The Data Diva E306 - Jamal Ahmed and Debbie Reynolds

Send us Fan MailJamal Ahmed, CEO of Kazient Privacy and AI Experts, and Privacy Pros AcademyIn this episode of “The Data Diva” Talks Privacy, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva” speaks with Jamal Ahmed, CEO of Kazient Privacy and AI Experts, and Privacy Pros Academy, about the expanding opportunities for privacy professionals in AI governance. A returning guest, Jamal explains why many skills privacy professionals already use, including data mapping, assessments, regulatory interpretation, governance, risk management, and training, translate naturally into AI governance work.The conversation also explores AI literacy, the EU AI Act, and Jamal’s book The Easy Peasy Guide to the EU AI Act, for which Debbie wrote the foreword. Debbie and Jamal discuss why organizations increasingly need professionals who can understand AI, translate regulation into practical business processes, and help companies build trust and demonstrate responsible governance as AI adoption accelerates.By popular demand, Debbie Reynolds Consulting is now offering executive briefings on emerging data privacy risks and how companies can avoid them. To learn more, visit the Executive briefings page on my website.Support the showJoin Data Diva Confidential for exclusive email content featuring practical guidance, expert analysis, and strategic insights on data privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe at https://www.debbiereynoldsadvisory.com/datadivaconfidentialDebbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

Send us Fan MailEmma Day, Co-CEO, Tech Legality | Human Rights & AI Governance LawyerIn this episode of “The Data Diva” Talks Privacy, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva” speaks with Emma Day, Co-CEO of Tech Legality and Human Rights & AI Governance Lawyer, about privacy as a fundamental human-rights issue and the growing risks surrounding children’s data. Emma shares how her experience teaching in Rwanda shaped her understanding of the profound consequences personal information can have for safety, equality, opportunity, and justice.The conversation explores children’s privacy, EdTech, neurotechnology, AI companions, and the uneven protections children experience around the world. Debbie and Emma also discuss the responsibilities of regulators and technology companies, the importance of human-rights and data-protection impact assessments, and why organizations should consider the human consequences of technology alongside innovation and business objectives.By popular demand, Debbie Reynolds Consulting is now offering executive briefings on emerging data privacy risks and how companies can avoid them. To learn more, visit the Executive briefings page on my website.Support the showJoin Data Diva Confidential for exclusive email content featuring practical guidance, expert analysis, and strategic insights on data privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe at https://www.debbiereynoldsadvisory.com/datadivaconfidentialDebbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

Send us Fan MailDamnjan Jovanovic, Tech Educator, Explaining Privacy Tech to Lawyers and DPOsIn this episode of “The Data Diva” Talks Privacy, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva” speaks with Damnjan Jovanovic, Tech Educator, Explaining Privacy Tech to Lawyers and DPOs, about why privacy professionals benefit from understanding the technology behind the terminology. Drawing on more than 20 years as a developer and his experience as an educator, Damnjan explains how he helps lawyers, DPOs, and other nontechnical professionals connect familiar privacy concepts with what is actually happening inside browsers, applications, and digital systems.The conversation explores cookies, browser fingerprinting, AI, wearable cameras and smart glasses, and the importance of understanding both how technologies work and how they are used. Debbie and Damnjan also discuss the limits of notices and cookie banners, the privacy implications of information shared with AI systems, and why stronger technology literacy can help professionals and the public make more informed decisions in an increasingly complex digital environment.Support the showJoin Data Diva Confidential for exclusive email content featuring practical guidance, expert analysis, and strategic insights on data privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe at https://www.debbiereynoldsadvisory.com/datadivaconfidentialDebbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

