The Power of Digital Policy

Episodet

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  Permission isn't authorization when AI agents move money 19.08.2026 31min

  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'r...
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  Golden records and real governance: Enterprise AI at scale 14.07.2026 33min

  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 ...
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  AI doesn't fix information problems. It exposes them. 22.06.2026 32min

  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...
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  Privacy is the bottleneck: Why your AI strategy is stalling (and how to fix it) 29.04.2026 25min

  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 checkbo...
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  Synthetic data, real governance: What enterprises need to get right 21.04.2026 26min

  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.
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  Your AI strategy starts with content, not code 18.03.2026 25min

  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 actua...
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  Agentic AI: Turning compliance into a revenue engine in 2026 24.02.2026 31min

  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.
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  Industry is setting the AI guardrails: Are you ready? 11.02.2026 29min

  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...
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  Shadow AI, boardroom blind spots, and the insurance wake-up call 15.12.2025 28min

  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 ...
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  Agentic AI in banking: How compliance accelerates innovation 21.10.2025 38min

  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.
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  Trust, Transparency, and the Future of Digital Privacy 12.05.2025 32min

  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 r...
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  Navigating the complexities of data privacy and cybersecurity 20.09.2024 31min

  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.
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  Leading digital transformation for smart cities and public service 11.06.2024 34min

  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 ...
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  Navigating the GenAI frontier: Ethical dilemmas and opportunities in digital policy 20.03.2024 32min

  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.
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  Empowering change in the digital age: Unleashing innovation and building belief 27.02.2024 28min

  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 soci...
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  Legal unicorns: Bridging law and technology in the digital age 07.02.2024 27min

  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, a...
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  Navigating investment and innovation in quantum computing 16.01.2024 27min

  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 t...
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  AI Regulations: Red Tape or Green Light for Innovation? 19.12.2023 26min

  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 p...
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  Beyond algorithms: Establishing trust and transparency in the AI era 28.11.2023 30min

  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.
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  Digital spinach: Why software updates and patches can't be ignored 07.11.2023 25min

  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!