"AI needs visibility and controls."

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff Martin sits down with Oren Michels, co-founder and CEO of Barndoor AI, to talk about the future of work, the rise of agentic AI in the enterprise, and how governance and visibility will shape the next era of human–AI collaboration.

Oren shares insights from decades of experience building and scaling companies—from co-founding Mashery and selling it to Intel, to investing in breakout startups like Uber and eero, to producing Broadway shows. He explains why the future of work isn’t AI replacing humans, but AI handling secondary and knowledge tasks so people can focus on creativity, strategy, and innovation. The conversation explores managing AI access through strict protocols, bridging the talent gap in a world where fewer junior roles exist, and what leaders can learn about team building from both theater and startups.

The discussion also covers the critical need for governance in AI deployment, the role of collaborative intelligence in decision making, and why having a clear vision is essential for attracting both talent and investors in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

About Barndoor AI

As more AI agents take on work across your company, it’s not just harder to see which agents are doing what — it’s riskier. Barndoor brings visibility and control into one place, giving enterprise teams the granular access, policy enforcement, and oversight they need to scale AI safely. Now you can use AI with confidence across every team, tool, and action.

Takeaways

The future of work involves collaboration between humans and AI.

AI will increasingly handle secondary tasks, freeing up human creativity.

Governance and visibility are crucial for safe AI deployment.

Managing AI access requires strict protocols and oversight.

Collaborative intelligence enhances decision-making processes.

Bridging the talent gap is essential for future workforce development.

A clear vision is vital for attracting talent and investors.

Roles and responsibilities must be clearly defined in teams.

Organizations must adapt to rapid technological changes.

Chapters

00:00 The Future of Work: Humans and AI Collaboration

00:55 Introducing Barndoor AI: Governance and Visibility for AI

03:52 Managing AI Access: Protocols and Responsibilities

08:03 The Evolution of Work: AI's Role in Knowledge Tasks

11:31 Collaborative Intelligence: Humans and AI Decision Making

14:53 Bridging the Talent Gap: Early Career Development

17:50 Building Teams: Lessons from Theater and Startups

20:38 Vision and Agreement: Attracting Talent and Investors

26:15 Roles and Responsibilities: Clarity in Teams

29:40 Adapting to Change: The Rapid Evolution of Technology

35:35 The Future of AI: Balancing Automation and Human Insight

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