Send us Fan MailRob Tiffany, Research Director, IDC and Author of Saving the Earth with the Internet of ThingsIn episode 303 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva speaks with Rob Tiffany, Research Director at IDC and author of Saving the Earth with the Internet of Things, about the evolution of the Internet of Things, sustainability, privacy, and the practical use of connected technologies to solve real-world problems. Rob shares his early work developing connected vending machines during the 1990s, before cloud platforms and modern wireless infrastructure made IoT development easier.The conversation explores how connected vending machines were used to monitor inventory, optimize delivery routes, identify purchasing patterns, and forecast profitability. Rob explains how his team built much of the necessary hardware, software, wireless connectivity, and digital models from scratch. He also shares an unexpected lesson about transparency when some vending operators were less interested in technology that revealed how much money their machines generated.Debbie and Rob discuss how IoT can help cities and buildings become more sustainable by identifying water leaks, reducing unnecessary energy consumption, monitoring occupancy, and improving the management of lighting and heating systems. They also examine the privacy risks created when sensors, cameras, connected devices, and smart infrastructure collect information about people’s movements, behaviors, and daily routines.The episode highlights Rob’s book, Saving the Earth with the Internet of Things, and its connection to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Rob discusses precision agriculture, soil moisture sensors, automated irrigation, crop yields, fertilizer use, food storage, and cold-chain monitoring. These technologies can help farmers conserve water, reduce waste, protect food supplies, and produce more food for a growing global population.The conversation also addresses data minimization, security, and the responsibility organizations assume when collecting information. Debbie and Rob discuss why companies should carefully consider whether information needs to be collected or retained, particularly when a breach can expose personal or financial data permanently. The episode concludes with Rob’s belief that IoT can help address major global challenges while acknowledging that protecting connected systems and the data they generate will remain an ongoing responsibility.By popular demand, Debbie Reynolds Consulting is now offering executive briefings on emerging data privacy risks and how companies can avoid them. To learn more, visit the Executive briefings page on my website.Support the showJoin Data Diva Confidential for exclusive email content featuring practical guidance, expert analysis, and strategic insights on data privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe at https://www.debbiereynoldsadvisory.com/datadivaconfidentialDebbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

Send us Fan MailAndor Demarteau, Founder and Owner, Shamrock Information SecurityIn this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva speaks with Andor Demarteau, Founder and Owner of Shamrock Information Security, about European data protection, information security, artificial intelligence, encryption, and the growing tension between innovation and fundamental rights. Andor shares his professional background and discusses the history of European privacy protections, from early human rights frameworks and Convention 108 to the GDPR and the expanding collection of European technology laws.The conversation explores the difference between passing regulations and enforcing them effectively. Andor explains why large financial penalties may become little more than a cost of doing business for major technology companies. Debbie and Andor discuss how enforcement that directly affects a company’s operating model can create more meaningful change than fines alone.The episode examines the data hunger of artificial intelligence systems and the risks created when models ingest large volumes of information from businesses, artists, employees, and individuals. Debbie and Andor discuss data scraping, model manipulation, prompt injection, hidden instructions placed within documents, and the importance of protecting organizational information from systems actively searching for accessible data.Debbie and Andor also examine the differences between the GDPR and the EU AI Act. They discuss the EU AI Act’s risk-based approach, its focus on potential harm, and the confusion created as portions of the law take effect while European policymakers simultaneously consider efforts to simplify or change technology regulation. The conversation highlights risks associated with AI use in recruitment, emotional monitoring, surveillance, and automated decision-making.The discussion also addresses proposals to weaken encryption, connect online activity to government identity, and introduce systems that could eliminate meaningful anonymity. Andor explains why universal access keys create security risks and why encryption remains essential to online communication and digital safety. The episode concludes with a discussion of human behavior, data minimization, secure software development, and why collecting less information remains one of the strongest ways to reduce privacy and security risk.By popular demand, Debbie Reynolds Consulting is now offering executive briefings on emerging data privacy risks and how companies can avoid them. To learn more, visit the Executive briefings page on my website.Support the showJoin Data Diva Confidential for exclusive email content featuring practical guidance, expert analysis, and strategic insights on data privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe at https://www.debbiereynoldsadvisory.com/datadivaconfidentialDebbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

