The Power of Digital Policy

Everyone is talking about AI adoption, whether its getting employees to use it, overcoming resistance, or building fluency. But what happens after adoption, when AI is doing real work at scale? Kristina Podnar sits down with Mike Sullivan, co-founder and chief growth officer of OneDigital, and Vinay Gidwani, OneDigital's chief product officer and co-authors of Workforce Intelligence, to unpack how a 6,000-person company decided to stop treating AI as software and start treating it as talent. They share how AI coworkers like Ben get job descriptions, resumes, hiring exams, and human supervisors; who is accountable when an AI gets...

Kevin Surace joins Kristina to talk about what changes once AI stops giving advice and starts acting. They cover the difference between permissions and authority, why so many companies have agents running that IT doesn't even know about, and why biometric approval is becoming the only real way to prove a human signed off on something.

Companies are pouring money into AI to make work faster and more predictable, but the world keeps producing uncertainty anyway. Mary Lemmer, who works at the intersection of improv, leadership, and organizational behavior, joins Kristina to talk about why the systems built to reduce risk often end up punishing the very experimentation that innovation depends on. She explains how applied improv trains people to stay functional when there's no playbook, what "yes, and" actually means when your boss hands you a project you disagree with, and why a leader's ability to regulate their own reaction matters more than having...

What happens when AI stops recommending and starts spending? Rodrigo Coelho, CEO of Edge & Node and a founding member of Ampersand, joins Kristina to talk about agentic payments, where the money is gone the second it moves and the policy which must envelope the transaction. The conversation delves into why permission isn't the same as authorization, why policy checks belong at the wallet level rather than inside the LLM, and who's actually accountable when an agent gets it wrong. If you're thinking about identity, authorization, observability, and governance for AI agents, this one's for you.

Thomas Hill, Senior Director of Digital and Commercial AI Enablement at Danaher, joins Kristina Podnar to share what it takes to build an enterprise commercial AI program from scratch across 15+ operating companies. From unifying eight million contacts and three million customers into a governed golden record, to navigating GDPR and cross-company data sharing, to embedding policy directly into the agentic orchestration layer, Thomas explains why the hardest part of AI isn't the AI — it's the data readiness, stakeholder alignment, and work redesign that make it trustworthy and scalable.

AI is forcing organizations to confront a reality they have often ignored for years: information quality matters. In this episode, Kristina Podnar sits down with taxonomist and knowledge management expert Ian Davis to explore why concepts like taxonomy, ontology, semantic modeling, and knowledge graphs have become critical foundations for successful AI deployment. Together, they discuss how AI exposes weaknesses in fragmented information environments, why metadata and information architecture are emerging as strategic business assets, and what leaders must do to create the governance, stewardship, and organizational discipline needed to scale AI effectively. The conversation also examines the growing importance...

AI isn’t slowing down because of weak models or poor prompts—it’s being held back by something far less flashy: data privacy. In this episode, Kristina sits down with Adam Kamor of Tonic.ai to unpack why organizations are struggling to safely use their own data, how unstructured data creates massive operational friction, and what it actually takes to move from manual redaction to scalable, privacy-first AI systems. The conversation challenges the idea that privacy is just a compliance checkbox—and reframes it as the key to unlocking AI velocity.

Kristina Podnar talks with data and analytics leader Ioana Mazare about why synthetic data is gaining traction, where organizations risk getting it wrong, and why strong governance is still essential. They explore privacy, bias, fit-for-purpose use cases, third-party synthetic data providers, and the leadership, strategy, and accountability needed to make data trustworthy in the age of AI.

AI is no longer just generating content—it’s retrieving, reasoning, and increasingly making decisions. And yet, many organizations are approaching it as if better prompts or better models will solve everything. In reality, AI is only as effective as the content it relies on. The more autonomous these systems become, the more they depend on content that is structured, connected, and governed with intent.

In this conversation, Kristina Podnar sits down with Carrie Hane to unpack what that actually means in practice. They explore the difference between formatting and true semantic structure, why duplication and inconsistency quie...

