In Episode 266 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks to Matthew Kay, Group Data Protection Officer at Shawbrook. Their discussion centers on pragmatic data protection, responsible governance, and the realities of advising organizations that are rapidly scaling or adopting emerging technologies. Matthew explains why trust building, timing, and understanding business context are essential for privacy professionals seeking to drive meaningful change.

Debbie and Matthew explore the challenges created by fast moving artificial intelligence adoption, including transparency gaps, organizational pressures to automate, and the difficulty of maintaining meaningful oversight as data processing grows more complex. Matthew describes how privacy professionals can enable innovation by identifying mitigations early, embedding privacy by design, and guiding business leaders toward safe, sustainable data use. They also discuss why effective data protection requires risk balancing rather than rigid absolutism, and how credibility and constructive engagement support long term compliance.

Their conversation concludes with a focus on the future of data management and the importance of ongoing stewardship. Matthew reflects on the parallels between data governance in everyday life and large corporate environments, emphasizing continuous organization, monitoring, and clarity of purpose. Debbie and Matthew highlight why global communities benefit from sharing best practices across jurisdictions and how pragmatic, human-centered governance helps strengthen trust and resilience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In Episode 265 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks to James Robson, Data Protection Officer for the Labour Party in the United Kingdom. Together, they explore how public sector organizations and political entities navigate modern data protection challenges while balancing public trust, transparency, and societal benefit. Their conversation highlights why research data, safe data environments, and responsible access structures are increasingly essential for tackling complex social problems.

Debbie and James discuss the importance of privacy preserving data sharing for research and the practical realities of enabling societal value without compromising individual rights. James describes his work supporting research ecosystems, including the creation of secure data archives, the role of the Office for National Statistics, and how the United Kingdom’s “five safes” framework helps protect high risk datasets in controlled environments. They also examine the ethical considerations around using sensitive data to improve outcomes for vulnerable groups, and how organizations can design safe, centralized systems without sacrificing privacy.

In the final segment, Debbie and James reflect on the future of data minimization, trust, and governance. They consider how architectures that strictly limit data use could reshape long term privacy protections and discuss the human element required to steward data responsibly. Their conversation underscores the need for collaboration across government, research institutions, and technology teams to build trustworthy systems that support both privacy and public benefit.

In Episode 264 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Brintha Shanmugalingam, Data Governance Expert at Capgemini, about how organizations can reduce privacy risk and unlock innovation by managing data with more context, precision, and intelligence. They explore why traditional governance often restricts value by imposing blanket prohibitions, and how granular, attribute-level stewardship enables safe data usage without unnecessary barriers. Brintha explains how ontological modeling and knowledge graphs help maintain meaning, purpose, and control throughout the data life cycle, even as information moves across borders and functions.

Debbie and Brintha examine the growing importance of aligning privacy, compliance, security, business value, and technical feasibility to establish governance systems that empower rather than block decision makers. They discuss how identifying the specific sensitivity of each data element can prevent misuse while accelerating lawful sharing and innovation in areas such as AI and cross-regional analytics. The conversation also highlights the misconceptions organizations have about risk and why binary thinking about data exposure leads to lost opportunities.

Listeners will learn practical insights for improving data confidence and accountability, including understanding the contextual use of data, designing protections that evolve with business needs, and ensuring safeguards are embedded where work actually happens. This episode encourages leaders to rethink governance as a strategic capability that creates agility, trust, and measurable outcomes when executed with a smarter structure and a deeper understanding.

In Episode 263 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Karen Smiley, Founder and Owner of She Writes AI LLC, about the complex ethical questions emerging as artificial intelligence systems leverage vast amounts of creative and personal data without clear permission or accountability. They examine how rapid innovation is challenging legacy rules around copyright, content reuse, and compensation, especially for creators whose work fuels AI models without acknowledgment or benefit. Karen explains why opacity in data sourcing and AI training has created a critical trust gap that reflects deeper societal risks.

The conversation explores the hidden environmental and labor impacts that many users never see, including the enormous resources required to run large-scale systems and the human labor behind data annotation and content moderation. Debbie and Karen discuss how misinformation, inaccurate outputs, and a lack of transparency threaten both consumer well-being and global cyber resilience, revealing a growing disconnect between hype and ethical responsibility across industries rushing to adopt AI.

