Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights - podcast cover

Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights

In 10 minutes daily, The Business of Tech delivers the latest IT services and MSP-focused news and commentary. Curated to stories that matter with commentary answering 'Why Do We Care?', channel veteran Dave Sobel brings you up to speed and provides resources to go deeper. With insights and analysis, this focused podcast focuses on the knowledge you need to be effective, profitable, and relevant.

Episodes

ChatGPT's Emotional Impact, AI Arms Race Insights, and IT Leadership Diversity Stagnation

OpenAI has released research in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab that explores the emotional impact of using ChatGPT. The study indicates that while over 400 million people engage with ChatGPT weekly, only a small number form emotional connections with the chatbot, which is primarily marketed as a productivity tool. Notably, female users reported a decrease in socialization after four weeks of use, and those who interacted with the chatbot in a voice different from their own experienced heig...

Mar 26, 202515 minEp. 1590

Cybersecurity Breach in Trump Admin, AI Tools for MSPs, and New Integrations for Efficiency

A significant security breach has emerged involving senior members of the Trump administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hedgeseth, who shared top-secret military plans regarding U.S. attacks on the Houthi group in Yemen via the encrypted messaging app Signal. This breach was uncovered by journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, who found himself in a group chat with key cabinet members discussing sensitive information. The National Security Council has confirmed the au...

Mar 25, 202517 minEp. 1588

AI Infrastructure Boom: Meta's Piracy Controversy and CoreWeave's IPO Reveal Market Risks

Meta is facing significant scrutiny following revelations that it allegedly used pirated books to train its AI model, Llama 3. An investigation by The Atlantic uncovered that Meta employees prioritized acquiring these books, deeming them more crucial than web data. The company reportedly accessed a vast library of over 7.5 million books through LibraryGenesis, a known source of illegal distribution. This situation raises profound ethical concerns regarding the future of knowledge sharing and the...

Mar 24, 202515 minEp. 1587

Maximizing ROI: The Intersection of Cloud Cost Management and AI Innovations in Business with Erik Peterson

Erik Peterson, founder and CTO of Cloud Zero, discusses the critical importance of understanding and optimizing cloud costs, particularly in the context of AI. He emphasizes that businesses must shift their perspective from viewing cloud expenses as mere costs to seeing them as investments that should yield returns. By linking technology decisions to business goals, organizations can gain insights into their spending, allowing them to prioritize effectively and drive better outcomes. Peterson ar...

Mar 23, 202518 minEp. 1573

AI Agents vs. Chatbots: What's Next for Automation in Business? with Collin Graves and Simon Quicke

Silicon Valley is experiencing a surge of interest in AI agents, with prominent figures like Sam Altman and Satya Nadella predicting their integration into the workforce and knowledge work, respectively. However, a significant challenge remains: there is no consensus on what constitutes an AI agent. This ambiguity raises questions about whether we are on the brink of a transformative shift in automation or merely witnessing another instance of overhyped terminology seeking a market. The discussi...

Mar 22, 202536 minEp. 1584

Apple's C1 Modem Insights, Auvik & CyVent's SaaS Enhancements, and Free Deepfake Protection

Apple's new C1 modem, introduced with the iPhone 16e, has garnered attention for its impressive performance, particularly in challenging network conditions. While it recorded average download speeds of 560 megabits per second, it excelled in the lower performance brackets, achieving nearly 218 megabits per second for the bottom 10% of users. This focus on efficiency and consistency over peak speeds positions the C1 as a competitive advantage for users in urban and rural settings alike. Additiona...

Mar 21, 202515 minEp. 1586

NVIDIA's AI Chips Promise 50x Revenue Boost; Cloudflare, Adobe, and AWS Unveil New Tools

NVIDIA has made significant announcements at its GTC 2025 event, introducing the Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin AI chips, which promise to revolutionize AI computing. The Blackwell Ultra chips are expected to deliver up to 50 times more revenue for cloud providers compared to previous generations, while the Vera CPU and next-gen Rubin GPU are set for release in 2026. CEO Jensen Wang emphasized the transition of data centers into AI factories, highlighting the economic necessity of AI-driven infr...

