The Influencers: Digital Transformation

Hosted by Hogan Lovells Cadwalader

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Jul 2026

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About the show

Welcome to The Influencers , where we bring you insightful conversations with leaders from business, academia and regulating authorities about all aspects of digital transformation and law. How will AI, big data, crypto and other deep digital technologies interact with the emerging laws and regulations? How to support innovation and progress without compromising ethical standards and the need for social responsibility? What are the stories behind new business ventures or legislative initiatives? And most of all: how to harness technological advancements to create wealth and wellbeing for all?

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60 recent

July 8, 2026Episode 6419 min

AI, Regulation, and Europe's Innovation Challenge with Sophie Sohm, Meta

In this episode of The Influencers, Sophie Sohm, Privacy and Data Policy Manager at Meta, joins host Leo von Gerlach to explore the future of AI regulation in Europe. As governments race to establish guardrails for emerging technologies, Sophie argues that the biggest challenge is not the technology itself, but creating clear, practical rules that allow innovation to thrive. From AI adoption to regulatory reform, she explains what Europe must get right to remain competitive. About Sophie Sohm: At Meta, Sophie helps navigate the intersection of AI, privacy, and digital regulation in Europe. Previously with the European Parliament, she brings a policy-focused perspective to some of the most important technology debates shaping innovation today. Sophie also founded the German-speaking chapter of the Women in Security and Privacy (WISP) Network. About Hogan Lovells Cadwalader: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 3200 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

June 29, 2026Episode 6320 min

AI adoption is outpacing organizational capability

In this episode of The Influencers, digital marketing and transformation advisor Steven Golus joins host Leo von Gerlach to examine what is really holding organizations back from getting value out of AI. Across global media and technology businesses, teams are experimenting, but very few are integrating AI in a way that changes how they operate or compete. From low leadership fluency to unclear ownership, Steven shows how the barriers are practical, not technical. Those moving ahead are embedding AI into how work gets done, focusing on high-impact use cases, and building real capability across teams. If you want to understand how to move from interest to execution, this conversation shows what it takes. About Steven Golus: Steven Golus brings over 25 years’ experience across leading digital advertising platforms including Google, DoubleClick, DataXu, and x+1. Today, he advises and trains global media and marketing teams on how to operationalize digital and AI in practice, from programmatic and data to measurement and streaming. Learn more at stevengolus.com. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

June 17, 2026Episode 6229 min

AI disputes are here. Are you ready?

AI disputes are moving from theory to reality. In this episode of The Influencers, partners Morten Petersenn and PJ Kaur take host Leo von Gerlach inside a fast-evolving litigation landscape where copyright, data, and AI collide across Europe and APAC. As generative AI scales, disputes now cut across multiple risk areas, from deepfakes and platform liability to data protection and personality rights, all shaped by fragmented and fast-changing rules across jurisdictions. With that complexity comes a clear shift in approach. Leading organizations are not trying to eliminate AI risk, they are managing it. That means understanding the AI supply chain, building defensible governance around data and models, and preparing for disputes before they arise. If you want a clear view of where AI litigation is heading and what practical steps matter now, this is a conversation worth listening to.

June 3, 2026Episode 6120 min

Why data centers are the next big risk battleground with Andi Brocks, Amazon Web Services

Data centers are fast becoming the defining infrastructure story of the AI economy. In this episode of The Influencers, Andi Brocks of Amazon Web Services takes co-hosts Karishma Paroha from Hogan Lovells and Tom Hughes from the IUA inside a global build‑out reshaping how businesses operate and scale. As demand for AI and cloud accelerates, data centers are no longer just technical assets, they are critical infrastructure powering everything from financial services to healthcare. But with that scale comes a new class of risk. From power constraints and supply chain pressure to systemic outages, fire exposure and evolving ESG demands, the conversation unpacks where organizations and insurers need to focus now. It also highlights a generational opportunity, as new data, new assets and new collaboration models redefine how risk is understood and priced. If you want a clear view of how digital infrastructure is transforming both resilience and value, this is a conversation worth listening to. About Amazon Web Services: Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a leading cloud computing provider, offering a broad range of infrastructure, data storage, analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities that power businesses worldwide. Operating a global network of data centers, AWS enables organizations to scale quickly, improve resilience and accelerate innovation through secure, high‑performance digital infrastructure. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. About the International Underwriting Association of London: The International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) is the representative body for companies in London providing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance coverage. Its mission statement is to secure an optimal trading environment for London insurance companies.

May 20, 2026Episode 6027 min

Every business is becoming a technology business: what legal teams need to get right now

Digital transformation is no longer a specialist issue. It is reshaping every business, including sectors that have traditionally moved more slowly. For legal teams, that shift brings a new set of expectations and a new level of scrutiny around risk, decisions, and execution. In this episode, Hogan Lovells partners and co-leads of our Future of Digitalization initiative Louise Crawford and Vassi Iliadis discuss with host Leo von Gerlach how those expectations are playing out in practice. From fast-moving AI developments to evolving litigation risk, they explore how legal issues are emerging, overlapping, and being tested in real time. The conversation focuses on what actually matters for decision-makers navigating digital change, including which choices need to be made now and where the real risks sit if you get it wrong. They also discuss how organizations can respond, building the confidence to engage with digital issues and connect expertise across the business. As every business becomes a technology business, getting those decisions right matters more than ever. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

May 6, 2026Episode 5923 min

Building legal AI that lawyers can trust with Alexander Kardos Nyheim, Thomson Reuters

