Episodes

  • AI Can Find Every Unlocked Door. Who's Going to Lock Them? | Daria Bahrami, Dreadnode

    AI Can Find Every Unlocked Door. Who's Going to Lock Them? | Daria Bahrami, Dreadnode
    Nov 13 2026
    AI can now find the holes in our systems faster than anyone can fix them. So who's going to lock the doors? Is your organization ready for AI? Take the free 5-minute AI Readiness Assessment from ByteWise and get your score instantly: https://assess.bytewise-llc.com My guest is Daria Bahrami, Head of Policy at Dreadnode, the offensive AI security company that CrowdStrike agreed to acquire days after this conversation, reportedly for around $100 million. Daria is one of the sharpest minds working where AI meets cybersecurity. Before Dreadnode, she was a technical advisor to DARPA's AI Cyber Challenge, leading engagement strategy for the global competition to build AI systems that find and fix software vulnerabilities on their own. She has worked as a lead cyber threat intelligence analyst at Deloitte Global and a cyber program manager at the R Street Institute, and her writing and analysis have appeared in Fortune, War on the Rocks and CyberScoop. What makes her rare in this field is how she got here: from a Philz Coffee counter to National Geographic to the front lines of AI security, bringing a storyteller's instinct to one of the most technical debates of our time. Read Daria's Substack, Machine Speed: https://newsletter.techpointe.org We get into what DARPA's AI Cyber Challenge proved about machines finding and fixing vulnerabilities, why she thinks "rogue agent" is the wrong way to describe AI that escapes a sandbox, whether the best defense really is a good offense, and how a simple question to Gemini handed her a printer's admin password. We also cover water utilities still running on factory-default passwords, banks pulling back on AI agents, and the gap nobody is talking about: finding vulnerabilities is now easy, and nobody owns the patching. Recorded in late October 2026 at the Johns Hopkins Podcast Studio. Special thanks to Blair Johnson, Media Suite & Events Production Manager at Johns Hopkins, for his behind-the-scenes production support. Chapters 0:00 Why this conversation, why now 1:06 From journalism and Nat Geo to cybersecurity 7:30 What DARPA's AI Cyber Challenge proved 11:17 Inside an offensive AI security company 15:12 Why "rogue agent" is the wrong term 16:55 The sandbox escape: breach or rogue AI? 24:27 Open-source models and the race with China 29:45 Is the best defense a good offense? 32:58 How Gemini handed over a printer's admin password 35:33 Monopoly, chess, and the AI game we're playing 40:57 Water utilities and the basics we still miss 45:46 AI agents and your bank account 51:48 Are we waiting for a disaster to regulate? 58:11 Would you trust an agent with your money? 1:00:15 Black October: who patches the internet? 1:04:42 The one change that matters most 1:09:23 What scares her most, and the fix Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q2vkCRnIRs Free AI Readiness Assessment: https://assess.bytewise-llc.com All links: https://linktr.ee/mohafez Vote for Mo for Top Host: https://tophost.org/2026/mo-hafez Stay curious, stay ethical, and lead human.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Hackers Turned Supermarket Freezers Into Heaters. Is a Digital Crisis Next?

    Hackers Turned Supermarket Freezers Into Heaters. Is a Digital Crisis Next?
    Nov 6 2026
    Someone hacked supermarket freezers across Europe and pushed them to 122°F. The Pentagon is preparing bases to run 90 days off the grid. What if the next global crisis is a digital one? Is your organization ready for AI? Take the free 5-minute AI Readiness Assessment from ByteWise and get your score instantly: https://assess.bytewise-llc.com In this solo episode, I connect a strange week of headlines: hacked refrigeration systems in Europe, freezer failures at US military bases, "Black October" in software security, and governments asking households to prepare for days without essential services. We look at how hacking moved from stealing data to changing what machines do, why supply chain attacks poison the well, how AI could change the speed and scale of attacks, and why the real goal is resilience, not just security. Next Friday: my conversation with Daria Bahrami, Head of Policy at Dreadnode, the offensive AI security company CrowdStrike just agreed to acquire. We get into AI-powered attacks, autonomous agents, and whether the best defense is a good offense. Chapters 0:00 A strange week of headlines 2:00 How do you hack a fridge? IT vs. OT 3:56 Black October and supply chain attacks 5:22 When critical systems fail 6:49 Why the Pentagon is preparing 8:18 Where AI comes in 10:08 Security vs. resilience 10:57 Next week: Daria Bahrami of Dreadnode 12:03 Final thought Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthebytepodcast Free AI Readiness Assessment: https://assess.bytewise-llc.com All links: https://linktr.ee/mohafez Vote for Mo for Top Host: https://tophost.org/2026/mo-hafez Stay curious, stay ethical, and lead human.
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    13 mins
  • Everyone Has the Same AI. Here's What Actually Gives You an Edge

