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

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-ThisWeekHealthKey Points:01:15 OpenAI & OpenClaw: Why “Always-On” Agents Are a Big Deal08:00 Agents as Employees: Identity, Access, Audit Trails, and Governance14:08 AI Pricing: Paying for Outcomes, Not Licenses20:53 Build vs Buy Comes Full CircleX: This Week HealthLinkedIn: This Week HealthDonate: Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Foundation for Childhood Cancer