AI That Acts: How Autonomous Agents Are Rewriting Org Charts

AI That Acts: How Autonomous Agents Are Rewriting Org Charts

Author: Brave Software February 18, 2026 Duration: 33:32

Manoj Saxena, Founder and CEO of Trustwise, explains why agentic AI represents a major shift inside organizations: from AI as a tool to AI as an active participant. He addresses the operational challenges that organizations face today, including AI-to-AI interactions, opaque decision-making, regulatory pressure, and the growing need for continuous oversight as AI systems gain autonomy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ways AI agents are already taking on roles once owned by humans

  • How leaders should prepare for AI systems that negotiate, decide, and act independently

  • The emerging risks of AI acting without visibility, guardrails, or accountability

  • Why trust, safety, and governance must operate in real time, not retroactively

  • The organizational and cultural implications of humans managing AI agents

Guest Bio:
Manoj Saxena is the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Trustwise—an award-winning AI safety company focused on securing and governing agentic AI systems—and the Founder and Chairman of the Responsible AI Institute. Widely regarded as the "father of IBM Watson," Manoj is a pioneer of Trusted Artificial Intelligence (TAI) and a leading voice for ethical and responsible AI. He previously served as General Manager of IBM Watson and as Chairman of the Board at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. A serial entrepreneur with over $1.8B in exit value across multiple startups, Manoj is also a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin and a fellow contributor at University of Cambridge, where he teaches and advises on ethical AI and responsible leadership.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte

 


Hosted by Brave Software, The Brave Technologist is a series for anyone curious about the real human impact of our digital evolution. It moves past the surface-level buzzwords to ask how technologies like AI, machine learning, and Web3 actually affect everyday decisions, privacy, and the fabric of society. The conversations here are grounded and thoughtful, prioritizing the user's perspective in a landscape often dominated by abstract visions of disruption. You'll hear from builders, thinkers, and technologists who are shaping these tools, discussing not just what is possible, but what is responsible and meaningful. This podcast sits at the intersection of technology, business, and marketing, examining how these forces converge to shape our collective future. It’s for listeners who want to understand the "why" and "for whom" behind the code, offering a nuanced take that is often missing from tech commentary. Tune in for a deeper, more inclusive dialogue about the systems that are redesigning our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Brave Technologist
Podcast Episodes
How Crypto is Reshaping The Global Political Landscape [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:01
Sam Lyman, Director of Public Policy at Riot Platforms, discusses the disruptive potential of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency as tools to decentralize power. He highlights the generational shift that may influence the regulat…
Human-Centered AI: Uniting Academia and Industry for Ethical Tech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:17
Hamed Haddadi, Chief Scientist at Brave Software, discusses the future of ethical and inclusive technology, and how a human-centered approach can transform AI development's impact on society. We also discuss how to navig…
Making Crypto Digestible and Accessible to the Masses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:37
Camila Russo, Founder of The Defiant, discusses their role in making cryptocurrencies more accessible, and in making complex topics more comprehensible for everyone. We also explore the resilience of DeFi amid regulatory…
Democratizing AI Through Open-Source Development [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:34
Jeff Boudier, Head of Product and Growth at Hugging Face, discusses the evolving landscape of AI and the role open-source development plays in its transformation. We also explore the challenges and opportunities that org…
How Advertising Shaped Search Engines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:10
Jean-Paul Schmetz, SVP of Ads at Brave, discusses the evolution of search engines from closed platforms like AOL to today's open web, and how advertising has influenced their growth. We dive into AI's integration in sear…
Enhancing Your Web Experience with Privacy-First Browsing Strategies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:25
Yan Zhu, Chief Information Security Officer at Brave Software, discusses ways to reduce your risk of getting compromised when browsing the Internet. She also explains how Brave's policy of only collecting the bare necess…
Rethinking Outdated Legislation and Regulation with the SEC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:20
Hester M. Peirce (appointed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by President Donald J. Trump), shares insights into the SEC's role in enforcing laws amidst rapid technological advancements. We also explore bal…
How Moonwalk Fitness is Gamifying Health with Crypto Incentives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:23
Caitlin Cook, Head of Growth at Moonwalk Fitness, shares how their product is gamifying health, leveraging Web3 technology and offering crypto incentives to get you moving. She also shares how they're targeting non-crypt…
AI Revolution: Transforming Business, Jobs, and Regulation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:29
David Westera, AI & Data Leader at Adidas, discusses the pressure that many companies feel to adopt emerging technologies, and the biggest challenges companies face when trying to implement AI solutions. He also explores…