Send us Fan MailNaureen Hussain, Founder, Luminate Advisers Limited (United Kingdom)In this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” speaks with Naureen Hussain, Founder of Luminate Advisers Limited in the United Kingdom, about the evolving role of privacy leaders, digital transformation, AI governance, and the importance of moving from gatekeeper to coach. Naureen shares her career journey from employment law into privacy, data protection, and digital transformation, explaining how curiosity and a willingness to raise her hand created new opportunities throughout her career.The conversation explores how privacy professionals can become more effective by helping business teams understand how to achieve responsible outcomes rather than simply explaining legal requirements. Naureen discusses the importance of building trust, developing relationships, and helping stakeholders evaluate practical options and trade-offs.Debbie and Naureen examine the growing pressure on privacy teams as organizations accelerate digital initiatives and AI adoption. They discuss why privacy, data governance, security, architecture, legal, ethics, and business strategy can no longer operate in isolation and why privacy leaders must build strong networks across the organization.Naureen introduces the idea of moving from parent-child workplace dynamics toward adult-to-adult conversations. She explains that privacy leaders should clearly present risks, benefits, and consequences while allowing accountable business leaders to own the final decision. The discussion also highlights the need for risk-based approaches, clear guardrails, and practical escalation processes.The conversation concludes with a discussion of human agency, human rights, workforce transformation, and the role privacy professionals can play in responsible AI adoption. Naureen encourages privacy leaders to move beyond box-ticking, reconnect privacy to its human impact, and engage earlier with business, technology, and Human Resources leaders.Support the showJoin Data Diva Confidential for exclusive email content featuring practical guidance, expert analysis, and strategic insights on data privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe at https://www.debbiereynoldsadvisory.com/datadivaconfidentialDebbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” speaks with Cat Casey, Founder of The Techno Cat and Chief Legal AI Futurist at Masters AI, about the transformation of the legal profession, AI literacy, and the governance challenges created by increasingly autonomous AI systems. Cat shares her unconventional journey from philosophy into legal technology and explains how her work has focused on helping legal professionals understand complex technologies in practical, accessible ways.The conversation explores why AI literacy is becoming an essential professional responsibility for lawyers. Cat explains that legal professionals must understand how AI tools work, where they may fail, and how they affect confidentiality, competence, supervision, and accountability. Debbie and Cat discuss how lawyers remain responsible for verifying anything they sign, submit, or rely upon, regardless of whether AI helped produce it.The episode examines the rise of AI agents and why organizations need stronger controls as systems gain the ability to access data, make decisions, and take actions on behalf of users. Debbie and Cat discuss examples involving an AI agent deleting emails and a chatbot making a promise that created consequences for the company. These examples highlight the need for clear permissions, access controls, human intervention, and accountability.Debbie and Cat also discuss hallucinated legal cases, inaccurate quotations, automation bias, and the risks of outsourcing professional judgment to technology. Cat emphasizes that lawyers must continue reading cases, checking citations, and verifying legal authority, even as AI tools become more sophisticated.The conversation concludes with a discussion of why privacy professionals should be involved much earlier when organizations evaluate and implement new technologies. Cat explains that privacy, security, ethics, and governance must be considered together if organizations want to adopt AI responsibly.By popular demand, Debbie Reynolds Consulting is now offering executive briefings on emerging data privacy risks and how companies can avoid them. To learn more, visit the Executive briefings page on my website.Support the showJoin Data Diva Confidential for exclusive email content featuring practical guidance, expert analysis, and strategic insights on data privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe at https://www.debbiereynoldsadvisory.com/datadivaconfidentialDebbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

