Bernard Marr's Future of Business & Technology Podcast

Hosted by Bernard Marr

Technology Business Management Careers

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Episodes

289

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

In this podcast, Bernard Marr explores the biggest trends and questions in business and technology

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 2, 202624 min

Why Context Is The Missing Piece In Enterprise AI

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: 🤖 The current state of enterprise AI 📊 Why many organizations are still stuck in pilots and demos 🧠 What context engineering means in simple business terms 🔎 Why search, retrieval and real-time data are critical for AI agents 🔐 How context helps make AI more reliable, secure and governed 🚀 What leaders should do now to prepare for the future of enterprise AI If you are interested in enterprise AI, AI agents, generative AI, data strategy, AI governance, context engineering or the future of business technology, this conversation offers a practical look at what comes next. #Sponsored #ElasticPartnership #EnterpriseAI #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #GenerativeAI #AIAgents #ContextEngineering #DataStrategy #AIGovernance #Elastic #FutureOfWork #BusinessTechnology #DigitalTransformation

July 2, 202644 min

Will AI Break The Internet, Or Make It Better?

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 conversation, I’m joined by Anthony Enzor-DeMeo, CEO of Mozilla, the company behind Firefox and one of the strongest voices for an open, trusted and user-controlled web. We explore how AI agents could reshape search, why the browser may become one of the most important AI layers, and what happens when AI systems start deciding what information we see, what products we buy and which sources we trust. Anthony also shares Mozilla’s perspective on choice, consent and transparency, including why Firefox is taking an independent approach to AI, why users should be able to choose their preferred AI models, and why “nothing creepy” should be a guiding principle for the future of online advertising. We also discuss the risks of a more closed internet, the importance of open source AI models, how AI could support global access to knowledge, and what business leaders can learn from Mozilla’s approach to building trust into products from the start. 🚀 In this episode, we cover: How AI is becoming the new front door to the internet Why AI agents could change search forever The role of browsers in the AI era How Firefox is approaching AI differently Why user choice and consent matter The future of AI-powered advertising The risks of hidden influence and sponsored AI recommendations Why open source AI models are important for access How business leaders can build trust into AI products What a healthier AI-powered internet could look like

July 2, 202614 min

How AI Is Transforming Manufacturing: Tanja Rueckert On The Future Of Industry

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: 🤖 Why Industry 4.0 is evolving into AI-enabled manufacturing 🏭 What the factory of the future could look like 🧠 How engineering digital twins can become operational digital twins ⚙️ How AI agents can support maintenance, optimization and decision-making 👷 How jobs and skills will change as people work with digital teammates 🔐 Why safety, trust and human-in-the-loop control are critical in industrial AI 🚀 The future of robotics, software-defined systems and quantum computing Tanja also explains Bosch’s role in this transformation, drawing on its deep expertise in the physical world, from manufacturing and mobility to buildings, energy and consumer products. The big takeaway: AI in industry is moving beyond dashboards and connectivity. It is becoming embedded in the systems, machines and workflows that keep the physical world running. #Sponsored #BoschPartnership #BoschConnectedWorld #BCW26 #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Manufacturing #Industry40 #PhysicalAI #AgenticAI #DigitalTwins #IndustrialAI #Robotics #FutureOfManufacturing #DigitalTransformation

July 2, 202655 min

Autonomous AI Is Here, But Are Enterprises Ready?

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 enterprise Agentic AI and AI agents AI governance and accountability Enterprise AI readiness Moving AI from pilots to production AI-ready data and orchestration The future of software development #AutonomousAI #AgenticAI #EnterpriseAI #AIagents #ArtificialIntelligence #AIGovernance #AITransformation #DigitalTransformation #Thoughtworks #AIworks #FutureOfWork #BusinessTechnology