Listeners will hear how real awareness and education can empower individuals to ask harder questions, influence product choices, and demand systems that reflect fairness, safety, and truth. This episode highlights why companies must evolve from simply extracting value to earning user trust through ethical design, accountability, and consistent respect for the people who generate data and creativity that make AI possible.

In Episode 262 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Nicola Fabiano, Lawyer, Data Protection, Data Governance and Cybersecurity Advisor, and Author, about how defining artificial intelligence clearly is essential to regulating it effectively. They explain why the world must move beyond broad general terms and begin focusing on artificial intelligence systems to ensure that legal frameworks match the real operational and privacy impacts already influencing everyday life. Nicola shares his view that society is not entering the age of AI, but is finally recognizing its long standing presence and the complexity behind its rapid expansion.

They explore the delicate balance between innovation and fundamental rights as advanced AI becomes deeply integrated into global business, government, infrastructure, and daily decision making. The conversation addresses gaps in traditional oversight, the need for practical governance tools, and how neural network development challenges prior assumptions about data, consent, control, and risk. Nicola outlines why privacy law cannot operate in isolation, but must link with technical standards and ethical expectations to truly protect individuals and prevent unintended harm.

Listeners will gain insight into Nicola’s multi layer approach, which combines legal, scientific, operational, and ethical perspectives to keep AI growth aligned with human values. This episode underscores why collaboration across disciplines is critical for setting boundaries that encourage responsible progress, reduce uncertainty, and build trust in intelligent systems with global influence

In Episode 261 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Jesse Kirkpatrick, Co Director at the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center at George Mason University, about the rapidly expanding adoption of generative artificial intelligence and the significant risks that accompany this high velocity of change. They examine the widespread excitement around AI and why its usefulness is intertwined with sensitive data that may be collected without boundaries or transparency, leaving the public in the dark. The discussion digs into why people cannot easily understand how their data is being used, whether informed consent is truly possible, and what happens when powerful systems learn from information that individuals never intended to share.

Debbie and Jesse also evaluate how governments, major technology companies, and commercial applications rely on massive data acquisition to fuel model performance, raising questions about privacy protection, public safety, and whether surveillance harms can be reversed. They discuss the real dangers behind model hallucination, accuracy failures, security breaches, and malicious exploitation, especially when artificial intelligence is used for high stakes decisions without accountability.

Listeners will learn why Jesse believes responsible innovation must precede scaled deployment and how transparency, enforceable obligations, and redress mechanisms can help society avoid severe consequences as these systems evolve. This episode highlights the urgent need for clear guardrails while encouraging deeper public understanding of how generative AI reshapes social trust, personal rights, and the boundaries of data use.

Episode 260 – Jon Bello: The Evolution of Privacy in the Philippines and Across Asia

In this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, speaks with Jon Bello, Partner at MBS Law Offices and IAPP 2025 Vanguard of the Year, about how the Philippines has emerged as a regional leader in privacy and data protection. They discuss how the country transitioned from business process outsourcing compliance to a culture of national awareness, and how its unique cultural and legal frameworks continue to influence privacy in Asia. Jon explains that the Philippines was one of the first Asian nations to pass a comprehensive data privacy law after the EU Data Directive but before the GDPR. He and Debbie examine how the Filipino language lacks a direct translation for the word “privacy,” reflecting a family-centric culture that values openness and community. They explore how this cultural context has shaped attitudes toward data sharing and protection. Jon also highlights how the National Privacy Commission has creatively raised public awareness through social media, educational jingles, and outreach campaigns aimed at children.

The discussion explores how the BPO industry contributed to the passage of the 2012 Privacy and Cybersecurity Laws and how many organizations now operate under three concurrent frameworks: U.S. privacy laws, such as HIPAA and PCI DSS, the Philippine Data Privacy Act, and the GDPR. Jon explains the importance of the Philippine requirement for a “privacy manual,” which goes beyond a privacy policy to define accountability and governance, as well as the legal requirement to register Data Protection Officers. Debbie and Jon also examine the region’s growing focus on AI governance, including Japan’s soft-law model and the Philippines’ proposed registration system for high-risk AI. The episode highlights the cultural diversity and context-specific nature of Asia’s privacy frameworks, underscoring their critical role in the global dialogue on privacy and technology.

