66: Using AI Agents at Work: Governance, Security, and Real-World Wins with Oren Michaels

Chris Daigle sits down with Oren Michaels, founder of Barndoor.ai, to explore the rise of AI agents in the workplace and why governance and security matter just as much as innovation. From defining what makes an AI agent different from ChatGPT, to tackling the risks of the new Model Context Protocol (MCP), Oren explains how executives can unlock real productivity gains while avoiding costly mistakes.

You will hear how to treat agents like eager interns with guardrails, where companies are already seeing ROI in finance, marketing, and contracts, and why shadow AI and unsanctioned MCP use could be your biggest risks. Packed with real-world AI applications and executive-level strategy, this episode is a playbook for business leaders ready to adopt agents responsibly.

🔎 Resources

Learn more about Oren Michaels: Barndoor.ai (barndoor.ai)

Contact Oren directly: oren@barndoor.ai

🛠️ Tools & Frameworks Mentioned

ChatGPT ➡ openai.com/chatgpt

Model Context Protocol (MCP) for agent-to-system integration

📌 Chapters

00:00 – Intro to Oren Michaels and Barn Door AI
02:20 – From APIs to AI agents: lessons from enterprise adoption
06:46 – Defining an AI agent vs. ChatGPT and automation
13:25 – Why agents lack conscience and what that means for business
18:10 – Governance frameworks for AI agents
22:58 – Risks and opportunities of the Model Context Protocol (MCP)
27:19 – Who inside companies is owning AI governance
33:25 – Enterprise scale vs. mid-market AI adoption
38:36 – Real-world wins in finance, marketing, and contracts
42:53 – The difference between automation, RPA, and agents
46:28 – Shadow AI, unsanctioned MCP, and risk management
50:56 – Where to learn more about Barn Door AI

Episode tags:

AI in the workplace, AI for business leaders, Generative AI at work, Non-technical AI leadership, Real-world AI applications, Workplace AI adoption, Executive AI training, AI productivity tools, AI transformation stories, Ethical AI business, AI implementation guide, AI strategy for executives

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