The Power of Digital Policy

In this episode of The Power of Digital Policy, Kristina hosts a thought-provoking conversation with Cindy Warner, a technology veteran and founder of 360ofme, a platform that empowers individuals with greater control over their personal data. Cindy reflects on her transition from deep technologist to strategic leader at companies like FedEx, EY, PWC, IBM, and Salesforce. She explores the pivotal role of trust in digital relationships, emphasizing that ethical data use is the foundation for responsible AI and innovative digital services. They discuss how consent, data minimization, and transparency are critical for maintaining customer loyalty and trust. The conversation also touches on the risks of passive data sharing, the importance of identity verification, and the potential impact of stronger privacy regulations in the U.S. Cindy concludes with advice for the next generation of technologists, encouraging them to find their voice, articulate their value, and lead with a clear vision for the future.

In this episode, Kristina talks with international attorney Joe Dehner to explore the evolving landscape of data privacy and cybersecurity. With over 50 years of experience in global law, Joe shares his insights on how businesses can navigate complex legal frameworks, the importance of building privacy-centric infrastructures, and how organizations can balance innovation with compliance in a fast-changing digital world.

In this episode, we are joined by Lawrence Eta, a leader at one of Saudi Arabia's mega projects and former CTO of the City of Toronto, Canada. Lawrence shares his extensive experience and insights on transforming cities through digital innovation, the importance of servant leadership, and fostering community involvement in policy development. Hear this inspiring discussion on the evolving concept of smart cities, the role of data in digital transformation, and how to create agile, responsive public services. Lawrence also talks about his new book, "Bridging Worlds," which chronicles his journey in technology leadership and offers actionable lessons for the next generation of public service leaders. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of urban digital transformation and public service.

On this episode of "The Power of Digital Policy" Kristina talks with industry veterans Jim Kaskade and David Maher. As leaders at the helm of Conversica and InterTrust Technologies, respectively, Jim and David bring decades of experience in technology and secure computing to the table. This episode takes a deep dive into the intricate world of Generative AI, spotlighting the recent regulatory buzz from the Netherlands and its implications for day-to-day operations inside enterprises.

In this podcast episode, Kristina talks with Saira Jesani, the Deputy Executive Director of the Data & Trust Alliance. She delves into the collaborative efforts of leading organizations such as American Express, CVS Health, and Walmart in championing the responsible use of data and artificial intelligence (AI). The Data & Trust Alliance serves as a beacon for these corporations, guiding them toward ethical AI and data practices that comply with regulatory standards and align with societal values. Saira elaborates on the Alliance's proactive initiatives like implementing Algorithmic Bias Safeguards. This endeavor underscores the Alliance's commitment to mitigating biases inherent in AI systems, thereby ensuring fair and equitable outcomes across all user demographics. The discussion further illuminates the critical role of fostering a culture of shared purpose and understanding among diverse organizational stakeholders. Saira identifies this cultural alignment as pivotal in overcoming the inherent challenges associated with integrating responsible AI practices into the core operational frameworks of large corporations. The conversation also touches upon the strategic approaches employed by the Alliance to navigate the complex web of corporate cultures, priorities, and objectives. Saira underscores the necessity of building consensus around the ethical implications of data and AI usage, which often involves reconciling varying perspectives and interests to achieve a common goal. Through real-world examples and experiences shared in the podcast, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate processes involved in steering influential corporations towards a future where technology is leveraged responsibly and ethically, reflecting a commitment to societal well-being and sustainable progress.

In this episode, Kristina delves into the increasingly critical nexus of legal expertise and technological acumen, highlighting the emergence of "legal unicorns" - professionals who are not only adept at navigating the complexities of the law but also possess a profound understanding of technology. Guest Olga V. Mack, a lawyer with an extensive background in digital technology, discusses her journey and the growing trend of digitally savvy lawyers, including in-house legal teams, law firms, and government agencies.

On the latest episodes of “The Power of Digital Policy ” show, Kristina Podnar interviews Charles Beyrouthy , Forma Prime Managing Partner, about the fascinating world of quantum computation. They explore its different uses, from quantum GPS to photonic-based quantum computing, and outline the factors to consider when investing in this promising technology. Charles highlights the need for forward-thinking in corporate strategy and the pressing necessity of cybersecurity reforms to safeguard these new technologies. This episode also talks about the challenges and global signs in adapting new technologies for corporations; technology brought along with an increase in the need by firms to become pioneers rather than followers.

In this new podcast episode, Kristina and guest Lewis Barr, VP of Legal and General Counsel at Conversica, discuss the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (EUAIA). Barr highlights the Act's primary goal to implement a risk framework for AI development while addressing human rights concerns within the EU. He emphasizes the potential impact of the Act on both large tech companies and smaller enterprises, noting the need for transparency and human intervention in AI decision-making as per GDPR standards. Barr advises startups to integrate privacy and compliance from the onset, stressing the importance of understanding and articulating AI's societal impacts. The discussion also touches on how the EUAIA might influence AI regulation globally, underscoring the need for continued innovation within regulatory frameworks.

