Infogov Hot Seat

Hosted by Jim Merrifield

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Candid interviews with practitioners, consultants and solution providers on hot topics in the information governance industry.

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June 7, 2026Episode 997 min

Federal Records Management, AI, and Why "Content is Key" with Hyland’s Wesley Callahan

In this live episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat recorded straight from the ARMA Federal Summit in Reston, Virginia, host Jim Merrifield sits down with Wesley Callahan, Senior Account Executive at Hyland Software.With over 30 years of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) experience in the federal space, Wesley breaks down why the massive shift toward Artificial Intelligence (AI) and agentic processing requires organizations to look backward at how they manage data, information, and records. If you think data is all you need to train AI models, this episode will challenge your strategy.Content is the Foundation: Why you cannot successfully implement government AI models without a clear view of where your content is stored, how long you keep it, and what you do with it.The Value Equation: Breaking down Jim’s ultimate formula: $\text{Data} + \text{Information} + \text{Records} = \text{Value}$.FOIA Integration Challenges: Why siloed repositories and disconnected workflows slow down FOIA officers and record managers.Content as a Strategic Asset: Shifting the perspective of a record from "something you just have to deal with" to a critical, ubiquitous enterprise asset.A Fun Fact: Get to know the man behind the software—from growing up on a Kansas ranch to living with two Labradors in a tight NYC apartment!Learn more about Hyland Software: Hyland.com

June 7, 2026Episode 9812 min

AI-Driven Information Governance: Inside the ARMA Federal Summit with Will Talbot (Laserfiche)

In this live episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield (Chief Data Officer, Robinson+Cole) sits down with Will Talbot, Manager of Enterprise Sales at Laserfiche, direct from the ARMA Federal Summit in Reston, Virginia.With over 12 years of experience in records and information management, Will dives deep into the biggest challenge facing federal records officers today: overcoming user resistance and making compliance seamless. He shares how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is completely transforming the Information Governance (IG) landscape—shifting the burden away from manual metadata entry and towards powerful, natural language automation.The Evolution of Laserfiche: From translating microfiche to laser discs 50 years ago to pioneering modern, paperless cloud enterprise content management (ECM).AI as an IG Game Changer: How generative AI and intelligent software agents allow users to manage, classify, and audit millions of records effortlessly using natural language commands.Streamlining Compliance & Transparency: Overcoming the risk of "shelfware" by prioritizing user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) to boost organizational adoption.The Value Formula: A look at how combining Data + Information + Records ultimately equals core business value.“The easier you can make it for people to manage their records, the more likely they are to actually do it and maintain compliance.” — Will TalbotLearn more about Laserfiche: Laserfiche Official Website

June 7, 2026Episode 978 min

AI Readiness and Records Management with John Beglan

In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield sits down with John Beglan from Tungsten Automation live at the ARMA Federal Summit in Reston, Virginia.John discusses how Tungsten Automation (formerly known as Kofax) is tackling the unique challenges faced by the federal government, focusing on driving efficiencies through intelligent capture, case management, and records management. They dive deep into the buzz surrounding agentic AI, the realities of government infrastructure, and why the path forward requires a shared data foundation between industry and the public sector. John also shares a key piece of advice for federal records officers looking to prepare for the future of AI.Targeted Focus: Rather than trying to "boil the ocean," focus on specific mandates and proven use cases like case, grant, and records management.The AI Gap: While "agentic AI" is a popular buzzword, the federal government faces constraints in skills, infrastructure, and sustained funding before widespread adoption can take off.Aging Infrastructure: Approximately 70% of federal IT systems in the country are 10 to 30+ years old, creating a massive hurdle for modern AI readiness.A Collaborative Solution: Success will require clear standards, strong data foundations, and open collaboration between industry experts and government agencies.John Beglan – Sales Director, Tungsten AutomationWebsite: Tungsten Automation

June 7, 2026Episode 968 min

Information Governance, GenAI, and Records Management in the Federal vs. Private Sectors

In this live episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat from ARMA’s Federal Summit, host Jim Merrifield sits down with Kon Leong, CEO and Co-founder of ZL Technologies.With over 26 years of experience managing petabytes of unstructured data for Fortune 100 companies, Kon shares his unique perspectives on how the rapid rise of generative AI is changing the landscape of data governance.Highlights from this episode include:A Personal Look: Kon discusses his interest in Wabi-Sabi, the Japanese philosophy of embracing imperfection, and how it translates to handling the real-world complexities of human data.Federal vs. Private AI Adoption: An analysis of why the public sector is facing a distinct set of hurdles compared to the private sector when integrating breaking AI technologies.Unifying the Silos: Why traditional data silos crash and burn under today's massive data volumes, and why a unified platform approach is necessary to satisfy FOIA, NARA, litigation, and privacy regulations.Key Advice for Federal Records Officers: Kon explains why leaders need to "put on their high beams" and focus on long-term strategy rather than quick-fix point solutions.To learn more about Kon's work, visit zlti.com.

