Turing’s Torch AI Weekly — 2026-05-01

MCP and Agent Skills, Retail Edge AI, and Workflow Automation

Jonathan Harris cuts through MCP and Agent Skills, Retail Edge AI, Workflow Automation, and AI Governance in this 45-minute Turing’s Torch: Artificial Intelligence Weekly briefing. What matters is simple: what is useful, what is undercooked, and who carries the risk once the demo glow wears off. Expect plain-English context on power, money, data, labour and control, with the usual vendor fireworks left outside where they belong.

Agentic AI and Vendor Lock-in

What matters is understanding the practical implications of AI systems that act autonomously. Jonathan Harris examines how generative AI in planning and finance, alongside vendor partnerships, creates risks of lock-in and accountability issues. We separate genuine progress from the noise, especially concerning agentic AI which moves from advice to action, demanding robust governance and human oversight, not just technical solutions. The episode covers the real costs and consequences of deploying AI in core functions.

AI Benchmarks and the Retail Edge

What matters is the gap between AI claims and real-world results. Jonathan Harris examines how AI models behave outside the lab, from conservation efforts to retail AI demand forecasting. We look at the practicalities of edge AI, the trade-offs in smart retail, and why governance and honest reporting are crucial. This week, the focus is on what works, not just what’s announced.

Agentic AI, Workflow Automation, and AI Governance

Jonathan Harris cuts through Agentic AI, Workflow Automation, AI Governance, and AI Costs in this 45-minute Turing’s Torch: Artificial Intelligence Weekly briefing. The point is not to cheer every announcement from the pavement. It is to work out what is useful, what is undercooked, and who carries the risk once the demo glow wears off. Expect plain-English context on power, money, data, labour and control, with the usual vendor fireworks left outside where they belong.

AI Agents, Ads, and Audit Trails

Jonathan Harris looks beyond the hype to examine AI's quiet shifts. This week, we assess how conversational AIs can subtly inject advertising, the challenges of turning assistants into autonomous agents, and the practical importance of benchmarks for scaling AI. It's about the plumbing, not the fireworks, and understanding the real-world implications for trust, regulation, and who ultimately controls these systems.