Mar 20, 202518 minEp. 1583

Google Acquires Wiz for $32B, CISA Reinstates Laid-Off Workers, Cloudflare Launches Threat Platform

Google has officially confirmed its acquisition of cloud security firm Wiz for a staggering $32 billion, marking the largest deal in the company's history. This strategic move aims to bolster Google Cloud's security and multi-cloud capabilities, especially as the demand for cloud security intensifies. Wiz, founded in 2020, has quickly gained traction, serving nearly half of the Fortune 100 companies and projecting a significant increase in annual recurring revenue. However, the acquisition comes...

Mar 19, 202511 minEp. 1582

CISOs Gain Boardroom Influence, Apple Encrypts RCS, Nerdio Hits $1B, and Cyber Risks Surge

Cisco jobs are becoming more strategic as organizations adapt to new cybersecurity regulations, with 93% of companies modifying their policies to address the personal liability of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). A significant shift is noted, with 41% of organizations involving CISOs in board-level decisions. However, the report from Fastly highlights a concerning lack of clarity regarding accountability during cybersecurity incidents, as nearly half of the organizations surveyed are...

Mar 18, 202515 minEp. 1581

March 2025: Inflation Stabilizes, Small Business Confidence Rises, AI Innovations from Kaseya & Zoom

Inflation has shown signs of stabilization, with a modest rise in the Consumer Price Index, but consumer confidence is wavering. Recent data indicates a concerning decline in the U.S. consumer outlook, with a significant drop in the sentiment index across various demographics. Despite inflation easing, expectations for future inflation have surged, leading to a cautious approach from the Federal Reserve. This economic uncertainty is influencing IT spending decisions, as businesses prioritize dem...

Mar 17, 202516 minEp. 1580

Revolutionizing Ports: The Impact of Digital Twins and AI on Vessel Management and Traffic Flow with Toby Mills

Toby Mills, the founder and CEO of Entopy, discusses the transformative role of digital twins in port operations, emphasizing their ability to create digital replicas of real-world systems. These digital twins enable ports to model complex logistics, predict vessel arrival times, and manage resources effectively. By simulating various scenarios, ports can enhance operational efficiency, reduce congestion, and ultimately save significant costs associated with missed port calls and delays. Mills e...

Mar 16, 202523 minEp. 1566

AI's Impact on MSPs: Navigating Commoditization, Automation, and Future Opportunities with Jason Bystrak and Ryan Morris

The discussion centers around the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for businesses, particularly managed service providers (MSPs). With significant venture capital investments flooding into AI, many companies are emerging without sustainable business models, leading to concerns about market saturation and commoditization. The conversation highlights the importance of finding real product-market fit and the potential for consolidation in the industry as compe...

Mar 15, 202539 minEp. 1577

ServiceNow Acquires MoveWorks for $2.85B; OpenAI Pushes for AI Regulation Easing Amidst Competition

ServiceNow has announced its acquisition of MoveWorks, an enterprise AI specialist, for $2.85 billion, aiming to enhance its artificial intelligence and automation capabilities. This acquisition is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2025 and will integrate MoveWorks' AI assistant and enterprise search technology into ServiceNow's offerings. Currently, ServiceNow serves nearly 100,000 AI customers and has surpassed $200 million in annual contract revenue for its ProPlus AI offering. M...

Mar 14, 202514 minEp. 1579

Intel's Leadership Change, Security Upgrades from SailPoint and Verizon, and AI Search Issues

Intel has appointed Lip Butan as its new CEO, effective March 18th, following a tumultuous period marked by a 54% drop in share prices and the ousting of former CEO Pat Gelsinger. Butan, a seasoned tech investor and former CEO of Keynes Design Systems, is expected to revitalize Intel's fortunes and navigate its controversial Foundry strategy aimed at expanding manufacturing capabilities. Investors reacted positively to his appointment, with Intel's stock price rising over 11% in after-hours trad...

Mar 13, 202514 minEp. 1578

CISA Layoffs, AI Chatbots in Government, and Utah's Age Verification Law: Tech Policy Updates

Former Trump administration cybersecurity official Sean Planky has been nominated to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). His nomination comes amid significant layoffs at the agency, where over 100 employees were let go, including key members of the Red Team responsible for simulating cyberattacks. These cuts raise concerns about CISA's ability to maintain cybersecurity amid ongoing federal budget constraints, potentially leading to increased threats in the private s...