    Everyone Has the Same AI. Here's What Actually Gives You an Edge
    Oct 14 2026
    Every company has access to roughly the same AI. So why do some get real value while others just get faster at the wrong things? Beyond the Byte is back. In this relaunch episode, Mo Hafez makes the case that technology is the easy part and capability is the moat. Through Formula One, chess engines and a few too many meetings about meetings, he unpacks why access to AI is becoming a commodity, why judgment is becoming the scarce skill, and what leaders, teams and individuals should be building instead of buying. Is your organization ready for AI? Take the free 5-minute AI Readiness Assessment from ByteWise and get your score instantly: https://assess.bytewise-llc.com Chapters 0:00 Beyond the Byte is back 1:32 Technology is the easy part 4:27 When the tool becomes infrastructure 5:40 The AI shopping-list mistake 7:04 Formula One: faster cars, same drivers 7:53 Digital transformation or just procurement? 9:32 Capability isn't prompt engineering 11:36 Execution is cheap, judgment is scarce 13:17 What chess engines teach us 14:23 What do you want to be unusually good at? 16:20 Capability takes time 18:09 What leaders actually need to know 19:28 Culture, and AI as a mirror 21:22 Agents: autonomy magnifies your system 24:00 Why capability compounds 26:00 The future isn't the weather 26:43 Capability creates agency 27:54 Usage vs. competence 30:38 What Beyond the Byte is about now About your host Mo Hafez is the founder of ByteWise, an AI strategy and training firm, and teaches graduate courses on AI and emerging technology at Johns Hopkins University. Free AI Readiness Assessment: https://assess.bytewise-llc.com All links: https://linktr.ee/mohafez ByteWise: https://bytewise-llc.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthebytepodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafezm/ Vote for Mo for Top Host: https://tophost.org/2026/mo-hafez Stay curious, stay ethical, and lead human.
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    32 mins
  • How AI-Savvy Teams Could Slash Turnover Rates in Your Business with Jaime Jay

    How AI-Savvy Teams Could Slash Turnover Rates in Your Business with Jaime Jay
    May 13 2025

    Are high turnover rates draining your resources and damaging team morale?

    In this episode, we talk with Jaime Jay, Founder of Bottleneck Distant Assistants, about how AI-savvy teams are transforming organizational stability and drastically reducing turnover. Jaime introduces the "DelegationIQ Blueprint," a proprietary AI-driven tool that maps out team challenges and matches roles to solutions.

    We also get into why fear of AI is holding teams back and how Jaime's unique "30-Minute Rule" encourages proactive tool discovery without wasting time or money.

    Find a partner who knows AI. Learn from them. Build your roadmap. Tune in now and see why the right AI training isn't just a nice-to-have – it's your competitive edge.

    ▶️ How AI-Savvy Teams Could Slash Turnover Rates in Your Business with Jaime Jay

    Jaime Jay is the founder of Bottleneck Distant Assistants, a company revolutionizing how small businesses scale by replacing vague "virtual assistants" with highly trained Dedicated Distant Assistants. He helps growth-minded entrepreneurs eliminate operational bottlenecks by systemizing workflows, managing admin burdens, and building resilient support teams. Jaime's mission is to free up leaders to focus on high-impact work while ensuring their businesses run smoothly with or without them. By creating process-driven teams, he empowers companies to grow faster, retain top talent, and reduce turnover. Jaime believes the future of leadership lies in building systems that don't rely on the founder.

    Website: https://bottleneck.ph/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimejay/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heyjaimejay/

    https://www.facebook.com/bottleneckdistantassistants/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyjaimejay/

    X: https://x.com/Bottleneckda

    YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/bottleneckdistantassistants/

    Mo Hafez is the Chief Executive Officer of ByteWise and a leading advocate for ethical AI in the business world. With over 15 years of experience in IT, Mo specializes in driving digital transformation and guiding organizations through seamless cloud and SaaS migrations. His work harnesses the latest technologies—including AI, ML, VR, and AR—to help businesses automate processes and fuel growth. Known for his ability to deliver secure, scalable solutions, Mo also mentors high-performing teams, shaping the next generation of tech innovators. In a rapidly changing landscape, he champions the ethical use of technology to future-proof organizations and empower tomorrow's workforce.

    Website: http://bytewise-llc.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafezm/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bytewise-ai/
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    18 mins
  • Empowering Young Minds: AI's Role in Early Education

    Empowering Young Minds: AI's Role in Early Education
    Feb 11 2025

    Through problem-solving, teamwork, and computational thinking, students are learning to innovate and adapt to the challenges of tomorrow.