July 2, 202658 min

How To Talk To AI With Jamie Bartlett

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. 🤖💬 We explore why prompt engineering is only part of the story, and why the real skill lies in developing better habits when using AI. Jamie explains why we should ask whether we need AI for a task in the first place, why the first answer from a language model should always be treated as a draft and how AI can become a powerful creative partner when we push it beyond bland, average responses. 💡 We also discuss the risks of AI sycophancy, where chatbots flatter us, agree with us and reinforce our assumptions. Jamie shares practical ways to challenge AI outputs, use AI as a devil’s advocate and avoid outsourcing our thinking to machines. 🧠 This conversation also covers AI in education, mental health, autonomous agents, privacy, creativity and the future of human judgment in a world where AI is becoming part of everyday work and life. If you want to understand how to use AI more effectively, how to get better answers from AI tools and how to stay in control while working with intelligent machines, this conversation is for you. 🚀 Topics Covered: How to talk to AI more effectively Why prompt engineering is really about better habits How to get better answers from ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini Why the first AI answer should be treated as a draft How AI can boost creativity and idea generation The danger of AI flattery and sycophancy How to use AI as a devil’s advocate Why we must protect human judgment AI in education, work and mental health The risks of autonomous AI agents How to use AI without becoming too dependent on it #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ChatGPT #GenerativeAI #PromptEngineering #HowToTalkToAI #JamieBartlett #FutureOfWork #AITools #BusinessTechnology #AIEducation #AIProductivity #HumanJudgment #ClaudeAI #GeminiAI

July 2, 202648 min

Reid Hoffman On AI, Superagency, And The Future Of Work

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. 🤖 We also discuss the practical side of AI adoption inside organizations, including why so many companies get stuck in pilot purgatory, why AI should become part of everyday meetings and workflows, and how leaders can build a culture of experimentation and learning. Reid shares his views on AI agents, the future of work, the changing role of junior employees, agent management as a core skill, and why young people can turn AI fluency into a major career advantage. We also cover where competitive advantage comes from in an age of powerful foundation models, how AI is changing investing, why domain expertise still matters, and what AI could mean for healthcare and drug discovery. Finally, we explore the risks of AI, including cybercrime, social disruption, responsible deployment, and the debate around AGI and superintelligence. Reid explains why leaders need to move fast, learn continuously, and steer AI toward better outcomes for people, businesses, and society. 🌍 Topics covered include: AI and the future of work AI agents and agentic AI Reid Hoffman on Superagency AI strategy for business leaders How companies can move beyond AI pilots AI, healthcare and drug discovery AI skills for young people The future of jobs and junior roles Responsible AI adoption AGI, superintelligence and AI risk How AI will reshape organizations Strategic optimism and what could go right with AI #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ReidHoffman #FutureOfWork #AgenticAI #AIAgents #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #Technology #Innovation #Superagency #GenerativeAI #AILeadership #FutureOfBusiness

July 2, 202657 min

The Future Of Google Search, Maps And AI Agents

🌍🤖 How is Google reimagining Search, Maps, and AI agents for the next era of technology? In this interview, I speak with Nick Fox, Senior Vice President of Knowledge and Information Products at Google, about the future of Google Search, AI Overviews, AI Mode, Google Maps, agentic AI, reasoning models, personal intelligence, digital trust, and how AI is transforming product development at scale. We explore how Google is enabling more natural and specific questions in Search, how AI can help people discover better answers faster, how Maps is becoming more context-aware, and how agentic AI may soon help with booking, research, and decision-making. We also discuss the future of online content, the role of advertising in AI-powered search, and why trust, transparency, and user choice matter so much in the next generation of AI products. This is a must-watch conversation for anyone interested in artificial intelligence, Google Search, AI agents, the future of Maps, digital advertising, product innovation, and where AI is taking us next. 📈💡 #Google #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #GoogleSearch #GoogleMaps #AIAgents #AgenticAI #GenerativeAI #FutureOfSearch #NickFox #BernardMarr #TechnologyTrends #DigitalTransformation #AIInnovation

