Gradient Descent https://gradientdescent.podbean.com Gradient Descent is a podcast for people asking better questions about emerging technology.

Hosted by RavenTek's Chris Riordan, Brett Lucas, and Brett Haupt, the show explores artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, leadership, and software development through thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions rather than reinforce them.

We aren't interested in repeating the latest buzzwords or predicting that every new technology will save the world or destroy it. Instead, we explore the space between the hype and the fear, sharing practical perspectives for leaders navigating an increasingly complex world.

]]> Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://podbean.com/?v=5.5 en Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Technology 1440 episodic The AI podcast for skeptics and spooks that cuts through the hype to examine the tradeoffs, risks, and power shifts behind today’s biggest AI developments. RavenTek Studios RavenTek Studios No false https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/22464562/Logo_green_and_white_on_black7uh8o.png Gradient Descent https://gradientdescent.podbean.com 144 144 04. Promptcraft: How We Actually Use AI 04. Promptcraft: How We Actually Use AI https://gradientdescent.podbean.com/e/promptcraft-how-we-actually-use-ai/ https://gradientdescent.podbean.com/e/promptcraft-how-we-actually-use-ai/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400 gradientdescent.podbean.com/f5cdada9-2732-348b-bb5c-917686667cd7 Everyone talks about AI. Almost nobody talks about how they actually use it.

In this episode of Gradient Descent, Chris Riordan, Brett Lucas, and guest Guy Waybright compare their personal AI workflows, from governance files and context management to coding agents, testing, and multi-model orchestration.

The surprising takeaway is that there isn't one right way to work with AI. The best workflow is the one that matches how you think.

Whether you're building software, managing projects, or just trying to get more out of ChatGPT, this conversation offers practical ideas you can apply today.

]]> Everyone talks about AI. Almost nobody talks about how they actually use it.

In this episode of Gradient Descent, Chris Riordan, Brett Lucas, and guest Guy Waybright compare their personal AI workflows, from governance files and context management to coding agents, testing, and multi-model orchestration.

The surprising takeaway is that there isn't one right way to work with AI. The best workflow is the one that matches how you think.

Whether you're building software, managing projects, or just trying to get more out of ChatGPT, this conversation offers practical ideas you can apply today.

]]> RavenTek Studios true No 3901 5 full 03. Fortress vs. Fire: Can AI Defend Against AI? 03. Fortress vs. Fire: Can AI Defend Against AI? https://gradientdescent.podbean.com/e/03-fortress-vs-fire-can-ai-defend-against-ai/ https://gradientdescent.podbean.com/e/03-fortress-vs-fire-can-ai-defend-against-ai/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:17:34 -0400 gradientdescent.podbean.com/e6b45a52-866b-3474-96d6-794d7b53ce50 What happens when artificial intelligence becomes both the attacker and the defender?

As AI accelerates cyber threats, organizations face a difficult question: should they fight AI with even more AI, or double down on proven security principles like Zero Trust?

In this episode of Gradient Descent, Chris Riordon, Brett Lucas, Brett Haupt, and Ryan Sheehan debate where AI belongs in modern cybersecurity. They explore agentic AI, prompt injection, AI-powered vulnerability discovery, offensive automation, and why human oversight may become even more important as machines get faster.

Rather than predicting doom, the conversation focuses on how organizations can adopt AI responsibly while protecting the systems that matter most.

Topics include:

  • AI attacking AI
  • Prompt injection and emerging threats
  • Zero Trust for AI agents
  • Human vs. machine decision making
  • The future of AI-enabled cyber defense
]]> What happens when artificial intelligence becomes both the attacker and the defender?

As AI accelerates cyber threats, organizations face a difficult question: should they fight AI with even more AI, or double down on proven security principles like Zero Trust?

In this episode of Gradient Descent, Chris Riordon, Brett Lucas, Brett Haupt, and Ryan Sheehan debate where AI belongs in modern cybersecurity. They explore agentic AI, prompt injection, AI-powered vulnerability discovery, offensive automation, and why human oversight may become even more important as machines get faster.

Rather than predicting doom, the conversation focuses on how organizations can adopt AI responsibly while protecting the systems that matter most.

Topics include:

  • AI attacking AI
  • Prompt injection and emerging threats
  • Zero Trust for AI agents
  • Human vs. machine decision making
  • The future of AI-enabled cyber defense
]]> RavenTek Studios true No 3100 4 full 02. Apocaloptimism: Are We Coding Our Way Into a Cybersecurity Crisis? 02. Apocaloptimism: Are We Coding Our Way Into a Cybersecurity Crisis? https://gradientdescent.podbean.com/e/02-apocaloptimism/ https://gradientdescent.podbean.com/e/02-apocaloptimism/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:08:41 -0400 gradientdescent.podbean.com/dae9fd1e-3e08-353a-9bb5-8cfd284e6af2 Everyone is celebrating how AI is accelerating software development. Far fewer people are asking what happens when security can't keep up.

In this episode of Gradient Descent, the team introduces the idea of Apocaloptimism. It is the belief that AI has incredible potential while recognizing that its rapid adoption may create serious challenges before things stabilize.

The conversation explores two trends moving toward each other. AI is making it faster than ever to build software, while AI-powered offensive capabilities are lowering the barrier to sophisticated cyberattacks. What happens when those two curves finally intersect?

Join the discussion as the team explores:

  • AI-assisted software development and "vibe coding"

  • Why software quality and security may be falling behind AI adoption

  • How offensive AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape

  • Zero Trust, governance, and responsible AI implementation

  • Whether we've already reached the tipping point, or if the biggest disruption is still ahead

Not everyone agrees. That's what makes the conversation worth having.

]]> Everyone is celebrating how AI is accelerating software development. Far fewer people are asking what happens when security can't keep up.

In this episode of Gradient Descent, the team introduces the idea of Apocaloptimism. It is the belief that AI has incredible potential while recognizing that its rapid adoption may create serious challenges before things stabilize.

The conversation explores two trends moving toward each other. AI is making it faster than ever to build software, while AI-powered offensive capabilities are lowering the barrier to sophisticated cyberattacks. What happens when those two curves finally intersect?

Join the discussion as the team explores:

  • AI-assisted software development and "vibe coding"

  • Why software quality and security may be falling behind AI adoption

  • How offensive AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape

  • Zero Trust, governance, and responsible AI implementation

  • Whether we've already reached the tipping point, or if the biggest disruption is still ahead

Not everyone agrees. That's what makes the conversation worth having.

]]> RavenTek Studios true No 3698 3 full 01. Pilot 01. Pilot https://gradientdescent.podbean.com/e/pilot/ https://gradientdescent.podbean.com/e/pilot/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:05:36 -0400 gradientdescent.podbean.com/1e80e025-64ea-30dc-a47b-13f5bf9bc378 Before we knew exactly what Gradient Descent would become, we sat down, turned on the microphones, and started talking.

This conversation became the foundation for everything that followed.

]]> Before we knew exactly what Gradient Descent would become, we sat down, turned on the microphones, and started talking.

This conversation became the foundation for everything that followed.

]]> RavenTek Studios true No 4615 2 full