April 6, 2026Episode 9517 min

AI Governance and Defensible Disposal: A Practical Roadmap for 2026

In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, experts tackle one of the biggest mistakes organizations make with defensible disposal: treating it as an all-or-nothing initiative that must be completed at once. Learn why this approach erodes credibility and how to build a sustainable framework for compliance instead.The discussion covers practical implementation strategies for defensible disposal, AI governance controls, and the critical roadmap for information governance success in 2026.KEY TOPICS COVERED:- Why large-scale, poorly socialized disposal initiatives fail- How failed big-bang projects make it harder to restart IG efforts- Starting small with low-hanging fruit to build momentum- Managing large-scale matter mobility between law firms- Expanding governance across collaborative platforms (Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint)- Providing better insights into physical records disposition- Executing large-scale destruction pilots in the first 90 days- Robust audit utilities for ISO and SOC 2 certification requirements- AI governance controls built on governance-first architecture- Managing sensitive data like PII and PHI in AI environments- Navigating retention requirements for AI prompts and outputsCRITICAL INSIGHTS:→ Defensible disposal is not all-or-nothing—start small and scale→ Failed big initiatives damage credibility and make restarts harder→ Target low-hanging fruit first to demonstrate value quickly→ Build a compliance framework incrementally over time→ AI should augment human governance, not replace it→ Governance-first architecture is essential for AI controls→ AI prompt and output retention requires sector-specific evaluation→ Avoid introducing guesswork into AI governance decisions→ Risk versus benefit analysis is crucial for prompt retentionIG PRIORITIES FOR 2026:- Large-scale matter mobility between firms- Cross-platform governance for collaborative tools- Physical records disposition insights and automation- Microsoft 365 integration to meet users where they work- First 90-day destruction pilots for physical and electronic records- Comprehensive audit trails for regulatory complianceAI GOVERNANCE APPROACH:- Build controls on top of governance-first architecture- Focus on managing PII and PHI in AI workflows- Evaluate geopolitical and sector-specific requirements- Research and education needed for prompt retention policies- Balance innovation with defensible governance practicesPRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION:- Be pragmatic—perfection is the enemy of progress- Pilot initiatives to work through stakeholder communication- Start with one practice group or department- Document successes to build organizational buy-in- Use audit utilities to demonstrate compliance value- Celebrate quick wins to maintain momentumFINAL RECOMMENDATION:To improve IG outcomes in the next 30 days, be pragmatic and start small. Focus on piloting initiatives that allow you to work through stakeholder communication and potential challenges before scaling firm-wide.WHO SHOULD WATCH:- Information governance professionals planning disposal projects- Records managers dealing with retention backlogs- Legal operations leaders implementing AI governance- Compliance officers preparing for audits- IT directors managing collaborative platforms- Anyone who has seen a big-bang IG project failThis conversation provides the honest, practical guidance needed to avoid common pitfalls and build sustainable information governance programs that actually work.Subscribe for more insights on information governance, defensible disposal, and AI governance strategies.#DefensibleDisposal #InformationGovernance #AIGovernance #LegalTech #IGDay

April 1, 2026Episode 9421 min

From Information Governance to Governed Intelligence for Trustworthy AI

In this Global Information Governance Day 2026 session, experts discuss the critical shift from traditional information governance to "governed intelligence" as the essential foundation for trustworthy AI in legal organizations.The central message is clear: AI is not a magic wand but an amplifier of your existing data. Firms rushing to adopt AI are discovering that poor information governance leads to poor AI outcomes. What was once an afterthought in law firms is now the prerequisite for successful AI deployment.KEY TOPICS COVERED:- Why AI amplifies your data problems instead of solving them- The shift from information governance to governed intelligence- Building AI-ready data foundations with clean, classified, compliant data- Accelerated defensible disposal and addressing over-retention- Simplifying approval processes for large-scale document disposal- Cross-platform governance across iManage, NetDocuments, SharePoint, and physical records- Moving from fragmented tools to integrated IG frameworks- Establishing visibility over information assets in the first 90 days- Comprehensive auditability with full action logging- Treating IG as a profit center, not a cost centerCRITICAL CAPABILITIES FOR 2026:→ AI-Ready Data Foundations: Ensure data is clean before AI touches it→ Accelerated Defensible Disposal: Get single approvals to clear large volumes→ Cross-Platform Governance: Integrate all repositories into one framework→ Visibility First: Know what you have across all systems→ Complete Auditability: Log every policy, approval, and disposition→ ROI Focus: Reduce storage fees and eliminate DMS overage chargesOPERATIONALIZING SUCCESS:- First 90 Days: Establish complete visibility over information assets- Auditability: Log every action for auditors and dispute resolution- Quick Wins: Target overdue disposition lists for immediate impact- Celebrate Success: Build momentum through visible victories- ROI Metrics: Measure savings from reduced storage and overage feesPRACTICAL ADVICE:Don't let perfection be the enemy of the good. Focus on quick wins:- Target the most overdue disposition lists first- Get single approvals to destroy large batches- Celebrate successes to encourage firm-wide adoption- Start with visibility, then move to action- Measure and communicate cost savingsTHE CORE MESSAGE:Information governance is no longer an afterthought—it's the foundation that determines whether your AI investments succeed or fail. Governed intelligence means your AI is only as trustworthy as the data governance underneath it.WHO SHOULD WATCH:- Information governance professionals preparing for AI integration- Legal operations leaders implementing AI tools- IT directors managing multiple document repositories- Records managers dealing with over-retention- Compliance officers ensuring audit readiness- Law firm partners evaluating AI investments- Anyone responsible for making AI work in legal environmentsThis session provides the roadmap for transforming your information governance from a compliance function into the strategic foundation for trustworthy AI.Subscribe for more insights on information governance, AI readiness, and legal technology transformation.#GovernedIntelligence #InformationGovernance #AIReady #LegalTech #IGDay

March 24, 2026Episode 9324 min

Tony Forde on AI Governance, Dark Data, and ROT Disposal

In this special Global Information Governance Day episode, co-hosts Jim Merrifield and Leigh Zidwick interview Tony Forde, co-founder and CRO of Future in Tech (FIT), about the biggest surprises and priorities shaping information governance in 2026.Tony reveals a critical challenge governance teams face: the vast majority of client-driven data now lives outside traditional Document Management Systems in endpoints like OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams. This "inversion of data sources" is forcing firms to completely rethink their governance strategies.KEY TOPICS COVERED:- The inversion of data sources and why most data lives outside your DMS- Managing dark data and classifying ROT (Redundant, Obsolete, Trivial) information- Meeting attorneys where they work without forcing tool adoption- Practice-group-specific retention rules and automated disposition workflows- How AI is being used for search and classification in governance- Why data minimization is essential before deploying AI effectively- AI governance sandboxes and why firms should own and control them- Getting measurable outcomes within the first 90 days of implementation- Comprehensive auditing for ISO and SOC 2 compliance- Why governance platforms should integrate, not competeCRITICAL INSIGHTS:→ Client-driven data in endpoints now dwarfs data in traditional DMS→ Dark data management is the top priority for governance teams→ Allow attorneys to stay in their preferred environments (Relativity, SharePoint)→ AI requires clean data sets matched across billing, directory, and DMS→ Human interaction remains vital to prevent AI from "making up answers"→ Firms need their own AI sandboxes to monitor usage and govern prompts→ Modern platforms can deliver ROT reports and audits in 90 days→ Automatic logging of approval workflows ensures audit defensibility→ Start small with one practice group, then scale with proven successPRACTICAL ADVICE:- Pilot governance projects with a single practice group or champion- Focus on data minimization before deploying AI tools- Invest in automated, practice-specific retention workflows- Ensure your governance tools integrate with existing platforms- Build comprehensive audit trails for regulatory compliance- Own and control your AI governance environmentSOUND BITES:- "Start small and end big"- "Meet attorneys where they work"- "Manage the unmanageable dark data"WHO SHOULD WATCH:- Information governance professionals in legal firms- Records managers dealing with data sprawl- Legal operations leaders implementing AI- Compliance officers preparing for audits- IT directors managing multiple platforms- Anyone struggling with data outside traditional DMSThis conversation provides a realistic roadmap for tackling the information governance challenges firms actually face in 2026, not theoretical best practices.Subscribe for more insights on information governance, legal technology, and AI integration.#InformationGovernance #DarkData #LegalTech #AIGovernance #IGDay