July 2, 202625 min

The AI Transformation Gap: Why Most Businesses Are Getting It Wrong

Most businesses are now using AI. Far fewer are transforming with it. 🤖 In this episode, I sit down with Tanuja Randery, VP and Managing Director of AWS EMEA, to unpack the findings of AWS's latest Unlocking Europe's AI Potential report, one of the most comprehensive studies of AI adoption across European businesses, and explore what the findings mean for business leaders everywhere. We cover what the data actually shows about how companies are using AI, why most are stuck at the basic stage, and what it takes to move into truly transformative AI deployment. Tanuja shares real-world examples from companies like Ericsson and Debenhams, explains why agentic AI is the next major dividing line for businesses, and gives her honest assessment of the three barriers, skills gaps, regulatory fragmentation, and access to funding, that are holding organizations back from their full AI potential. We also get practical. Tanuja shares her top advice for CEOs who want to scale AI successfully, including why top-down commitment is non-negotiable and why keeping AI separate from core business strategy is one of the most common and costly mistakes leaders make. 💡 Whether you're a business leader, a technology professional, or simply trying to understand where AI is heading in 2026, this conversation is packed with insight and real data. 🕐 What we cover: 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Why AI adoption has reached a tipping point 05:00 The AI transformation gap and what it means for your business 09:00 Real-world examples of advanced AI adoption 13:00 Agentic AI and why it changes everything 17:00 The three barriers holding businesses back 22:00 What CEOs need to do to scale AI successfully 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the world's leading business and technology thinkers. 👉 Read the full AWS Unlocking Europe's AI Potential 2026 report: https://www.unlockingeuropesaipotential.com #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #DigitalTransformation #AIStrategy #FutureOfWork #BusinessLeadership #AgenticAI #AWS #AITransformation #CEOInsights #BernardMarr #TanujaRandery #Innovation #TechLeadership #AIAdoption

July 2, 202658 min

Why AI Is A Game-Changer For Creatives, And Why The Creative Industries Must Fight For Their Rights

Is AI a threat to creative industries — or the most powerful tool artists have ever had? 🎨🤖 In this episode, I sit down with Manon Dave, AI futurist, technologist, and Head of Future World Design at BBC R&D, for a wide-ranging conversation on how artificial intelligence is reshaping entertainment, music, film, and the creator economy. Manon has collaborated with Will.i.am, Idris Elba, Snoop Dogg, and Hans Zimmer, and has built innovative music tech products used by artists around the world. Now, at BBC R&D, he's leading a team exploring how AI, immersive technology, and new formats can help one of the world's most iconic media institutions reach the next generation of audiences and creators. 🎵 In this interview, we cover: - Why AI is an enabler for creativity, not a replacement for it - How to think about AI as a creative collaborator, not just a tool - The AutoTune parallel — and what it tells us about where AI is heading - Real-world examples of adaptive, AI-powered experiences (including a collaboration with Will.i.am and Mercedes) - What BBC R&D's Future World Design team is actually building - Why consent and fair attribution are critical for the future of the creative industries - What ethical AI looks like in practice for artists and creators - How AI is shifting power dynamics between creatives, platforms, and audiences - Advice for young people entering creative industries in an AI-driven world - What entertainment will look like in 10 years 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on the future of business and technology. 👍 If you found this valuable, please like and share — it helps others find conversations like this one. 📩 Want to work with me or learn more? Visit bernardmarr.com #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #CreativeIndustries #FutureOfWork #AIandCreativity #DigitalTransformation #BBCRandD #MusicTechnology #ImmersiveTech #ContentCreators #CreatorEconomy #AIEthics #FutureOfEntertainment #AItools #TechPodcast #BernardMarr #Innovation #MachineLearning #GenerativeAI #DigitalMedia

February 26, 202649 min

How AI Is Rewiring Filmmaking

AI is changing filmmaking, because it is shrinking the gap between imagination and a finished frame. 🎥🤖 In this conversation with Samir Mallal and Bouha Kazmi, co-founders of OneDay, we explore how director-led AI workflows are reshaping the creative process, from story development and character choices to building cinematic scenes through rapid iteration. We talk about why iteration is becoming a creative advantage, how directors can steer generative tools with intention, and why human taste, judgment, and story sense are still the difference between “watchable” and “worth watching.” 🎬🧠 You’ll also hear how they bring traditional craft into AI production, including performance and voice, and why originality at the inception stage matters even more as content volume increases. We also unpack the big questions around copyright, standards, and trust, and what a more responsible AI filmmaking ecosystem could look like. ⚖️ Finally, Samir and Bouha share why OneDay is raising funds right now, and how they plan to grow while keeping craft at the center. 🚀 If you care about AI video generation, the future of filmmaking, generative storytelling, creative leadership, and where media goes next, this episode is for you. 👍 If you found it useful, please like, subscribe, and share. #AI #GenerativeAI #Filmmaking #AIVideo #ContentCreation #Storytelling #FutureOfMedia #MediaTech #CreativeIndustry #VideoProduction #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #FutureOfWork