In this episode, Matt is joined by Charlie Bell, Microsoft's EVP of Security, Compliance, Identity, and Management, to discuss the future of AI and its implications on cybersecurity.The conversation revolves around IDC's prediction of 1.3 billion AI agents by 2028, Charlie's insights from his recent writings 'Beware of Double Agents', and the crucial aspects of agentic Zero Trust.They explore the benefits and risks associated with AI agents, the importance of security culture, and strategies to mitigate potential threats.Charlie also shares his experiences working with Satya Nadella and the importance of collaboration and curiosity in leadership.--Key Moments:02:08 The Exponential Growth and Impact of AI Agents03:47 AI Agents: Beyond Conversational Interfaces05:48 Security Challenges in the Age of AI Agents06:57 Parallels Between Cloud Adoption and AI Agent Era09:19 Democratization of AI: From Developers to Everyone13:57 The Concept of Double Agents in AI16:07 New Attack Vectors and Security Concerns21:43 Combating Security Challenges in AI22:07 The Importance of Identity and Containment23:50 Alignment and Intent in AI Systems27:08 Observability and Accountability of AI Agents30:00 AI in Security and Assumed Breach33:17 Fostering a Culture of Security38:45 Leadership Insights from Satya Nadella--Key Links:MicrosoftConnect with Charlie on LinkedInMentioned in this episode:Free report from HatchWorks AI — State of AI 2026What’s real in AI this year, what’s hype, and what leaders should prioritize — including production lessons, designing for agents, and governance. https://hatchworks.com/state-of-ai-2026/AI Opportunity FinderFeeling overwhelmed by all the AI noise out there? The AI Opportunity Finder from HatchWorks cuts through the hype and gives you a clear starting point. In less than 5 minutes, you’ll get tailored, high-impact AI use cases specific to your business—scored by ROI so you know exactly where to start. Whether you're looking to cut costs, automate tasks, or grow faster, this free tool gives you a personalized roadmap built for action. 👉 Try it now at https://hatchworks.com/ai-opportunity-finder/

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.