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Why agent expectations are outrunning reality in 2026

Hello friends. Enterprise AI is racing ahead, but control is the real bottleneck. In this conversation, we examine why agents are harder to deploy than expected, the limits of OpenClaw hype (at least in the traditional enterprise), and how security, governance, and orchestration determine success as the momentum of agentic AI surges worldwide. Catch the latest episode of The Deep View Conversations, presented in partnership with Deel. —Jason Hiner

What the agent surge is really doing to enterprises

In this episode of The Deep View: Conversations, we sit down with Dave Horton, VP of Solutions Engineering at Airia, to explore one of the biggest tensions in enterprise AI today: how to move fast without losing control.

Airia is building a platform designed to plug AI into every corner of an organization while keeping data secure and systems governed. Dave breaks down why that balance is harder than it looks, and why many companies are underestimating the complexity of deploying AI agents at scale.

We also dig into the surge of interest in agentic AI in 2026, including a contrarian perspective on OpenClaw and the idea that agents will quickly replace human work. Dave argues that the real challenge is not capability, but coordination, and that success comes down to three pillars: security, governance, and orchestration.

Beyond the tech, Dave shares his journey building alongside the Airia founders, why funding is pouring into AI startups, and how the AI ecosystem is evolving across London, the UK, and Europe. He also reveals the AI tool that has most transformed the way he works.

If you want a grounded, real-world view of where enterprise AI is headed, and what it will actually take to make it work, this conversation delivers.

Subscribe to The Deep View: Conversations podcast in any podcast player for more unique conversations with the brightest minds solving the biggest challenges in AI. You can also subscribe on YouTube.

Jason Hiner, Editor-in-Chief

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