Mar 12, 202516 minEp. 1576

Labor Market Weakens: IT Jobs Shrink, AI Skills Rise, and Apple Delays Siri's Major Upgrade

The latest jobs report indicates a softening labor market, with the U.S. economy adding only 151,000 jobs in February and an uptick in the unemployment rate to 4.1%. This decline is particularly evident in small businesses, which shed 12,000 jobs, signaling economic stress in this sector. The IT job market is also showing mixed signals, with a rise in unemployment to 3.3% despite an increase in job postings. Economic uncertainties, including inflation and stock market fluctuations, are contribut...

Mar 11, 202516 minEp. 1575

AI in Action: Netsurit's Approach to Innovation and ROI for Small and Medium Businesses with Alex Heublein

Dr. Alex Hubline, President of Culture and Innovation at Netsurit, discusses the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in managed service providers (MSPs). He emphasizes the importance of a strong company culture that prioritizes both employee and customer dreams, which is exemplified through their unique "dreams program." This program aims to align the aspirations of the workforce with the goals of the customers, fostering a collaborative environment that drives innovation. Hublin...

Mar 10, 202522 minEp. 1562

Exploring Agentic AI: Revolutionizing Automation and Decision-Making in Business with Krishna Tammana

Agentic AI is emerging as a transformative technology that builds upon the advancements of large language models (LLMs). Unlike traditional conversational AI, which primarily provides answers to user queries, agentic AI takes it a step further by enabling autonomous actions based on those answers. This capability allows businesses to automate processes with greater precision and speed, effectively acting as human agents. The conversation delves into the implications of this technology, particula...

Mar 09, 202523 minEp. 1559

Intel's AI Chips Launch, Apple Fights UK Encryption Order, and McDonald's Embraces AI Upgrades

Intel has made significant strides in the tech industry by launching its next-generation AI chips, the Core Ultra Series 2 processors, designed specifically for commercial artificial intelligence applications. Built on the Arrow Lake architecture, these processors promise a 30% reduction in power usage compared to their predecessors, catering to the growing demand for efficiency in AI workloads. Additionally, a federal judge dismissed a shareholder lawsuit against Intel, which had accused the co...

Mar 07, 202516 minEp. 1572

89% of AI Use Hidden from IT, Salesforce's AgentExchange Launch, Microsoft’s New AI Tools

Employees are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) tools without the oversight of their IT departments, leading to significant security risks for organizations. A report by LayerX reveals that 89% of enterprise AI usage occurs outside IT visibility, with many employees accessing these tools through personal accounts. This lack of oversight raises concerns about data leakage, as corporate data is frequently pasted into AI applications. Additionally, a report by WalkMe highlights a disc...

Mar 06, 202518 minEp. 1571

Burnout Fuels IT Generalists; MSPs Navigate Security Needs and Nutanix's VMware Exodus

The rise of IT generalists is becoming increasingly significant as the industry grapples with a growing talent gap. A recent report by Auvik reveals that a staggering 78% of IT professionals feel that work-related stressors hinder their ability to improve their skills, with 60% experiencing burnout. As baby boomers retire at an accelerated pace, the workload is shifting to senior employees, intensifying stress and workload issues. The report highlights the necessity for IT professionals to posse...

Mar 05, 202515 minEp. 1570

U.S. Cyber Policy Shift: MSPs Face New Threats, Talent Retention Challenges, and IPO Market Decline

U.S. Cyber Command has been ordered to halt all planning against Russia, marking a significant shift in the country's cyber policy. This decision, directed by Defense Secretary Pete Hedgeset, comes as the focus of U.S. cybersecurity efforts pivots away from Russia and towards threats from China and other adversaries. Reports indicate that this change has raised concerns about potential vulnerabilities, especially as Russian cybercriminal groups remain active. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure...

Mar 04, 202514 minEp. 1569

IT Services Boom Amid Economic Uncertainty: Real Estate Woes and Shifting PC Sales Trends

The IT professional services market is experiencing significant growth, projected to reach nearly $2 trillion by 2032, driven by increasing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and automation. While the project-oriented services segment currently dominates the market, the information technology outsourcing services segment is expected to grow the fastest, with an annual growth rate exceeding 10%. North America leads the market share, but Europe is also poised for rapid growth due...

