The 229 Podcast: The Golden Retriever Problem - AI Agents That Won't Stop Digging with Drex DeFord

February 19
26 mins

Episode Description

February 19, 2026: Bill Russell and Drex DeFord dive deep into the explosive growth of AI agents in healthcare - and the controversial pricing models that could reshape your IT budget. From OpenAI's acquisition of OpenClaw's founder to Epic's agent factory launch, the agentic revolution is here. But there's a catch: VCs now want to charge you based on the labor their AI replaces, not just software licenses. Drex breaks down why agents with "limitless memory" and autonomous problem-solving are both powerful and terrifying, while Bill explores whether CIOs should start building their own solutions instead of drowning in fixed software costs.

Golf Tournament Registration:  https://carahevents.carahsoft.com/Event/Details/686801-ThisWeekHealth

Key Points:

  • 01:15 OpenAI & OpenClaw: Why “Always-On” Agents Are a Big Deal
  • 08:00 Agents as Employees: Identity, Access, Audit Trails, and Governance
  • 14:08 AI Pricing: Paying for Outcomes, Not Licenses
  • 20:53 Build vs Buy Comes Full Circle

X: This Week Health

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