Episode 259 – Andreea Lisievici Nevin: Building Global Privacy Leadership and Culture

In this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, speaks with Andreea Lisievici Nevin, Privacy, Digital, and AI Lawyer at PrivacyCraft, about how privacy leadership must extend beyond compliance to become an integral part of organizational culture and accountability. They discuss how privacy has evolved from a niche legal concern into a global business imperative that demands collaboration across legal, technical, and operational teams. Andreea explains that while many professionals understand the rules, the real challenge lies in translating those rules into effective, repeatable business processes. She and Debbie explore the difference between describing what compliance requires and operationalizing those requirements inside complex organizations.

The discussion examines how privacy professionals serve as bridge builders between legal, business, and technical domains, using communication and practical governance to ensure accountability. Andreea describes the cultural differences between privacy leadership in the European Union and the United States, noting that U.S. privacy officers often take a more proactive and decision-making role, while EU data protection officers function as independent advisors rather than implementers. Debbie and Andreea also emphasize the importance of tone from the top, explaining that privacy culture cannot thrive without active leadership support and visible alignment with company values. They explore why accountability must be embedded through clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines, rather than being treated as a checkbox exercise. The conversation also covers the role of certification in the profession and why credentials alone do not ensure true capability. Andreea explains that continuous learning, mentorship, and collaboration are essential for sustaining privacy excellence. The episode highlights how communication, trust, and shared ownership define mature privacy programs and how strong leadership helps organizations transform compliance into enduring value.

Episode 258 – Terry Bollinger: Understanding the Limits of Artificial Intelligence

In this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, speaks with Terry Bollinger, retired technology analyst at MITRE, about the limits of artificial intelligence and the growing risks of relying on systems that only mimic human understanding. They discuss how large language models operate as mimicry machines, imitating intelligence rather than achieving it, and how this design choice leads to fundamental weaknesses in trust, accuracy, and accountability. Terry explains that AI models based on probability and pattern replication erase uniqueness, creating false confidence in their results. He warns that by averaging data rather than analyzing meaning, these systems blur important distinctions, making it difficult to detect errors, anomalies, or malicious activity. Debbie and Terry explore why true privacy and security depend on identifying outliers —the small deviations that reveal hidden threats, rather than relying on average trends.

Terry describes how traditional security systems are built on clearly defined boundaries, data paths, and verification processes, while modern AI systems often remove those controls. He emphasizes that when data is distributed, reweighted, and stored probabilistically, it becomes nearly impossible to verify what has been learned, lost, or leaked. The conversation examines the risks of utilizing LLMs in sensitive environments, where transmitting confidential data to remote commercial systems can compromise containment and integrity. Terry discusses how interpolation, or the act of filling in the blanks when data is missing, leads AI to generate convincing but incorrect answers, what he calls “random noise masquerading as insight.” Debbie and Terry also examine why intelligence, wisdom, and comprehension cannot be replicated through scale or speed. The episode concludes with a reflection on the importance of human judgment, accountability, and boundary control in an era where automation is expanding faster than understanding.

The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast – Episode 257 with Gina King, Cyber vCISO and Communications Consultant, King and Company Capital, with Debbie Reynolds ‘"The Data Diva”

Struggling to bridge the gap between business and technology teams? In this episode, Gina King shares how building trust and understanding unlocks stronger security outcomes. She also explains why companies rushing into AI without cleaning up their data first are putting their organizations at serious risk.

Gina and I discuss how she bridges communication between technical teams and business leadership, and why understanding motivations and emotions drives better collaboration. We explore how overlooked “folklore processes” create hidden risks, how insider threats and employee churn accelerate knowledge loss during the AI rush, and why privacy and cybersecurity must work symbiotically. Gina explains why data problems almost always precede privacy problems, the dangers of AI drift and misapplied answers, and the legal risks created by unclear contracts, consent gaps, and ambiguous rights to use AI.