Mar 03, 202512 minEp. 1568

SOBRsafe's Alcohol Detection: Merging AI and Biometric Tech for Workplace and Behavioral Health with David Gandini

David Gandini, CEO of SOBRsafe, discusses innovative alcohol detection technology designed for workplace safety and behavioral health. The company offers two primary devices: the SOBRCheck, a stationary device that uses biometric identification to detect alcohol presence through skin vapor, and the SOBRSure, a wearable band that pairs with a smartphone to monitor alcohol levels discreetly. These devices aim to enhance safety in environments like oil and gas facilities while also supporting indiv...

Mar 02, 202519 minEp. 1555

GPT 4.5 Launch, Data Usage Surge, Skype's Shutdown, and the Future of Online Communities

OpenAI has launched GPT 4.5, its latest language model, which is touted as the largest and most knowledgeable to date. The model, codenamed Orion, boasts improvements in user experience, including fewer hallucinations and enhanced emotional intelligence. It has demonstrated superior performance in various benchmarks, particularly in professional and creative queries. Despite the excitement surrounding its release, a recent Pew Research study reveals that a significant majority of American worker...

Feb 28, 202512 minEp. 1567

NVIDIA Soars with $39.3B Revenue, Salesforce Faces AI Adoption Challenges, and Security Upgrades

NVIDIA has reported impressive fourth-quarter earnings, with a revenue of $39.3 billion, marking a 78% increase from the previous year. The company's net income also surged to $22.1 billion, reflecting an 80% year-over-year growth, driven by strong demand for its latest GPU architecture, Blackwell. Despite these positive results, NVIDIA's stock experienced fluctuations in after-hours trading due to a decline in gross margins linked to a transition to more complex systems. In contrast, Salesforce...

Feb 27, 202514 minEp. 1565

Ninja One's $500M Funding, Zoom's Revenue Drop, Europe's AI Push, and CMMC Certification Risks

Ninja One has secured $500 million in Series C funding, raising its valuation to $5 billion. This investment will enhance its capabilities in autonomous endpoint management, patching, and vulnerability remediation, while also facilitating the acquisition of DropSuite, a SaaS backup and data protection firm. Despite this growth, Ninja One faces criticism for lacking a robust cybersecurity strategy, which could hinder its competitiveness against rivals like Kaseya and ConnectWise. The absence of i...

Feb 26, 202513 minEp. 1564

AI Trends: Rapid Adoption, Security Hurdles, and Microsoft’s Ad-Supported Office Strategy

AI adoption is accelerating rapidly, with notable advancements in technology and a growing user base. Recent reports indicate that the costs associated with AI have plummeted, making it more accessible for businesses and individuals. A survey revealed that 39% of the U.S. population were monthly users of AI by August 2024, surpassing early adoption rates of personal computers and the Internet. Despite this growth, many businesses remain hesitant to fully embrace AI due to concerns about accuracy...

Feb 25, 202514 minEp. 1563

February Tech Roundup: CEO Confidence, $61B Cloud Deals, Apple’s UK Encryption Removal, Google QR

Apple has decided to remove its advanced data protection tool in the United Kingdom following a government request for access to user data. This tool, which provided end-to-end encryption for sensitive items like photos and documents, is now unavailable to new users, and existing users will lose access soon. The move has drawn criticism from privacy advocates who view it as a significant threat to individual privacy and online security. Experts warn that this could set a precedent for other gove...

Feb 24, 202511 minEp. 1560

Transforming SaaS Pricing: Strategies for Value-Based and Outcome-Based Models with James Wilton

James D. Wilton, an expert in SaaS pricing strategies, discusses the evolving landscape of pricing models in the software-as-a-service industry. He emphasizes that while SaaS pricing and subscription pricing may differ in execution, the underlying principles remain consistent. Key considerations include understanding the value of the offering, scaling prices according to customer needs, and creating various pricing options. Wilton highlights the importance of recognizing how these strategies can...

Feb 23, 202521 minEp. 1551
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