#115: The Rt Hon Stephen McPartland, Former MP and Minister for National Security
"You can't have good Cyber Security without Economic Security.'' Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with The Rt Hon Stephen McPartland, former MP and author of the McPartland Review into Cyber Security. Stephen talks about his time in Parliament, the impact of AI on Cyber Security, and why the UK is both uniquely well prepared and uniquely vulnerable. On this episode, Stephen and Gareth discuss what it’s like to work with Prime Ministers, how to prevent the widespread adoption of AI leading to “digital exclusion”, why we need to automate processes rather than jobs, and how a Scouser became Tory MP for Stevenage…Timestamps: Intro and good leadership (1:33) Proudest achievements and lessons learned in Politics (7:54) Ministerial role, and working with Prime Ministers (10:09) Cyber Security and the Digital Economy (17:50) AI, Government and Cyber Security (23:23) Fostering a Cyber workforce (29:35) LLMs and Agentic AI (33:14) Cryptocurrencies and Post-Quantum Cryptography (38:28) AI concerns – Digital exclusion and Rules of Engagement (46:25) Stephen’s advice to his younger self (49:00) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/
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AI Summit Special: The Return of Matt Armstrong-Barnes, Group AI Practice Director at Servita
Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with Matt Armstrong-Barnes, Group AI Practice Director at Servita, and former AI CTO at Hewlett-Packard Enterprises. Matt talks about his new role at Servita, the lessons he learned at HPE, and how effective AI Asset Management can help you keep control of your data. On this episode, Matt and Gareth discuss effective AI implementation and adoption, the existing AI skills gap, and the new roles and careers that will emerge, and what we don’t understand about how AI works. Timestamps: Joining Servita (2:00) AI Implementation and Adoption (5:40) What “Data is the new Oil” actually means (12:00) What we don’t understand about how AI works (18:33) Lessons learned at HP (22:13) Sports and AI (25:28) AI Safety and even Blackmail? (28:19) Trust and transparency in practice (35:40) The AI skills gap and emerging careers (39:30) AI Summit highlights (48:32) Brought to you by bedigitalhttps://www.bedigitaluk.com/
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#88, Tech for good and the future of migrant safety: Tom O'Sullivan, Founder and CEO @ Animus Bytes
If you’re looking for a truly authentic insight into entrepreneurship, look no further than this week’s episode. Gareth is joined by Tom O’Sullivan, ex-army veteran and founder of software development company Animus Bytes, and the pair candidly discuss Tom’s journey from battlefield to business meeting. Tom’s leadership journey began in Helmand Province, where he was stationed during his time in the military and led a team of 90 soldiers. After his departure, his interest in risk and security lead him to the realm of cybersecurity and the technology space. At Animus Bytes, Tom and his team are currently working on an application called Migrant Watch, where vulnerable people at sea can be detected and rescued using AI, machine learning and NLP technology. From walking away from his own business that was no longer serving him, to realising his passions and starting over with Animus Bytes, Tom’s tech journey is emblematic of the trials and tribulations that are faced by founders everywhere. This episode is jampacked with stellar leadership advice, meditation tips and all-round interesting anecdotes— it’s not to be missed! Timestamps What does good leadership mean to Tom? (02:26) Lessons learned from Tom’s time in the army (05:20) Mindful meditation (09:15) Starting a cybersecurity start-up (17:02) Facing failure as a founder (22:57) What is Animus Bytes? (27:45) How Animus Bytes is combatting the migration problem (30:35) The similarities between AI and nuclear weapons (45:18) Tom’s advice to his pre-military self (53:25) https://www.bedigitaluk.com/
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Episode #113, Agentic AI Special: "The Rise of AI Agents" - Joseph Connor, Founder of CarefulAI and Prof. at UCL
Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, as Gareth sits down with Joseph Connor, Chairman of Agentic AI specialist, CarefulAI and Professor at UCL and formerly Director of AI innovation at NHS England. Joseph talks about his allegiance to the NHS, his love of Stoicism, and his experiences building AI agents for businesses. On this episode Joseph and Gareth discuss why innovation is difficult in the public sector, how AI can help with effective ITAM and compliance, and how to make sure everyone benefits from Agentic AI.Time Stamps: Good leadership and Joseph’s early days (2:30) Lessons learned and musings on Stoicism (7:19) Allegiance to the NHS (11:10) Careful AI (15:20) What is Agentic AI? (23:48) Maintaining control of AI Agents (30:44) Always read the terms and conditions (35:55) Concerns around the next five years of AI (40:10) AI in education (49:10) Conclusions (53:48) Access CriticalAIonAI podcast mentioned in the show here - https://www.carefulai.com/accelerating-safe-ai-providers.htmlhttps://www.bedigitaluk.com/
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#112, CISO at the AA, Darren Desmond: Covert Ops to Cyber Security
“I had a team of me…and that was it!” Join us this week on The Tech Leaders Podcast, where Gareth Davies sits down with Darren Desmond, CISO at the AA, to discuss how AI will change the Cyber Security arms race, why it’s a strange time for CISOs, and how he was the most un-military recruit his training Sergeant had ever seen… Time stamps:What makes effective leadership in tech? (2:32) Starting from scratch: "I had a team of me... and that was it!" (4:20) Lessons from the Army and Atomic Weapons Establishment (6:20) The Betfair culture shock: "Decisions made on the hoof" (15:20) The key cybersecurity threat: Why ransomware remains a top concern (16:50) How asset management strengthens cybersecurity (18:10) CISO advice: Why asset management is critical for security (22:17) The CyberSec arms race: How AI will change the game (24:58) Why security is a team effort, not a standalone activity (26:00) Ransomware evolution: "The risk of AI-driven attacks" (36:45) AI in cybersecurity: The future, risks, and opportunities (40:20) Career advice: "Pick a goal and work towards it" (45:06)https://www.bedigitaluk.com/
The Tech Leaders Podcast brings you candid conversations with established technology leaders, at some of the world's most incredible organisations. From the challenges of sustainable growth, through to continuous innovation and everything in-between. These are the behind-the-scenes stories and personal anecdotes of inspirational leaders at the forefront of the digital revolution.
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