We also examine the growing problem of fake AI companies, data-siphoning tools, and the risk they pose to small businesses, and why business leaders must align their data story before adopting AI.

This podcast reaches listeners in 140+ countries and 3,000+ cities and features leaders shaping global privacy, AI, and emerging technology strategy. If you are a business leader, CISO, or privacy professional, this episode will help you prevent AI chaos by fixing your data story and building trust between teams.

Subscribe to The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast for more conversations with global leaders shaping the future of privacy, data, and emerging technology.

#dataprivacy #datadiva #privacy #cybersecurity #AI #datagovernance #businessrisk

Episode 256 – Jennifer Wondracek, Director of the Law Library and Professor of Legal Research and Writing, Capital University Law School, ABA Women of Legal Tech Honoree

What happens when courts rely on fake cases created by AI? Jennifer Wondracek examines the risks associated with AI in legal research and education.

On The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” speaks with Jennifer Wondracek, Director of the Law Library and Professor of Legal Research and Writing at Capital University Law School, and ABA Women of Legal Tech Honoree, about the risks of AI in legal research and the responsibility of lawyers and educators to ensure its proper use. Wondracek highlights how courts have already faced real-world consequences when AI systems generated fabricated cases, exposing serious risks to professional practice.

She shares her perspective as a leader in law librarianship and legal technology, describing the epidemic of misattributed citations in legal filings and the dangers of allowing AI to revise legal writing without proper oversight. Wondracek explains why lawyers must verify sources rather than rely blindly on AI outputs, and why technology competency is now a critical requirement in the profession. She traces the shift from print to digital research and considers how AI represents the next stage of transformation. The discussion also addresses how legal education must adapt to prepare students for AI-driven research and practice, ensuring the next generation is ready to use these tools responsibly.

This episode offers valuable insights not only to lawyers and educators but also to anyone curious about how AI is reshaping trust, accountability, and knowledge in fields that impact society as a whole.

Hosted by Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” bringing global leaders together on privacy, cybersecurity, and emerging technology.

Episode 255 – Don Morron, Founder and CEO of Highland Tech, AI Agents for Enterprise

What does it take to build resilience in a world of constant cyber threats? Don Morron shares strategies for adapting without losing control.

On The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” interviews Don Morron, Founder and CEO of Highland Tech, AI Agents for Enterprise, about how executives can build resilience into their organizations in the face of a constantly evolving cyber threat landscape. Morron shares lessons from his leadership journey in cybersecurity and explains why resilience cannot be bolted on after the fact but must be embedded into enterprise systems from the very beginning.

The conversation covers how AI is reshaping cybersecurity, both by enabling attackers with new tools and by empowering defenders with advanced capabilities. Morron provides practical insights into managing enterprise security operations in rapidly changing conditions without compromising organizational control. He stresses the importance of communication and collaboration across teams, highlighting how siloed approaches undermine resilience. The episode also explains why proactive governance and long-term planning are far more effective than reactive firefighting.

These insights are useful not only for executives and security leaders but also for anyone interested in how organizations adapt to technology-driven risks and build strength in uncertain times.

Hosted by Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” bringing global leaders together on privacy, cybersecurity, and emerging technology.

Episode 254 – Bryan Lee, Founder and General Partner, Privatus Consulting

Why do privacy programs fail even when companies want to succeed? Bryan Lee explains why communication is the missing piece.

On The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” welcomes Bryan Lee, Founder and General Partner at Privatus Consulting, to discuss why effective privacy programs succeed through strong communication rather than technical jargon. Lee explains how privacy engineering serves as a critical link between policy, compliance, and technical teams, and why clear communication is often the deciding factor in whether organizations achieve their privacy goals.

He explains why many companies fail at privacy, despite genuine intent, often because coordination among stakeholders breaks down. Lee reflects on his own career path, transitioning from intelligence work to privacy consulting, and shares insights into how organizations can overcome communication barriers to develop programs that are both compliant and effective. The conversation also covers the risks of misjudging AI, particularly the mistake of treating systems as if they were human, and how this misunderstanding creates governance and operational problems.

