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 Agents
03:47 AI Agents: Beyond Conversational Interfaces
05:48 Security Challenges in the Age of AI Agents
06:57 Parallels Between Cloud Adoption and AI Agent Era
09:19 Democratization of AI: From Developers to Everyone
13:57 The Concept of Double Agents in AI
16:07 New Attack Vectors and Security Concerns
21:43 Combating Security Challenges in AI
22:07 The Importance of Identity and Containment
23:50 Alignment and Intent in AI Systems
27:08 Observability and Accountability of AI Agents
30:00 AI in Security and Assumed Breach
33:17 Fostering a Culture of Security
38:45 Leadership Insights from Satya Nadella

Key Links:

Mentioned in this episode:

Free report from HatchWorks AI — State of AI 2026

What’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 Finder

Feeling 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/