Send us Fan MailKeith Weisman, Head of Forward Deployed Engineering, Jetstream SecurityIn this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy, Debbie Reynolds,  The Data Diva speaks with Keith Weisman, Head of Forward Deployed Engineering at Jetstream Security, about AI governance, security, visibility, and the growing challenges organizations face as artificial intelligence becomes deeply integrated into business operations. Keith shares his engineering and security background and explains how organizations are increasingly struggling to understand where AI is being used, how it accesses data, and what governance controls are necessary to support safe and responsible adoption.The conversation explores how AI is rapidly becoming embedded across organizations, often faster than governance programs can keep pace with. Debbie and Keith discuss the growing problem of shadow AI, where employees adopt AI tools outside approved processes and oversight structures. They examine why organizations need greater visibility into AI usage, including what tools are being used, who is using them, what data is being shared, and how AI systems interact with business processes and sensitive information.Keith introduces Jetstream Security's framework for addressing what he describes as five critical AI trust gaps: visibility, design control, continuous monitoring and drift management, agentic identity, and trust enforcement. He explains that organizations must first understand where AI is being used and how it operates before they can effectively govern it. The framework emphasizes the importance of understanding AI system design, monitoring for changes and unexpected behavior over time, establishing accountability for AI actions, and creating safeguards that maintain trust as AI capabilities continue to evolve.The episode also explores the rise of AI agents and non-human identities. Keith explains that organizations have traditionally managed identities for people, applications, and devices, but AI introduces a new category of actors that can make decisions, interact with systems, and perform tasks autonomously. Debbie and Keith discuss why AI agents require the same level of oversight, permissions management, monitoring, and accountability that organizations already apply to human users and other privileged identities.Throughout the conversation, Keith shares real-world examples illustrating the risks associated with AI systems that are granted excessive access or insufficient oversight. These examples include AI systems making unauthorized changes, interacting with systems in unexpected ways, and performing actions that organizations did not anticipate. The discussion highlights the importance of applying established governance principles such as least-privilege access, monitoring, accountability, and risk management to AI-enabled environments.Debbie and Keith also discuss the relationship between innovation and governance, emphasizing that governance should not be viewed as a barrier to innovation. Instead, effective governance provides the foundation organizations need to deploy AI responsibly and at scale. As AI systems become increasingly integrated into business operations, organizations must develop new approaches to visibility, accountability, identity management, and trust that address both human and non-human actors operating within complex digital ecosystems.The conversation concludes with a discussion of the future of AI governance and the importance of creating frameworks that allow organizations to benefit from AI while maintaining security, privacy, compliance, and trust. Keith emphasizes that organizations that invest in visibility, accountability, and governance today will be better positioned to manage risk and realize the long-term benefits of AI adoption.By popular demand, Debbie Reynolds Consulting is now offering executive briefings on emerging data privacy risks and how companies can avoid them. To learn more, visit the Executive briefings page on my website.Support the showJoin Data Diva Confidential for exclusive email content featuring practical guidance, expert analysis, and strategic insights on data privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe at https://www.debbiereynoldsadvisory.com/datadivaconfidentialDebbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