This episode offers strategies for bridging gaps, enhancing collaboration, and addressing complex issues, resonating with privacy leaders, compliance professionals, and anyone seeking to understand how effective communication drives successful outcomes in organizations.

Hosted by Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” bringing global leaders together on privacy, cybersecurity, and emerging technology.

Episode 253 – Priya Gnanasekaran, Senior Security Engineer at LAB3 (Australia)

Can AI be both a risk and a defense? In this episode, Priya Gnanasekaran shares how organizations can manage today’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges.

On The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” speaks with Priya Gnanasekaran, Senior Security Engineer at LAB3 (Australia), about the complex challenges cybersecurity leaders face with AI, IoT, and cloud security. Drawing on her decade-long career spanning DevSecOps, engineering, and operations, Gnanasekaran explains why cybersecurity cannot be reduced to a single field but must be understood as an amalgamation of multiple interconnected disciplines. She highlights the distinction between IT and cybersecurity and explains why this distinction is crucial for executives making risk and investment decisions.

The conversation examines AI’s dual role in cybersecurity, acting both as a new attack vector and as a defensive tool that, when used responsibly, can strengthen organizational security. Gnanasekaran also details the risks of shadow AI and unmonitored enterprise use, exposing businesses to unmanaged vulnerabilities. She addresses weaknesses in IoT ecosystems, including outdated devices and hardware flaws, and argues that these cannot be solved through patchwork responses. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of “shifting left” by embedding security earlier in DevSecOps processes. Gnanasekaran stresses that cybersecurity cannot be treated like a fire department that responds only after damage has been done.

This discussion offers valuable lessons on resilience, innovation, and proactive strategy, applicable not only to security professionals but also to anyone interested in understanding how digital systems can be better protected and managed.

Hosted by Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” bringing global leaders together on privacy, cybersecurity, and emerging technology.

🎙️ Episode 252 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast – J. Mark Bishop and Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, on AI myths, GDPR safeguards, and energy costs of large models

In this episode, I speak with J. Mark Bishop, Professor of Cognitive Computing Emeritus at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Scientific Advisor to Fact360, about the myths and realities of artificial intelligence.

Our discussion begins with how we describe AI itself. Mark challenges the language we use, terms like “learning” in machine learning, and argues that much of what is happening is, in fact, just optimization. We examine how anthropomorphic language about AI can create misplaced expectations, shaping how the public and policymakers perceive these technologies.

We examine the tension between AI and privacy, particularly in relation to transparency. Mark reflects on the protections built into frameworks like the GDPR, which explicitly address how personal data may be used when AI makes or informs significant decisions. We examine how these rules strike a balance between individual rights and the need to utilize AI systems in business and government.

Another major theme is metadata analysis. Mark shares insights from his work at Fact360, where analyzing patterns of communication without even looking at message content can reveal signals of organizational change, insider threats, or misconduct. This approach has roots in traffic analysis techniques dating back to World War II, showing how metadata continues to play a powerful role in intelligence and security.

We also discuss the scaling laws of AI and whether building increasingly larger data centers will ultimately lead to artificial general intelligence. Mark strongly critiques this idea, raising concerns about the energy demands of massive AI models. He points out the environmental and ethical costs of data centers, which consume energy on the scale of entire nations, especially when many communities still live in energy poverty.

This episode brings together philosophy, technology, governance, and ethics, a conversation that questions not just what AI is, but what it should be.

Subscribe to “The Data Diva” Talks Privacy Podcast, now available on all major podcast directories, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, and more.

Hosted by Data Diva Media
Debbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

#AI #ethics #metadata #GDPR #datagovernance #sustainability
#dataprivacy #datadiva #privacy #cybersecurity

In episode 251 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, host Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” welcomes Ilia Dubovtsev, Founder of Dub Consulting, joining from Moscow, Russia. he discussion centers on the complexities of privacy in the workplace and how emerging technologies, especially AI, are reshaping the boundaries of personal data and institutional responsibility. Ilia shares his framework for operationalizing privacy—built on the principles of accountability, fairness, and balancing interests, and explains why this model is essential when managing employee data in digitally driven environments.

