The good, the bad, and the future of AI agents

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Vox Media Podcast Network

Technology, Business

4.3 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 2 October 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This is Hayden Field, senior AI reporter at The Verge and your Thursday episode guest host. Today, I’m talking with David Hershey, who leads the applied AI team at Anthropic. I wanted to have David on because earlier this week, Anthropic released a brand-new AI model called Claude Sonnet 4.5 that’s been making waves. So I wanted to sit down with David, who spends a lot of time testing out what modes like Claude Sonnet 4.5 can and can’t do, to ask him where we are on this promise of AI agents, and also what the path forward looks like as agentic technology progresses. Links: Anthropic releases Claude Sonnet 4.5 in latest bid for AI agents | The Verge ChatGPT’s built-in Buy Now button has arrived | The Verge OpenAI really wants you to start your day with ChatGPT Pulse | The Verge Anthropic’s Claude AI is playing Pokémon | The Verge AI agents are science fiction not yet ready for primetime | The Verge Agents are the future AI companies promise and need | The Verge Amazon is betting on agents to win the AI race | Decoder Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Ursa Wright. The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Support for this show comes from icy hot.
0:02.6	You know those moments when you've already given it your all and you're still ready to come back for more.
0:07.6	But the only thing standing in your way is pain.
0:10.8	Well, you don't need to let achy joints and muscles hold you back anymore.
0:15.1	With Icey Hot original No Mess, you can experience fast-acting pain relief and come back strong.
0:20.9	Ice works fast and heat makes it last.
0:23.9	You're so back with Icy Hot.
0:26.3	Buy Icy Hot Original No Mess Now.
0:31.5	Support for this show comes from OnePass.
0:34.6	If you're an IT or security pro, managing devices, identities, and applications
0:39.9	can feel overwhelming and risky. Trellica by OnePassword helps conquer SaaS sprawl and
0:46.3	shadow IT by discovering every app your team uses, managed or not. Take the first step to better
0:52.7	security for your team. Learn more at OnePassword.com
0:57.3	slash podcast offer. That's OnePassword.com slash podcast offer, all lowercase.
1:07.9	Introducing the new Dell AI PC powered by the Intel Corps Ultra processor.
1:13.1	It helps do your busy work for you so you can fast forward through enhancing security,
1:18.4	simplifying IT management, automating workflows, synthesizing data, improving user experience
1:23.6	or responding to James' long emails.
1:27.3	Leaving all the time in the world for the things you actually want to do.
1:32.6	No offence, James.
1:33.8	Get a new Dell AIPC at Dell.co.uk slash AIPC.
1:39.3	Dell. How those ahead, stay ahead.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Vox Media Podcast Network, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Vox Media Podcast Network and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.