Send us Fan MailLaura Pleskatcheva, Data Privacy and AI Governance OperationsIn this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy, Debbie Reynolds,  The Data Diva speaks with Laura Pleskatcheva, a Data Privacy and AI Governance Operations professional, about the critical role privacy operations plays in helping organizations translate regulatory requirements into practical business processes. Laura shares her career journey from corporate finance into privacy, explaining how her interests in business operations, technology, compliance, and cross-functional collaboration led her to a career in privacy and AI governance.The conversation explores the common misconception that privacy is solely a legal or compliance function. Laura explains that while legal teams focus on understanding requirements and obligations, privacy operations is responsible for implementing those requirements in a way that works across the organization. Debbie and Laura discuss the distinction between the "what" and the "how," highlighting how privacy operations serves as the bridge between policy and execution.The episode examines the practical work involved in operationalizing privacy programs, including project management, relationship building, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration. Laura explains that privacy professionals frequently work across legal, marketing, HR, technology, security, and business teams to ensure that privacy requirements are effectively implemented. The discussion highlights why communication, influence, and collaboration are often just as important as technical or legal knowledge.Debbie and Laura also explore the importance of organizational culture and leadership support in building successful privacy programs. Laura emphasizes that privacy is a team sport and that executive engagement is often the key factor that determines whether privacy initiatives succeed. When leadership understands privacy risks and values trust and integrity, organizations are better positioned to integrate privacy into everyday business practices.The conversation also addresses the rapid pace of technological change and the growing attention organizations are placing on artificial intelligence. Laura explains that while AI has become a major focus for businesses, privacy requirements and obligations have not disappeared. Organizations must continue managing privacy compliance while simultaneously developing governance frameworks for AI technologies. The discussion highlights the need for organizations to understand how personal data is used within AI systems and to educate both employees and consumers about the risks and benefits associated with emerging technologies.The episode concludes with a discussion of third-party risk management and vendor accountability. Debbie and Laura examine the challenges organizations face when working with vendors that process personal data and discuss the importance of contracts, audits, due diligence, trust, and ongoing oversight. As organizations become increasingly interconnected through technology platforms and outsourced services, strong vendor governance practices remain a critical component of privacy and AI governance programs.This episode is sponsored by JetStream Security. If you govern privacy or legal risk, you know the hardest AI question is who did what, with whose data, and on what authority. JetStream answers it. Every AI action, attributable to an identity. Every output, traceable to a purpose. See how at jetstream.security.Support the showJoin Data Diva Confidential for exclusive email content featuring practical guidance, expert analysis, and strategic insights on data privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe at https://www.debbiereynoldsadvisory.com/datadivaconfidentialDebbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

Send us Fan MailPatrick Zeller, General Counsel, Jetstream SecurityIn this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy, Debbie Reynolds,  The Data Diva, speaks with Patrick Zeller, General Counsel of Jetstream Security, about artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, privacy, and the evolving risks organizations face as AI becomes embedded throughout their operations. Patrick shares his unique career journey from the Illinois Attorney General's Office into technology law, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, explaining how his early interest in computers shaped a career that bridges both legal and technical disciplines.The conversation explores how organizations are adopting AI at an unprecedented pace and why many leaders are struggling to understand the risks associated with these technologies. Patrick explains that AI entered many organizations through productivity tools and enterprise platforms before legal, privacy, and security teams had an opportunity to evaluate its implications. As a result, many companies are now working to gain visibility into how AI is being used, what information is being shared, and where risks may exist.Debbie and Patrick discuss AI risk through three primary categories: input risks, output risks, and related organizational risks. They examine how employees may inadvertently expose sensitive information by entering confidential, financial, employee, legal, or proprietary information into AI systems. The discussion highlights real-world examples involving compensation information, trade secrets, attorney-client privileged communications, and sensitive corporate data that may be exposed through unauthorized use of AI tools.The episode explores the growing challenge of shadow AI, where employees use public AI tools outside approved enterprise environments. Patrick explains that organizations must understand which AI tools are being used, who is using them, and which systems and data those tools can access. The conversation also covers SEC reporting obligations, cross-border data transfer concerns, unauthorized access incidents, insider threat risks, and the growing need for organizations to monitor AI interactions with sensitive business information.Patrick and Debbie discuss how organizations must rethink traditional security models because AI is no longer operating outside the corporate perimeter. Instead, AI increasingly functions as an insider with potential access to valuable data and systems. The conversation explores how organizations can improve visibility, governance, and oversight while balancing innovation and business objectives.The discussion concludes with a broader examination of how society is approaching AI adoption. Patrick introduces the concept of a "Galbraithian inversion," in which organizations adopt powerful technologies before fully understanding how they work. Debbie and Patrick discuss why this creates both opportunities and challenges as companies race to deploy AI while simultaneously trying to understand its legal, security, privacy, and governance implications.By popular demand, Debbie Reynolds Consulting is now offering executive briefings on emerging data privacy risks and how companies can avoid them. To learn more, visit the Executive briefings page on my website.Support the showJoin Data Diva Confidential for exclusive email content featuring practical guidance, expert analysis, and strategic insights on data privacy, AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology, delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe at https://www.debbiereynoldsadvisory.com/datadivaconfidentialDebbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC