Published via [GitHub Executive Insights](https://github.com/solutions/executive-insights "Executive insights, curated just for you")

In this episode of [GitHub for Leaders](https://resources.github.com/for-leaders/), host Anjuan Simmons speaks with Mark Sparks, Senior Vice President and Head of Technology and Engineering at Bayer, to discuss practical strategies for integrating AI agents into the enterprise software development process—and how leaders can start doing the same right now.

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<iframe title="GitHub for Leaders: Applying AI agents to software development" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zcU3xzWYrs0?si=qWHD08MZbJjjiest" width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

### What Bayer learned from adopting GitHub Copilot  \[00:46–2:01\]

The conversation opens with Mark sharing Bayer’s data-driven approach to adopting GitHub Copilot. With results from their initial trial—including 89% of engineers reporting increased job satisfaction and 84% experiencing improved code quality—Mark underscores the impact of AI tools on engineering teams.  97% of Bayer engineers recommended Copilot to others.

### Scaling AI across the enterprise \[2:59–4:15\]

Hear how Bayer integrated GitHub Copilot across diverse teams—from crop science to pharmaceuticals—creating a cross-functional and collaborative environment throughout the company. This approach empowered the developers to collaborate more effectively with key stakeholders spread throughout the product development lifecycle. 

### Rethinking software development with AI \[4:25–6:18\]

Mark also provides insights into how AI agents are reducing cognitive load by handling the manual labor of many complex tasks, and allowing engineers to focus on problem-solving rather than routine coding. He emphasizes the crucial shift from merely generating *more* code to generating the *right* code, and even *deleting* unnecessary code to streamline that process.

### Training and mindset shifts for long-term impact \[6:18–7:55\]

Next, the conversation shifts to practical steps for implementing an AI-driven software development lifecycle—from forming cross-functional cohorts for initial adoption, to critical mindset shifts through targeted training. Mark also shares strategies to unlock productivity gains for both junior engineers and seasoned veterans by leveraging their experience to guide AI-driven outputs more effectively.

### Building an AI-native development cycle \[7:55–8:54\]

As the discussion wraps up, the conversation explores the evolving capabilities of AI agents, from leveraging large language models for advanced reasoning and planning to enabling collaborative workflows across multiple agentic functions within an organization.

👉 Whether you’re considering adopting AI agents or scaling existing implementations, this episode provides actionable guidance, real-world insights, and a clear path forward for tech leaders aiming to harness the full potential of AI.  

Want to learn more about the strategic role of security and other innovations at GitHub? Explore [Executive Insights](https://github.com/solutions/executive-insights) for more thought leadership on the future of technology and business.

How Bayer boosted developer productivity and innovation (and job satisfaction) with AI.

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GitHub for Leaders: Applying AI agents to software development

Published via [GitHub Executive Insights](https://github.com/solutions/executive-insights "Executive insights, curated just for you")

In this episode of [GitHub for Leaders](https://gh.io/GitHubForLeaders), host Anjuan Simmons sits down with cybersecurity researcher Daniel Cuthbert to discuss the evolving challenges of enterprise security facing leaders right now – and why credential leaks remain one of the most costly, yet preventable, threats.

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<iframe title="GitHub for Leaders: How CXOs limit risk without losing speed" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vsdOAyWddk4?si=vgp1d8pXPo_Bb7yu" width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The conversation kicks off with a startling stat: nearly one-third of security breaches originate from weak or compromised credentials. Daniel emphasizes why security doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all solution but explains how modular, developer-integrated solutions can minimize risk without slowing innovation.

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__Understanding your organization's exposure to secret leaks__: Credential leaks are expensive, damaging, and on the rise. This article helps you gauge your organization’s specific risk—and how to reduce exposure before it turns into impact. [Learn more >](https://resources.github.com/enterprise/understanding-secret-leak-exposure/) 

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The conversation also explores how security tooling must evolve to fit seamlessly into developers’ workflows—from real-time feedback in IDEs to GitHub's code scanning capabilities. Daniel highlights the importance of contextual feedback and how tools like Copilot Autofix and CodeQL empower developers to remediate vulnerabilities quickly—without needing to be security experts.

Anjuan and Daniel also examine how leaders can scale security practices without compromising creativity,, as well as build guardrails into the development process that help shift the team from a reactive to a proactive security posture.

As the episode wraps, Anjuan and Daniel talk about the business case for [GitHub Secret Protection](https://github.com/security/advanced-security/secret-protection?utm_source=EIhub&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=GHAS-unbundle), the risks of delayed security practices, and how GitHub’s recently unbundled Advanced Security products—including standalone [Secret Protection](https://github.com/security/advanced-security/secret-protection?utm_source=EIhub&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=GHAS-unbundle) and [Code Security](https://github.com/security/advanced-security/code-security?utm_campaign=GHAS-unbundle&utm_medium=Article&utm_source=EIhub)—are giving enterprises more flexibility to manage the unique risks they face.

👉 Whether you’re building secure-by-default workflows or trying to get buy-in on shifting security left, this episode offers clarity, practical advice, and inspiration for forward-thinking tech leaders.

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Want to learn more about the strategic role of security and other innovations at GitHub? Explore [Executive Insights](https://github.com/solutions/executive-insights) for more thought leadership on the future of technology and business.
