Joel Beasley | Modern CTO

Is AI turning our internet into a "Dark Forest" we need to navigate with caution? ????? I recently had the privilege of hosting Sam Curry, Global VP & CISO in Residence at Zscaler, on the podcast episode "How to Defend Against AI Cybersecurity Attacks with Sam Curry, Global VP & CISO at Zscaler." With 30 years of cybersecurity experience, Sam offered insights that challenged our thinking about digital threats. Key highlights from our conversation: ?? The "Dark Forest" theory: As AI evolves, the internet is becoming like a forest filled with unseen threats, requiring cautious navigation ?? Zero trust approaches: Why this mindset is essential for security in our complex digital landscape ?? AI's double-edged sword: How AI tools are changing attack vectors in unprecedented ways - similar to Google DeepMind's AI showing Go grandmasters "alien" moves ?? The 2025 threat landscape: Attackers combining AI tools to create sophisticated multi-stage attacks beyond simple phishing We also explored AI consciousness, rights of AI entities, and how building community relationships transforms business and security outcomes. How is your organization navigating this evolving "Dark Forest"? You can listen to our full episode here! https://lnkd.in/ethxRURf #Cybersecurity #ArtificialIntelligence #ZeroTrust #LeadershipInsights #FutureOfSecurity

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Why Getting in Shape Will Make You a Better Leader ?? Our latest Modern CTO episode breaks from tech talk to tackle something equally crucial for executive success: your physical health! ?? I sat down with Mauro Stara of Six Pack CEO who dropped some serious knowledge bombs: ?? You have just 7 seconds to make a first impression in the boardroom ?? Your afternoon energy crash? It's all about WHEN you eat carbs ?? Tech leaders love data-driven health because it actually works ?? Fat isn't just appearance - it's an organ affecting your hormones and decisions Most compelling? The mindset shift from temporary fitness goals to lifelong habits mirrors building sustainable tech organizations. This conversation bridges personal wellness and professional excellence in ways that will transform how you lead. ?? Listen to the full episode here! https://lnkd.in/emF59dyJ #ModernCTO #TechLeadership #ExecutiveHealth #PersonalTransformation

?? NEW EPISODE ALERT: Inside Google Cloud's Future of AI Report with Mayada Gonimah, CTO & Co-Founder at Thread AI I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Mayada Gonimah, the brilliant CTO & Co-Founder of Thread AI, to discuss Google Cloud's groundbreaking "Future of AI: Perspectives for Startups" report. Some key insights from our conversation: ?? "AI is never a workflow in itself, but always part of a workflow" - Mayada challenges the notion that companies need to rebuild their entire infrastructure to leverage AI. ?? On the future of AI tools: Many single-purpose AI tools will disappear as models improve, while fundamentals like security, data governance, and human-in-the-loop systems will become increasingly important. ?? For CTOs: The ability to move seamlessly between code-level details and high-level explanations for non-technical stakeholders is critical in startup environments. ?? On open source: "Don't reinvent the wheel. There is so much great open source literature out there... Doing a fair bit of research on existing tooling is really fundamental." As we navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape, industry reports like this latest one from Google Cloud are invaluable. Read the full report here! ?? https://goo.gle/futureofai Check out the full episode here! ?? https://lnkd.in/eNTW6X85 #AI #GoogleCloud #StartupLife #TechLeadership #FutureOfAI #ThreadAI

?? How A PhD in Machine Learning Revolutionized Codebases I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Scott Dietzen, CEO of Augment Code, for a fascinating discussion about the intersection of AI and software engineering. His insights were both profound and practical. Key takeaways from our conversation: ?? The staggering cost of software failures: $2.5 trillion lost in the US market alone last year ?? Why AI should adapt to developers' workflows, not the other way around ?? The real potential of AI in software development (beyond the viral one-shot app challenges) ?? How combining human and machine intelligence could revolutionize software quality What excites me most is the vision Scott shared: imagine a world where software consistently meets our aspirations, where technical debt doesn't accumulate, and where developers can focus on what they do best - creating value through code. What's your take? How do you see AI transforming software development in your organization? Check out the full episode now! https://lnkd.in/eVnMJ3Bm #SoftwareEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence #TechLeadership #Innovation #FutureOfWork #Engineering #AI #SoftwareDevelopment #TechIndustry #Leadership