Law and legal services are among the toughest tests for artificial intelligence. In this episode of The Influencers, Alexander Kardos Nyheim joins Leo von Gerlach to discuss why legal work demands AI models that are pre-trained differently on top of their general‑purpose abilities. Drawing on his experience founding Safe Sign Technologies and now leading machine learning research at Thomson Reuters, Alexander explains why general purpose AI’s emphasis on fluency is no proper match for the finesse of legal drafting. He explores the importance of domain‑specific training, authoritative legal data, and models grounded in legal reasoning rather than surface‑level coherence. From the role of foundational models to the future of legal‑specific AI, this conversation offers practical insight for anyone navigating the adoption of AI in legal practice. About Thomson Reuters: Thomson Reuters is an AI and technology company empowering professionals with trusted content and workflow automation to know now and navigate what’s next About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2,800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance, and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

April 22, 2026Episode 5822 min

What tomorrow’s risk leaders need to succeed with Diane Maxwell, Airmic

Risk leaders are being asked to make bigger decisions, faster, with less certainty than ever before. Diane Maxwell, CEO of Airmic, joins Karishma Paroha and Tom Hughes in this episode of The Influencers to reflect on what that reality means for the future of risk management and insurance. From cyber threats and AI to quantum computing and systemic risk, Diane explores why technology is both a solution and a source of new uncertainty. She shares where risk tech is genuinely adding value today, why adoption often lags behind ambition, and why curiosity, humility and the confidence to say “I don’t know” are becoming essential leadership traits. A thoughtful conversation for anyone navigating risk, resilience and decision‑making in a rapidly changing world. About Airmic: Airmic is the UK’s leading association for risk management professionals, supporting a broad membership across sectors including retail, energy, automotive, food and hospitality. The organisation works with insurers and industry partners to strengthen financial and business resilience, advance professional capability and help members navigate an increasingly complex risk landscape shaped by technology, data and systemic change. About the International Underwriting Association of London: The International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) is the representative body for companies in London providing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance coverage. Its mission statement is to secure an optimal trading environment for London insurance companies. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

April 8, 2026Episode 5719 min

Listening to the ocean: AI, acoustics, and the future of tsunami warning with Dr Usama Kadri

The ocean sends signals long before a tsunami reaches land. In this episode of The Influencers, Dr Usama Kadri, reader in applied mathematics at Cardiff University, explains how scientists are finally learning how to listen. Drawing on his pioneering work with acoustic gravity waves and physics‑informed AI, Dr Kadri shares how real‑time sound data from the ocean could transform tsunami early warning systems. The discussion moves from the limits of seismic and buoy‑based forecasting to the practical benefits of faster detection, fewer false alarms and more targeted evacuations. With implications for governments, emergency responders and insurers alike, this conversation shows how advanced science, when paired with AI and collaboration, can move from theory to life‑saving impact. About Dr Usama Kadri: Dr Usama Kadri is a reader in applied mathematics at Cardiff University and an engineer whose work sits at the intersection of mathematics, engineering and ocean science. His world‑leading research focuses on acoustic gravity waves and the use of physics‑informed AI to improve tsunami detection and early warning systems. By combining analytical models with real‑time ocean data, Dr Kadri’s work aims to deliver faster, more accurate forecasts, reduce false alarms and ultimately save lives through better disaster preparedness. About the International Underwriting Association of London: The International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) is the representative body for companies in London providing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance coverage. Its mission statement is to secure an optimal trading environment for London insurance companies. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

March 25, 2026Episode 5622 min

Stablecoins beyond the hype: what institutions need to know with Luke Kovic, Applied Blockchain

We’re kicking off a three-episode special miniseries of The Influencers focused on the intersection of insurance and digital with a spotlight on stablecoins and their growing role as financial infrastructure. Karishma Paroha of Hogan Lovells and Tom Hughes of the International Underwriting Association of London are joined by Luke Kovic of Applied Blockchain to unpack how stablecoins are moving from crypto markets into payments, treasury management, and institutional finance. The discussion explores where real value is emerging, what makes a stablecoin resilient, and why governance, regulation, and risk management will determine whether this technology can scale with confidence. About Applied Blockchain: Applied Blockchain is a blockchain development studio specializing in building enterprise-grade blockchain and privacy solutions for real-world use. Founded in London in 2015, the company works with global organizations to move blockchain from experimentation into secure, scalable financial and operational infrastructure, with a particular focus on stablecoins, digital assets, and regulated environments. Applied Blockchain is known for its deep engineering expertise and its work at the intersection of technology, finance, and governance. About the International Underwriting Association of London: The International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) is the representative body for companies in London providing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance coverage. Its mission statement is to secure an optimal trading environment for London insurance companies. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. For anyone who wants to explore the themes we’ve discussed today with Luke, from stablecoins and digital infrastructure to risk and insurance, the DAB Hub is a one stop resource. You can sign up there to receive ongoing insights and thought leadership. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

March 11, 2026Episode 5518 min

AI, ESG, and Ethics: Building Responsible Systems for a Transforming World I Part 2

In part two of our conversation on AI, ESG, and ethics, the discussion between Hogan Lovells Global Head of ESG Adrian Walker and Sustainable Finance Co-Head Rita Hunter with host Leo von Gerlach the conversation goes deeper and reveals how governments, regulators, and global corporations are racing to keep pace with AI’s rapid rise. Discover what is truly at stake as policy, politics, and emerging technologies intersect, and learn how companies can turn strong governance into a strategic advantage. If you’re thinking about the future of responsible innovation, this is an episode you will not want to miss. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!