Ilia shares his belief that privacy is the maximum expression of individual liberty. He developed a three-pillar framework for privacy programs: accountability, balance of interest, and fairness. He explains how these principles can be applied across jurisdictions, whether in Russia, Europe, or the United States. Despite the United States’ lack of a comprehensive federal privacy law, Ilia notes that core principles like non-discrimination and transparency often serve as common ground for workplace privacy protections.

Debbie and Ilia dive deep into the complexities of employee privacy, comparing regulatory and cultural variations. They acknowledge that workplace data, often governed by contract law, labor law, and surveillance practices, is uniquely sensitive because employees have fewer choices about whether and how their data is collected. The conversation shifts to the influence of AI in the workplace. Ilia envisions AI empowering employees by reducing dependency on traditional corporate structures, potentially shifting employer-employee dynamics to a more equitable “peer” relationship. He proposes a new privacy policy model that includes (1) transparent data practices, (2) distinct policy boundaries across employment stages, and (3) accessible remedies for challenging data misuse. Ilia stresses the need for literacy, both technical and legal, to protect workers and hold employers accountable.

The episode concludes with a thoughtful exchange on liberty, trust, and the potential of fair AI governance. Ilia emphasizes that privacy must be preserved through principled regulation and public education, rather than a proliferation of fragmented, burdensome rules. He cites the U.S. scholarly conversation around the “duty of loyalty” and calls for frameworks that ensure both data accountability and empowerment for individuals.

#EmployeePrivacy #GlobalPrivacyFramework #AIinWorkplace #DubConsulting #PrivacyRights #DigitalGovernance #DataLiberty #WorkplaceEthics #AIandHR #PrivacyLiteracy

In episode 250 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, host Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” welcomes Marianne Mazaud, Co-Founder of AI ON US, an International Executive Summit Focused on Responsible Artificial Intelligence, co-created with Thomas Lozopone. They explore the powerful relationship between AI, privacy, and trust, emphasizing how leaders can take actionable steps to create inclusive and ethically grounded AI systems.

Marianne shares insights from her extensive experience in creative performance marketing and brand protection, including how generative AI technologies have created both opportunities and new risks. She stresses the importance of privacy and inclusion in AI governance, especially in high-risk sectors like healthcare and education.

The conversation moves to public trust in AI. Marianne references a study revealing widespread distrust in AI systems due to cybersecurity concerns, algorithmic bias, and lack of transparency. She highlights the need to involve more diverse voices, including individuals with disabilities and children, in the development of emerging technologies. Marianne and Debbie also examine the role of data privacy in consumer trust, citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers report showing that 83% of consumers believe data protection is essential to building trust with businesses.

They compare AI regulatory landscapes across the European Union and the United States. Marianne outlines how the EU AI Act places joint responsibility on AI developers and providers, which can introduce compliance complexities, especially for small businesses. She explains how these regulations can be difficult to implement retroactively and may impact innovation when not considered early in the development process.

Marianne closes by introducing the AI On Us initiative and the International Summit on Responsible AI for Executives. These efforts are designed to support leaders navigating AI governance through immersive workshops, best practices, and applied exercises. She also describes the Arborist Charter, a commitment to gender equality and inclusion in AI that has been adopted by 150 companies globally.

In episode 249 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, host Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” welcomes Marlyse McQuillen, Vice President of Regulatory Compliance, Privacy, and AI at IntegraConnect LLC. Their conversation offers a multidimensional exploration of privacy, from professional ethics and emerging legal conflicts to education policy and AI governance.

Marlyse shares her journey into privacy law, which began during her work as a corporate attorney and expanded through roles in sectors such as health care, finance, and security. She reflects on her professional evolution and her aspirations to bring her cross-industry expertise to companies, especially as organizations increasingly confront regulatory pressure in the areas of consumer data and artificial intelligence.

The conversation dives into privacy issues in healthcare, where Marlyse emphasizes the risks of digital health data in a landscape that continues to shift toward value-based care. She highlights how HIPAA and HIPAA adjacent laws or obligations create complexities in addressing data outside of traditional clinical systems. This becomes especially urgent when companies face financial instability. Marlyse details the example of 23AndMe, a major bankruptcy involving genetic data, in which states raised objections to the sale of consumer health information, and the court ultimately appointed a consumer privacy ombudsman. She and Debbie underscore the long-term damage to trust when sensitive personal data is treated as a transferable asset during bankruptcy proceedings.