In this conversation, Kristina and AI expert Dr. Nicholas Mattei explore the challenges in building trust in AI, focusing on transparency, fairness, and ethical considerations. They discuss the role of AI in society, data governance, and public perception, particularly in relation to generative AI models like ChatGPT. Join the conversation on the importance of data privacy and ethical data use in the evolving landscape of AI technology.

Join host Kristina Podnar and cybersecurity expert Mike Starr as they delve into the critical world of software updates. Discover the hidden dangers of neglecting patches and learn how to transform routine digital maintenance into a strategic asset for safeguarding your digital infrastructure. Don't miss out on expert insights that could fortify your cyber defenses—tune in now!

Dive deep into a stimulating conversation with Sultan Meghji and Nick Reese, exploring the dynamic facets of AI technology adoption across various sectors, including academia, government, and private industries. Unpack insights into why organizations might be holding back and the transformative potential a proactive approach to AI integration can unlock. Sultan and Nick, backed by diverse experiences across sectors, unravel real-life instances of AI as a transformative tool, emphasizing its influential role as a force multiplier and an indispensable asset for future readiness. Discover pragmatic advice on fostering an innovative ecosystem that harmoniously encourages exploration, education, and evolution with emerging technologies. Join us to navigate the evolving terrains of technology, aiming for a balanced perspective that champions innovation while acknowledging and mitigating inherent risks.

In this podcast episode, Kristina discusses the future of business and the implications of generative AI with Michel Ballings, an associate professor and director of the JTV Center Intelligence Lab at the University of Tennessee. They explore the transformative potential of generative AI, its impact on various industries, and the need for organizations to adapt to this technology. Michel explains that generative AI is a game changer because it can produce open-ended, unstructured outputs that are nearly indistinguishable from human-generated content. He highlights its potential to influence the entire economy, giving examples of how it can reshape industries like content creation. The conversation delves into the challenges of regulating AI, the role of prompt engineering in generating high-quality AI outputs, and the emergence of new job roles and skills related to generative AI.

The traditional "move fast and break things" approach to AI development is shifting toward a more regulated model, akin to high-risk product development like medical devices. Today, the pivotal factor driving successful AI adoption in any organization is trust. How do you facilitate this crucial transformation, harnessing the opportunities that AI has to offer today, and ensuring your organization is equipped for a more regulated AI future? Kristina talks with Gerald Kierce of Trustible on extending ethical deployment and trust-building beyond governance and compliance, ensuring foundational elements are diligently established by any brand looking to succeed with AI adoption for today and the long haul.

More organizations are realizing the opportunities to leverage AI, whether for easing patient administrative burdens to increasing the speed of drug delivery to the marketplace. Providers can see the benefits of broader communication and patient outreach as well. But as we continue to explore the endless possibilities, we first need to build trust in AI. Karthik Sourirajan of ZS Associates talks with Kristina about keeping up with patient digital demands, how healthcare organizations leverage AI, and the risks and opportunities of enhancing digital capabilities through frontier technologies.

Always trust your gut, right? Not necessarily. Your inner voice, aka Y.O.D.A. — Your Own Decision Advisor — can lead to poor decision-making. So how do you fix it? Dr. Jim Loehr talks with Kristina Podnar about your inner voice to make the right calls. Among other tips, he advises writing down your purpose in life, your life's mission, how you want people to remember you when you're gone, your two most important values, and your personal credo.

Building sustainable solutions for privacy requires building privacy programs that can scale effectively across existing and future laws. Privacy must also be a foundational layer of the data ecosystem – so that peoples’ privacy choices are respected and enforced everywhere. It is your UX team, legal, marketing, and IT that participate in delivering that experience. Jonathan Joseph discusses how these teams can become your organization’s growth drivers.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can make the world more sustainable by using natural resources while also helping to reduce environmental costs. It can also make us more efficient and effective. But to do the right thing for your organization and ensure sound business decisions, you must consider ethics and governance. What does that mean? Bryce Goodman, an AI ethicist, and Cantellus Group advisor, guests in this episode and provides perspective and considerations for all organizations.

The responsibility for complying with data privacy laws and ensuring that data is secure falls on individual companies. If your data is copied all over the place, it's tough to secure it because each copy has its own different set of privileges and permissions. Consider the implications as your organization deep-dives into the world's most accessible and fastest lakehouse. In this episode, Tomer Shiran of Dremio talks lakehouses in the era of data privacy and privacy law compliance.

Despite a lot of enthusiasm, the metaverse didn't go anywhere in 2022, there was a lot of noise and big promises about the world that's to come, but after many tens of billions of dollars, the Metaverse feels like it came down to some very expensive hardware and far too many NFTs. On this episode, Maxx Berkowitz, co-founder and head of product and design at Nowhere.io, and Kristina talk about the metaverse and how to bridge the gap from today’s capabilities to what is yet to come while providing unique virtual reality social experiences.

Consider granting your digital marketing team a higher degree of autonomy without committing to a radical organizational model in an “all-in” fashion because it can make you nimbler and more competitive. By adopting a self-organizing team model, you can free up workers to share the responsibility of planning and executing their work without the supervision of a manager. Team members can take ownership of their workflow, processes, schedules, roles, and more to drive work. Jonathan Lewis discusses how this works best in organizations and positively impacts teams and the business bottom line.