Kristina Podnar reconnects with Brian Bauer to explore what’s changed in just a few months as agentic AI moves from experimentation to execution in banking and other regulated industries. They unpack the “year of reckoning” for AI ROI, why compliance can accelerate innovation instead of blocking it, and how organizations can use AI to reduce costs, increase revenue, and compete at the speed of business—without sacrificing prudence.

In this episode, Kristina Podnar sits down with Camille Stewart Gloucester to unpack what’s durable in today’s AI policy landscape — and what’s just noise. Tune is for why AI governance isn’t about regulation alone, but about infrastructure: decision rights, data access, organizational design, and continuous learning. Camille shares what she’s seeing across industry and government, where organizations are overconfident, and why retrofitting governance gets exponentially harder once AI systems are embedded. If you’re trying to balance speed, risk, and performance without defaulting to paralysis, this conversation is for you.

As AI adoption races ahead of regulation, companies are facing a new and largely uncharted risk landscape. In this episode of The Power of Digital Policy, Kristina Podnar is joined by Russ Fradin, CEO of Larridin, and Michael Levine, Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth, to unpack the realities of shadow AI, emerging legal exposure, and the quiet but significant shift happening in insurance coverage. From boardroom oversight to operational failures driven by AI systems, this conversation explores why simply “not knowing” is no longer a defensible position for executives.

Citi’s recent AI agent rollout signals a new phase for banking innovation. But can compliance really make things faster? Kristina Podnar talks with Brian Bauer of Rational Exponent and explores how smart policy and explainable AI can turn regulation into a competitive advantage.

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. 

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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...

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 i...

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 b...

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...

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 e...

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 c...

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...

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.

Many organizations are challenged by a combination of on-premises and cloud hosting. Ever-increasing ransomware attacks pose a significant threat, but so do human weaknesses, which are hard to overcome. Amidst the headlines about the latest breach and operational realities, which include limited resources, your organization can still maintain its cybersecurity posture and deliver on strategic goals. In this episode, Jason Floyd, CTO of Cybersecurity at Ascent, provides sound guidance for practical policies and how to translate them into operational tactics.

It seems that hardly a day goes by without news of another organization being hit by a data breach. While the underlying causes and the actions we need to take to prevent them are many and varied, switching to digital identity management is a requirement. Callsign’s SVP, Bill Sytsma, joins us for an in-depth look at how banks and financial institutions are adopting digital identity management to boost security and consumer confidence.

The digital transformation trend goes beyond consumers and organizations and creates a hyper-connected and collaborative society that transforms relationships between people. For connected citizens, communities, and society, we need smart cities. In this episode, Mike Grigsby discusses how to define and develop the smart city of the future and, most importantly, how to ensure that citizens and the community are at the heart of the transformation.

Women are 50% of the world’s population and account for 80% of consumer purchasing decisions in the healthcare industry. So why is it that women’s health has been considered a niche market, a subset of healthcare, or Femtech? This business opportunity is estimated at over $1 billion for a range of tech-enabled, consumer-centric products such as at-home diagnostics, trackers, and wearables. But Femtech also brings with it various risks if you are not savvy in navigating the emerging space. Femtech lawyer and expert Bethany Corbin joins this episode to discuss all the opportunities and risks associated with Femtech and how her...

People talk about business to business or B2B, and they talk about business to consumer or B2C. Amidst digitization, remember that the true center of business is H2H or human-to-human. How well does your organization do H2H? Martin Birch, a husband and father to an 8-year-old 'Duracell bunny' boy and CEO and President at ibml talks about getting this critical aspect of the business right for your organization.

Companies shouldn’t be doing digital transformation to people. Instead, they should be working with employees to reach goals. For emerging technologies, including AI, organizations can see tremendous success, according to Nancy Combs of The Cantellus Group. In this episode, Nancy talks about communicating clearly with employees and empowering them for change, improving digital literacy, encouraging and celebrating change, as well as fostering flexibility, adaptability, and a growth mindset.

A failed digital transformation project undermines faith and confidence in future initiatives and increases organizational resistance toward further digital transformation efforts. Enterprises are in a constant state of digital transformation, an extensive, expensive, and all-encompassing process. Strong leadership, solid change management, and adopting a new mental state are critical investments to successful transformations. Mihaela Mazzenga discusses digital transformation based on her decades of experience in the industry.