PodChats for FutureCISO: CSO insights to building trust in AI

The convergence of AI adoption and escalating cyber threats demands a paradigm shift in how organisations protect data and build trust. 

As AI accelerates attack sophistication—enabling automated phishing, synthetic identity fraud, and adversarial machine learning—businesses face dual challenges: hardening defences against AI-powered threats while ensuring ethical, transparent AI deployment to overcome employee scepticism. 

In Singapore and across Asia, leaders must prioritise zero-trust frameworks, AI-specific security guidelines (e.g., Singapore’s CSA lifecycle controls), and human-AI collaboration models to close critical trust gaps. 

Organisations that invest in AI governance, workforce upskilling, and proactive threat-hunting agents will gain resilience and competitive advantage, whereas those failing to address AI-driven risks or employee distrust will face operational and reputational fallout.

Joining us on PodChats for FutureCISO is Assaf Keren, CSO, Qualtrics.

Interview questions:

1.       How can organisations implement secure-by-design AI systems that comply with evolving regional regulations, such as Singapore’s CSA Guidelines?

2.       What governance lessons from past tech integrations (e.g., cloud and IoT) can be applied to mitigate risks associated with AI systems? 

3.       What strategies can effectively combat AI-automated attack chains, like multi-modal phishing campaigns, without hindering innovation in defensive AI tools? 

4.       How should cybersecurity teams balance the efficiency gains from AI-driven tools against potential risks like shadow AI deployments and data poisoning? 

5.       How can CISOs bridge the trust gap around the use of AI between leadership and employees? 

6.       Advise for CISOs to build trust.