In this episode of the Next Thing Now Podcast, Ang McKenna, an award-winning head of people and culture, shares her journey in HR and the evolving landscape of workplace culture. She discusses the importance of mental health, the shift from traditional HR to a people-centric approach, and the impact of AI on employee anxiety and job security.

Ang emphasises the need for organisations to build trust, adapt to generational differences, and foster resilience among employees. The conversation also explores the challenges of remote work, the role of leadership in navigating change, and the future of work in a technology-driven environment.

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In this conversation, Rob details his AI lead weekend trip. He just did as he was told. And it was an interesting experience!

Rob and Kev explore the nature of AI as a predictive tool, drawing parallels between AI behaviour and human cognition. What does it mean as the AI enters the era of experience.

They discuss the potential for AI to learn and adapt like humans, the challenges of integrating AI into organisations, and the critical role of leadership in navigating these changes.

The conversation emphasises the importance of individual responsibility in adapting to the rapidly changing technological environment.

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Rob Borley and Kevin Smith discuss the evolution of software development. 

They explore the complexities of traditional software engineering, the importance of maintaining quality and safety in software, and the balance between rapid prototyping and thorough development. 

Thinking fast, build slow. This is Vibe Coding for grown-ups. This is how professional should use the new wave of tools and techniques. And what to avoid.

The discussion also touches on the need for new training approaches for developers, the integration of AI in software development, and the rapid pace of technological change. 

The conversation also explores the dual nature of OpenAI, discussing its evolution from a research-focused organisation to a commercial entity. The speakers delve into the complexities of OpenAI's model naming conventions, the emergence of agentic models, and the impact of AI on creativity and development. 

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In this conversation, Kevin Smith and Rob Borley discuss the rapid advancements in AI technologies, focusing on the emergence of new standards such as MCP and A2A, and the implications of fine-tuning AI models with LoRA.

They emphasise the urgency for businesses to adopt AI technologies, likening it to the transformative impact of the internet and electricity.

The discussion also highlights the challenges organisations face in adapting to these changes and the importance of taking employees on the journey of AI integration.

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In this conversation, Rob Borley and Kevin Smith explore the rapid advancements in AI.

They discuss the implications of these technologies for creativity, the challenges faced by organisations in adopting AI, and the evolving role of CIOs in navigating these changes.

The conversation highlights the tension between innovation and legacy systems, emphasising the importance of governance and the human element in technology adoption.

They discuss the implications of AI on various sectors, particularly focusing on the fear of technological disruption, the impact on employment, and the integration of AI within media companies.

They explore challenges faced by established companies like Apple in adapting to AI advancements, and the potential future of consumer technology as AI continues to evolve.

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In this conversation, Rob and Kevin delve into the evolving landscape of AI, particularly focusing on image generation, the importance of prompt quality, and the emergence of specialised AI tools.

They share personal experiences with various AI models, discussing their strengths and limitations, and explore the future of AI in creative fields.

Rob and Kevin discuss the evolution of AI writing models, focusing on their unique characteristics and capabilities. They explore the importance of memory in AI interactions, how it shapes user relationships, and the implications for data privacy. The concept of digital doppelgangers is introduced, highlighting the potential for AI to act on behalf of users. The discussion also touches on the economics of personal AI ownership and the definition of agents in AI, emphasising the need for clarity in understanding their roles in software development.

The implications of AI in web development, particularly focusing on the ability to clone websites using AI agents are discussed. They explore the ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated content and the potential for scams.

The discussion also touches on emerging AI tools, the evolution of AI in public, and the importance of establishing standards in AI development. They conclude by examining the competitive landscape of AI models and the future of AI integration into everyday applications.

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In this conversation, Rob Borley and Kev Smith discuss the rapid advancements in technology.

They explore how AI tools are transforming the workforce, the implications of quantum breakthroughs, and the emergence of new models like diffusion language models and AI agents.

The discussion highlights the convergence of various technologies and the challenges and opportunities they present for the future. In this conversation, Rob and Kev explore the fascinating world of autonomous agents and their implications for the future of work.

They discuss the rise of AI startups leveraging these technologies, the impact on knowledge workers, and the challenges posed by shadow IT and citizen developers.

The conversation also delves into the evolution of AI reasoning and the need for a balance between fast and slow thinking in AI systems.

And of course they teach AI to play Rock, Paper, Scissors

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