?? The AI Programs Being Made Mandatory at LSU! Had an incredible chat with John Munsell, CEO of Bizzuka, about revolutionizing education with AI! ?? Mind-blowing insights from the episode: ?? Want to scale AI? You need creative champions, not just tools! ???? Even the best AI can go wild (like our pirate-speaking medical chatbot!) ?? Structured prompts are your secret weapon ?? Technical leadership isn't about knowing everything - it's about finding answers fast! The future of technology is being shaped right now for the next generation. Are your teams adopting this AI revolution? ?? Check out the full episode here! https://lnkd.in/es_8JKSe #AIinEducation #HigherEd #Innovation #LSU #FutureofLearning #DigitalTransformation #Leadership

??? Computing Where It’s Hot, Freezing, and Impossible ?? Meet Lisa Groeneveld, co-founder of OnLogic. Their start? Sending nearly all the money in their bank account to a supplier in Taiwan on pure trust. 20+ years later, they're revolutionizing industrial computing! ?? ??? In this MUST-LISTEN Modern CTO episode, Lisa reveals: ??♀? Why being "naive enough to try" became their superpower ?? The real meaning of edge computing (no buzzwords!) ? A surprising leadership lesson from... Buzz Lightyear? ?? How to redefine success on your own terms My favorite moment? When Lisa explains edge computing using windmills and warehouses instead of tech jargon. Finally, someone who makes complex tech make sense! ?? Be sure to listen to the full episode! https://lnkd.in/eqsJcH92 #WomenInTech #Innovation #Leadership #EdgeComputing #ModernCTO #TechLeadership #Entrepreneurship

?? Why Data Quality is Crucial in the Age of AI ?? We had a mind-blowing chat with Adam Dille from Quantum Metric and Zeba H. from Google about the future of data & AI! ?? Hot takes that got me thinking: ?? "More data = better AI" is actually a myth ?? Tesla's self-driving shows why human oversight still matters ?? Bad data doesn't just hurt tech - it kills customer experience ?? Bottom line? The future isn't AI vs humans - it's AI × humans. The most successful companies will be the ones that nail this balance. Check out the full episode here! https://lnkd.in/eFCWhr_S #AI #Innovation #FutureOfWork #TechLeadership #DigitalTransformation #DataQuality #ProductStrategy

?? Just Dropped: Everything You Need to Know from CES 2025 with Jim Harris Bestselling Author, AI Futurist, Journalist The future arrived faster than we thought. Here's what's reshaping our world: ?? Microsoft's $80B bet on new data centers signals we're just scratching the surface of AI ?? Honda-Nissan Motor Corporation-Mitsubishi Corporation merger is just the start. Prediction: Half of today's automakers won't survive as China's EV makers dominate ?? Game-changing energy insight: The US's biggest power source since 1975? Energy efficiency. Without it, our 4B new devices would need 2.5x more power ?? Healthcare's $300B opportunity: With 2 million job openings, AI isn't replacing workers - it's transforming care What's Next: ?? Tesla's leading the autonomous revolution ?? OpenAI + Microsoft are reshaping how we work ?? Chinese automakers are forcing global transformation ?? AI companions are entering healthcare and elder care The velocity of change is unprecedented. Those who adapt will thrive. Those who don't... won't. Catch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/emzCxxFv #CES2025 #FutureOfTech #Innovation #AI #Healthcare #Tesla #Microsoft #OpenAI

?? Staying Grounded As a Leader with Jack Tam, SVP and CTO at Intuit Mailchimp What happens when you combine two decades of tech leadership experience at Intuit with raw authenticity? Magic. I recently sat down with Jack Tam to explore what it really takes to lead in today's rapidly evolving tech landscape. His insights caught me off guard with their simplicity and power. Highlights that stood out: ?? The art of the pause: Jack's approach to handling triggering emails changed how I think about reactive communication ?? Why AI isn't the boogeyman: His refreshing take comes from a place of experience, not hype ?? The power of solitude: In a world of constant connectivity, his perspective on leadership and self-reflection is a game-changer What really struck me was Jack's emphasis on maintaining perspective through faith and family. In an industry obsessed with the next big thing, his grounded approach to leadership is both refreshing and necessary. Curious to hear your thoughts: How do you stay grounded while leading in high-pressure environments? ?? Check out the full episode here! https://lnkd.in/eJRygN3a #TechLeadership #Innovation #AI #Leadership #IntuitMailchimp