The discussion also touches on public digital exposure through the lens of the “Coldplaygate” incident, where a viral Kiss Cam moment led to the resignation of a company CEO. Marlyse and Debbie reflect on how these seemingly lighthearted digital moments can carry real consequences, especially in an era of high surveillance and online amplification. They emphasize the importance of discretion and privacy boundaries, even in public settings.

Marlyse brings a strong policy perspective, advocating for legislative updates to genetic privacy laws and more comprehensive protection for children in schools. She is actively working with the Plunk Foundation to build a digital literacy curriculum that educates young people on safe AI use and privacy rights. She envisions federal mandates for consumer data protection education as a way to create foundational awareness early in life.

The episode closes with personal reflections on the rewarding yet difficult work of privacy leadership, the importance of soft skills development, and Marlyse’s creative approach to privacy education, including a song she wrote to raise awareness about data rights. Throughout, she champions practical reforms, better breach responses, and a cultural shift toward accountability in both public and private uses of technology.

#DigitalHealthPrivacy #GeneticData #AIinEducation #ConsumerTrust #Coldplaygate #PrivacyEducation #PlunkFoundation #PrivacyBankruptcy #PrivacyLeadership #DigitalLiteracy #DataRights

Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” speaks with Damilola Adenuga-Taiwo, a cybersecurity and compliance professional with extensive expertise in payment systems, PCI DSS, ISO standards, and governance frameworks. We discuss his unconventional path into the field, beginning with teaching postgraduate technology courses and evolving into global consulting roles focused on cybersecurity risk, assessments, and compliance. Damilola explains the critical role of standards like PCI DSS in securing cardholder data, how global payment brands shaped their adoption, and why such frameworks succeed even without legal mandates.

We explore the nuanced differences between privacy and cybersecurity, the challenges of implementing compliance in high-friction environments such as digital payments, and how financial institutions have effectively balanced innovation with data protection. Damilola also explores the convergence of security and privacy, illustrating how standards require organizations to consider not only what data is collected, but also why, for how long, and under what conditions it must be deleted.

A major theme of the episode is the growing concern over AI misuse, ranging from deepfakes and fraud to the psychological implications of relying on generative AI daily. Damilola reflects on how tools like ChatGPT are rapidly transforming work habits, raising ethical questions about digital dependency, and blurring the line between convenience and risk. We also discuss the widening regulatory gap, the need for proactive standards, and how cybersecurity professionals can bridge the chasm between policy, practice, and public trust.

This episode offers practical and philosophical insights for anyone grappling with the accelerating pace of AI, the rigor of compliance, and the evolving definitions of data responsibility. We hope for a future where robust compliance frameworks, informed users, and ethical innovation collaborate to ensure digital safety and personal autonomy.

Debbie Reynolds, “The Data Diva,” talks to Michael Robbins, Social Entrepreneur and Civic Builder, and a visionary in building human-plus-digital learning ecosystems. We discuss his decades-long journey at the intersection of education, technology, and community, from grassroots innovation to White House policy. Michael shares a compelling vision for the future of AI in education, centered on empowering individuals to create and control their own AI narratives. He introduces his data model, called DOTES (Do, Observe, Tell, Explore, Show), which captures real-world learning experiences and enables the training of personalized AI agents grounded in data integrity and digital personhood.

Our conversation explores the concept of implication models, AI systems that learn from and work for people, rather than exploiting their data. Michael draws parallels between decentralized data governance and the design of AI trusts, where individuals have full control over their digital identities and contributions. We also explore the limitations of current large language models and discuss new frameworks that could rebuild AI from the ground up, centering privacy, consent, and community.

Together, we envision a future where youth and adults alike use AI not as a replacement for human intelligence but as a tool for self-expression, empowerment, and democratic participation. This episode is a masterclass in AI ethics, digital sovereignty, and the urgent need to shift from extractive technologies to human-first ecosystems. We hope for a future where data privacy is not just a legal checkbox, but a fundamental principle of technological design and societal infrastructure.