Bernard Marr's Future of Business & Technology Podcast

AI agents are becoming one of the biggest topics in enterprise technology, but there is a critical challenge many organizations are still overlooking: context.In this conversation, I speak with Massimo Merlo from Elastic about why context engineering is becoming essential for the next phase of enterprise AI. We explore why powerful AI models are not enough on their own, why real-time enterprise data matters, and how businesses can make AI systems more useful, reliable and secure.We also discuss the debate around AI agents and the future of enterprise software. Will agents abstract away traditional software, or is the real story about where value is moving in the technology stack? As AI becomes more embedded in workflows, search, retrieval, observability, governance and data infrastructure all become increasingly important.See how Elastic makes context engineering possible at https://www.elastic.co/elasticsearch/context-engineering #sponsored In this interview, we cover:

AI is changing how we search, browse, shop, learn and make decisions online. But as AI becomes the new interface to the internet, one big question emerges: will AI break the internet, or make it better?

In this interview from Bosch ConnectedWorld 2026, I speak with Dr. Tanja Rueckert, Member of the Board of Management and Chief Digital Officer at Bosch, about how AI is transforming industry and manufacturing.For many years, Industry 4.0 promised connected machines, better use of data and smarter factories. But according to Tanja, the real tipping point is happening now, as generative AI and agentic AI make it possible for machines to understand data, AI agents to trigger workflows and factories to become more self-adapting and self-optimizing.In this conversation, we explore how AI is changing the factory of the future, including the role of digital twins, industrial AI agents, human oversight and physical AI.Key topics include:

Autonomous AI and agentic AI are moving from experiments into real enterprise workflows. But are businesses truly ready to let AI systems plan, decide and take action on their behalf?In this interview, I speak with Shayan Mohanty, Chief Data and AI Officer at Thoughtworks, about the next phase of enterprise AI and what leaders need to do now to prepare.We explore the shift from AI assistants and copilots to autonomous agents, why governance and accountability need to be built into the architecture, and how enterprises can move beyond proof-of-concept projects toward scalable, production-grade AI systems.Shayan also explains why competitive advantage in the AI era may come less from access to the latest model and more from orchestration, AI-ready data, responsible engineering and the ability to redesign work around intelligent systems.This conversation is essential viewing for CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, CDOs and business leaders who want to understand what autonomous AI means for enterprise transformation, governance, software development and the future of work.If you'd like to explore how enterprises are preparing for this next wave of agentic AI, Thoughtworks' latest white paper, The Agentic Enterprise, offers practical perspectives and real-world insights.  https://www.thoughtworks.com/about-us/partnerships/cloud/aws/building-the-agentic-enterprise-ecosystem?utm_source=organic-influencer&utm_medium=influencer-marketing&utm_campaign=eai_tsi_rp-gl-pspt_rewire-for-agents_2026-05&utm_term=bernard-video-interview&utm_content=video#Sponsored Autonomous AI in the enterpriseAgentic AI and AI agentsAI governance and accountabilityEnterprise AI readinessMoving AI from pilots to productionAI-ready data and orchestrationThe future of software development#AutonomousAI #AgenticAI #EnterpriseAI #AIagents #ArtificialIntelligence #AIGovernance #AITransformation #DigitalTransformation #Thoughtworks #AIworks #FutureOfWork #BusinessTechnology

How should we really talk to AI, and how can we use tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini without losing our own judgment?In this episode of the Future Of Business And Technology podcast, I speak with Jamie Bartlett, author of How To Talk To AI, about one of the most important skills of the AI age: communicating well with intelligent machines.

AI is transforming business, work, leadership, education, healthcare, investing, and society. In this conversation, I sit down with Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, Manas AI and Inflection AI, founding team member at PayPal, pioneering investor in companies including OpenAI and Airbnb, author, podcaster, and one of the most influential thinkers in technology and entrepreneurship.We explore why Reid describes himself as a strategic optimist about AI, why leaders need to ask what could go right, and how AI could expand access to medical advice, legal support, education, government services, and personal productivity.

Most businesses are now using AI. Far fewer are transforming with it.

Is AI a threat to creative industries — or the most powerful tool artists have ever had?

AI is changing filmmaking, because it is shrinking the gap between imagination and a finished frame.

AI is changing communications and marketing faster than most organizations can keep up.In this in-depth conversation, I'm joined by Ephraim Cohen, Global Head of Data and Digital at FleischmanHillard, to explore how leading agencies are actually using AI in real workflows, not as experiments, but as everyday tools that improve strategy, creativity, and decision making.