March 17, 2026Episode 9218 min

Managing the Information Explosion: Global IG Day Expert Panel

In this Global Information Governance Day session, experts tackle one of the biggest challenges facing organizations today: managing the explosion of information across diverse applications. Learn how leading organizations are achieving a single, comprehensive view of their information assets while dramatically reducing file management overhead.This panel discussion explores practical strategies for streamlining operations, improving auditability through robust document management systems, and leveraging digital transformation to enhance overall information governance and optimize critical business workflows.KEY TOPICS COVERED:- The challenge of information explosion across multiple applications- Achieving a single, comprehensive view of information assets- How teams are streamlining operations and reducing overhead- Significantly reducing file management time and complexity- Improving auditability through modern document management solutions- Digital transformation initiatives that enhance information governance- Optimizing critical business process workflows- Making information governance more accessible and less complex- Integration strategies for diverse application ecosystems- Practical steps to simplify governance without sacrificing controlCRITICAL INSIGHTS:→ A single view of information is possible across diverse applications→ Reducing file management overhead frees teams for strategic work→ Robust document management systems improve auditability and compliance→ Digital transformation and IG initiatives should work together→ Business process optimization depends on solid information governance→ Simplified governance increases adoption and effectiveness→ Integration is key to managing the information explosion→ The right technology can make complex governance accessibleWHO SHOULD WATCH:- Information governance professionals seeking to simplify operations- IT leaders managing multiple business applications- Records managers dealing with information overload- Compliance officers needing better auditability- Legal operations teams optimizing workflows- Digital transformation leaders- Anyone struggling with information sprawl across systemsThis session provides actionable strategies for taking control of your information landscape and making governance work in the real world, not just in theory.Subscribe for more insights on information governance, digital transformation, and practical data management strategies.#InformationGovernance #DataGovernance #IGDay #DigitalTransformation

March 5, 2026Episode 9122 min

Information Governance Day 2026: ARMA and ILTA Leaders Speak

In this special Global Information Ngovernance Day episode, Jim Merrifield welcomes leaders from ARMA International and ILTA to discuss the critical role of information governance in 2026 and beyond. Recorded live, this conversation explores why organizations must stop treating IG as a department and start embracing it as shared leadership responsibility.As AI tools reshape how we manage data, experts discuss the evolving landscape of information governance in legal and regulated organizations, the integration of AI into governance practices, and practical steps firms can take to improve outcomes.KEY TOPICS COVERED:- Why information governance is crucial for managing the data explosion- How AI is fundamentally reshaping the IG landscape- The importance of treating IG as shared leadership responsibility, not an IT function- Upcoming ARMA and ILTA events and educational resources for IG professionals- Practical approaches to defensible disposal that build momentum- Integration of collaboration tools into governance strategies- Managing PII risks in AI tools and applications- The critical need for clean, well-structured data for AI functionality- Visibility of information assets and why it matters for governance success- How AI adoption pressures are driving investments in classification capabilitiesCRITICAL INSIGHTS:→ Data becomes your AI advantage when properly governed→ Stop treating information governance as a department or IT problem→ Defensible disposal can start small and scale with success→ Understanding the purpose behind data retention is essential→ AI tools require clean data to function effectively→ User adoption is vital for governance initiative success→ Collaboration across departments is non-negotiable→ Compliance and risk mitigation must be proactive, not reactiveWhether you're an information governance professional, records manager, legal operations leader, or compliance officer, this conversation provides actionable strategies for navigating the intersection of AI, data management, and governance in 2026.Subscribe for more insights on information governance, legal technology, and AI integration.#InformationGovernance #IGDay #ARMA #ILTA #AIGovernance

February 16, 2026Episode 9017 min

Technology Leadership in 2026: CIO on AI, Cyber and Hybrid Work

CIO Rob Gilbert joins Jim Merrifield on the InfoGo Hot Seat to discuss what technology leadership actually looks like in 2026. From AI accountability to cybersecurity threats and hybrid work models, Rob delivers an honest assessment of where professional services firms stand today and what CIOs must do to stay ahead.KEY TOPICS COVERED:- Why change management is the most critical factor in AI adoption- How the billable hour model persists despite AI advancements- Who shares accountability when AI-generated work goes wrong- Why human oversight remains essential in AI-driven processes- The hybrid work model and why it is here to stay- External cybersecurity threats facing firms in 2026- Ethical responsibilities around data deletion practices- Why first-year associates still matter in legal researchCRITICAL INSIGHTS:→ Always have a human in the loop with AI-driven processes→ Accountability for AI work is shared among all stakeholders→ CIOs must adapt faster than ever to rapid technological change→ Hybrid work requires deliberate balance between remote and in-person→ Data deletion practices must align with ethical responsibilities→ External cyber threats remain the top security concern for firms→ AI will not replace first-year associates in legal research anytime soonSOUND BITES:- "It's always IT's fault"- "We're still in the hybrid model"- "Always have a human in the loop"TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - The State of Technology Leadership in 202602:38 - AI Adoption Challenges in Professional Services04:29 - The Future of the Billable Hour Model06:36 - Accountability in AI-Driven Legal Work08:02 - Essential CIO Skills for 202611:33 - The Hybrid Work Environment12:55 - Cybersecurity Threats in 202613:45 - Data Management and Deletion Practices14:48 - AI vs. Human Associates in Research TasksWhether you are a CIO, technology leader, law firm partner, or professional services executive navigating AI transformation, this conversation delivers practical insights on leadership, accountability, and organizational readiness in 2026.Subscribe for more executive insights on AI, technology leadership, and professional services innovation.#CIOLeadership #ArtificialIntelligence #LegalTech #Cybersecurity