Founder and CEO of Pega, to discuss why so many AI projects are failing and how companies can still unlock real value from generative AI and agentic AI. Alan shares why organizations confuse design-time AI (for creativity and planning) with run-time AI (for execution and reliability), and why that mistake leads to unscalable, risky, and sometimes embarrassing outcomes. From failed AI pilots to the hype around agents, Alan breaks down: Why at least 40% of AI projects fail The dangers of running your business on “prompts” The three categories of AI every business leader must understand How workflows, not prompts, create predictability and trust The future of agentic AI, and how to avoid repeating today’s mistakes

From spotting weapons and detecting smoke to predicting where incidents are most likely to occur, artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of physical security. In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw and guest James Benum explore how AI-powered cameras, drones, and large language models are improving response times, reducing false alarms, and helping security teams work smarter. They also discuss the balance between safety and privacy, the convergence of cyber and physical security, and why humans will always play a vital role in protecting people and property.