What does CES 2026 really tell us about the future of technology, business, and geopolitics?

AI is moving beyond experimentation and into the backbone of the enterprise.In this interview, I sit down with Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer at Capgemini, to unpack TechnoVision 2026and the five technology trends that will reach an inflection point next year. We discuss how AI is reshaping software development, cloud architectures, and enterprise operations, and what this shift means for business leaders who want measurable impact rather than hype. #CapgeminiPartner #Sponsored

When the CEO of a major freelance platform tells his own employees that AI is coming for their jobs, including his, you know we're at a real inflection point.

Why are startups racing ahead with AI while half of enterprises remain stuck in pilot purgatory?

Are we approaching AI development all wrong? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Sean Kennedy from Nokia Bell Labs challenges four widespread beliefs that are actually slowing down AI innovation.

Artificial intelligence promises to transform everything, yet it could also stall progress if we get it wrong.

Surgery is being transformed before our eyes by robotics and AI

AI is changing how we live, work, and even how we think

What can 337 days in space teach us about leadership, innovation, and the future of humanity?In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Tom Marshburn, astronaut, physician, and executive at Sierra Space, to explore how space is shaping industries on Earth and opening new frontiers.We cover what it feels like to launch on three different spacecraft, how zero gravity is driving breakthroughs in medicine and semiconductors, why AI will be essential for missions to Mars, and the leadership lessons learned from commanding the International Space Station.

AI is evolving from a tool into a true collaborator, reshaping how we communicate and create. I am joined by Grant Lee, co-founder and CEO of Gamma, to discuss the rise of agentic AI, how startups can grow efficiently with lean teams, the risks and opportunities of AI in the workforce, and what the next decade of business and technology will look like

AI is changing how we write, but what if it could help us keep our own voice while making writing easier and more creative?I am joined by Pete DeLaurentis, founder of TextJam, to explore how his platform uses AI as a true co-writer, the challenges of writing tools like Word and Google Docs, why transparency matters in education and business, and what the next 10 years of AI in writing could look like.

What happens when AI can sell, negotiate, and even outperform humans, and leaders start rewarding employees who design the AI that replaces them?I am joined by Amanda Kahlow, founder and CEO of 1mind and co-founder of 6sense, to explore how AI superhumans are already closing deals, answering complex questions, and transforming the buyer experience. We also tackle her radical idea that companies should incentivise employees to build the AI that replaces them, creating new opportunities while reshaping leadership, empathy, and the future of work.

What happens when you mix life in zero gravity with the future of AI, climate tech, and humanity's greatest questions?I'm joined by British astronaut and STEM ambassador Tim Peake to explore everything from the awe-inspiring view of Earth from space, to space-based manufacturing, AI's role in decision-making, the growing space economy, and why inspiring the next generation has never been more important

The future of work isn't coming—it's already here, and it's being shaped by AI agents handling everything from customer service to strategic planning!

Discover how AI is evolving from simple automation to autonomous systems that can reason, plan, and execute tasks on your behalf!

Discover the exciting outcomes organizations are achieving with GenAI investments in 2025 and the surprising obstacles they're still facing!I'm joined by Brett Roscoe, Senior VP at Informatica, to discuss key findings from their CDO Insights 2025 report, exploring what's actually working in GenAI investment, practical strategies for turning data challenges into advantages, and how to drive competitive edge through AI adoption in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Join me as I explore how AI is revolutionizing businesses and creating an unprecedented era of hyper-innovation!

Discover why 40% of IT leaders feel their organizations are falling behind in AI adoption and learn the essential formula for success in the AI era!

If you want to move beyond the AI hype and understand what truly drives success with generative AI, this conversation will give you the practical insights you need.

In a world where AI is reshaping every industry, discover the most in-demand skills that will future-proof your career in 2025 and beyond.

In this fascinating conversation, I explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way businesses handle agreements and contracts, transforming static documents into intelligent assets that could save companies millions.

2024 saw quantum computing cross the threshold from theoretical possibility to practical reality, and now business leaders are racing to understand what this means for their future.

In today's AI-driven world, enterprises are drowning in digital complexity - juggling thousands of applications that create a tangled web holding back innovation and competitiveness.

Discover how AI is revolutionizing the energy sector and accelerating the transition to sustainable energy solutions!

Step inside the fascinating world of AI-powered healthcare transformation! 

Discover the game-changing AI and technology trends that will reshape business in 2025!