    In this episode, we explore how AI-driven solutions are transforming classrooms globally. Kaisu Pallaskallio, CEO of Code School Finland, shares her approach to empowering teachers with AI-powered curriculums that simplify lesson planning and foster creativity. Discover how her programs integrate coding, robotics, and computational thinking into education, reaching 18 countries worldwide.

    Don't miss this chance to learn how AI is reshaping education for young learners. Tune in to uncover strategies for upskilling the next generation.



    ▶️ Empowering Young Minds: AI's Role in Early Education

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    Kaisu Pallaskallio is the CEO and Co-Founder of Code School Finland, a leading provider of coding and education technology solutions designed to empower the next generation of learners. With over 15 years of experience in edtech and international business strategy, she also serves as Chair of the Board for Edtech Finland, advancing the business environment for over 60 member companies. Her leadership spans roles at global organizations, including Tieto, where she managed high-value consulting and multimillion-euro accounts. Passionate about innovation in education, she drives transformative approaches to teaching and learning.

    Website: https://www.codeschool.fi/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaisupallaskallio/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/codeschoolfinland/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codeschoolfinland

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codeschoolfinland/

    Twitter: https://x.com/codeschoolfi

    __________________________________________________________________________________________

    Mo Hafez is the Chief Executive Officer of ByteWise and a leading advocate for ethical AI in the business world. With over 15 years of experience in IT, Mo specializes in driving digital transformation and guiding organizations through seamless cloud and SaaS migrations. His work harnesses the latest technologies—including AI, ML, VR, and AR—to help businesses automate processes and fuel growth. Known for his ability to deliver secure, scalable solutions, Mo also mentors high-performing teams, shaping the next generation of tech innovators. In a rapidly changing landscape, he champions the ethical use of technology to future-proof organizations and empower tomorrow's workforce.

    Website: http://bytewise-llc.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafezm/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bytewise-ai/
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    16 mins
  • AI and Radiology: A New Era of Diagnosis with Dr. Sven Jansen

    AI and Radiology: A New Era of Diagnosis with Dr. Sven Jansen
    Jul 17 2025

    Radiology is evolving with AI. As a result, it's reaching new possibilities.

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sven Jansen, CEO of NeoQ, to explore how AI is radically reshaping diagnostic workflows. We explore why fewer med students are choosing radiology, how structured reporting and guided workflows solve the quality crisis, and what really makes human-AI collaboration succeed or fail.

    With patient demand outpacing the number of trained doctors, something had to change. The future is a powerful collaboration, humans and machines working together to transform care.

    Listen to the episode of ▶️ AI and Radiology: A New Era of Diagnosis with Dr. Sven Jansen

    🧭 Download the FREE CLEAR Framework: ByteWise's Ethical Guide to AI Strategy

    👉 https://bytewise-llc.com/clear-framework-freebie

    Dr. Sven Jansen is CEO of Neo Q Quality in Imaging GmbH, a Berlin-based company revolutionizing radiology with AI-guided reporting. With a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular medicine from Harvard Medical School and the University of Bremen, he blends deep scientific insight with executive leadership. Over two decades, he has shaped healthcare innovation across GE Healthcare, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the NOVENTI Group. His work focuses on digital transformation, health data, and sustainability—topics essential to the evolving role of AI in radiology. Dr. Jansen is also a published author, keynote speaker, and recipient of the Vatican's LSC Leadership Award.

    Website: https://radioreport.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sven-jansen-44bb5b23/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/neo-q-quality-in-imaging-gmbh/

    Mo Hafez is the Chief Executive Officer of ByteWise and a leading advocate for ethical AI in the business world. With over 15 years of experience in IT, Mo specializes in driving digital transformation and guiding organizations through seamless cloud and SaaS migrations. His work harnesses the latest technologies—including AI, ML, VR, and AR—to help businesses automate processes and fuel growth. Known for his ability to deliver secure, scalable solutions, Mo also mentors high-performing teams, shaping the next generation of tech innovators. In a rapidly changing landscape, he champions the ethical use of technology to future-proof organizations and empower tomorrow's workforce.

    Website: http://bytewise-llc.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafezm/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bytewise-ai/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond.the.byte

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondthebytepodcast

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondthebytepodcast

    Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-byte/id1778987630

    X: https://x.com/bytewisepodcast

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    58 mins
  • How to Keep AI Human-Centered and Ethical with Paul Gibbons

    How to Keep AI Human-Centered and Ethical with Paul Gibbons
    May 21 2025

    AI is rewriting how we work, live, and connect. But what happens to humanity in the process?

    In this episode, I sit down with Paul Gibbons, a philosopher, business ethicist, and author of Adopting AI: The People-First Approach, to explore how human-centered AI strategy isn't just about responsible slogans but about shifting behaviors, building ethical frameworks, and avoiding bluewashing.

    "If you want a more ethical organization, change the behaviors. Ethics follows behavior, not the other way around."

    Paul and I unpack the biggest blind spots in AI today: from automation in warfare and mass job displacement to the illusion of empathy in AI-powered therapy. We also talk about the rise of AI-powered life coaches, the democratization of therapy, and whether superintelligent machines can develop the "appearance" of a soul.

    Tune in now to learn why putting people first in AI isn't just good ethics—it's good business.

    ▶️ How to Keep AI Human-Centered and Ethical with Paul Gibbons

    🧭 Download the FREE CLEAR Framework: ByteWise's Ethical Guide to AI Strategy

    👉 https://bytewise-llc.com/clear-framework-freebie

    Paul Gibbons is a philosopher, business ethicist, and author of Adopting AI: The People-First Approach. He helps organizations navigate the ethical complexities of artificial intelligence by centering strategy on human values, not just efficiency. With a background in philosophy and decades of consulting experience, Paul bridges the gap between innovation and intentional leadership. He challenges conventional "Responsible AI" narratives and asks deeper questions about autonomy, creativity, and moral responsibility. Paul's work is a call to lead with clarity, conscience, and purpose in an AI-driven world.

    Website: https://paulgibbons.net/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulggibbons/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauli_gibbons/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulgibbons-keynotespeaker

    📘 Grab Paul's book – Adopting AI: A People-First Approach

    👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F18ZXHKP/?bestFormat=true&k=adopting%20ai&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k0_1_12&crid=2WJ7QIOW6CIUM&sprefix=adopting%20ai%20

    Mo Hafez is the Chief Executive Officer of ByteWise and a leading advocate for ethical AI in the business world. With over 15 years of experience in IT, Mo specializes in driving digital transformation and guiding organizations through seamless cloud and SaaS migrations. His work harnesses the latest technologies—including AI, ML, VR, and AR—to help businesses automate processes and fuel growth. Known for his ability to deliver secure, scalable solutions, Mo also mentors high-performing teams, shaping the next generation of tech innovators. In a rapidly changing landscape, he champions the ethical use of technology to future-proof organizations and empower tomorrow's workforce.

    Website: http://bytewise-llc.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafezm/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bytewise-ai/
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    59 mins
  • The Next Internet: VR, AR, and the Rise of Spatial Computing

    The Next Internet: VR, AR, and the Rise of Spatial Computing
    Dec 9 2025

    Every great AI system starts with a question and the boldness to rethink what we take for granted.

    In this episode, I speak with Sophia Moshasha, co-founder of XR Women, about why questioning assumptions is mission-critical in building responsible, effective AI systems.

    We talk about how inherited bias, outdated design patterns, and surface-level prompts can distort AI outcomes. Sophia explains why AI is a mirror of our data, decisions, and values. She also shares why context, intention, and collaboration between humans and machines must guide development.

    If you're building tools and leading teams, this episode will sharpen your thinking and push your systems to perform with purpose. Tune in NOW: Challenging Assumptions To Build Better AI Systems with Sophia Moshasha.

    Download the FREE CLEAR Framework: ByteWise's Ethical Guide to AI Strategy

    👉 https://biz.bytewise-llc.com/clear-framework

    Sophia Moshasha is the co-founder of XR Women and produced The Polys - WebXR Awards, amplifying voices in WebXR innovation. As host of the "Everything VR & AR" podcast, she has reached over 600,000 listeners with insights on XR and spatial computing. Through MetaTr@versal, she advocates for Metaverse standards and interoperability. Sophia's work bridges emerging technologies with meaningful, inclusive, and scalable impact worldwide.

    Website: https://www.sophiamoshasha.com/

    https://www.xrwomen.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiamoshasha/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/xr-women/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophia.christina.58

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xrwomenglobal/

    X: https://x.com/xrwomenglobal

    Mo Hafez is the Chief Executive Officer of ByteWise and a leading advocate for ethical AI in the business world. With over 15 years of experience in IT, Mo specializes in driving digital transformation and guiding organizations through seamless cloud and SaaS migrations. His work harnesses the latest technologies—including AI, ML, VR, and AR—to help businesses automate processes and fuel growth. Known for his ability to deliver secure, scalable solutions, Mo also mentors high-performing teams, shaping the next generation of tech innovators. In a rapidly changing landscape, he champions the ethical use of technology to future-proof organizations and empower tomorrow's workforce.

    Website: http://bytewise-llc.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafezm/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bytewise-ai/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond.the.byte

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondthebytepodcast

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondthebytepodcast

    Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-byte/id1778987630

    X: https://x.com/bytewisepodcast

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    59 mins