Guardians of Data

A show where we explore the world of information law and governance; from privacy and AI to cybersecurity and freedom of information. In each episode we will be speaking with experts and practitioners to unpack the big issues shaping the IG profession.

Guardians of Data is a education podcast hosted by Act Now Training, with 14 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Act Now Training hosts Guardians of Data, a education show with 14 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #15

  Analysing Human Relationships with AI Chatbots

  Aug 19, 202642 minS1

  In recent years, we’ve seen a remarkable shift in the way people use AI chatbots. They are no longer simply tools for answering questions or writing emails. Many people are entering into deep conversations with the likes of ChatGPT and Claude often forming emotional and even romantic relationships with them. Last year’s controversy surrounding GPT-4o was a striking example: that particular model’s unusually agreeable and flattering responses to user queries raised concerns about AI reinforcing unhealthy beliefs, while its eventual retirement prompted some users to describe a genuine sense of loss. At the same time, lawsuits involving AI chatbots allegedly causing harm to vulnerable young people have raised serious questions about emotional dependency and the responsibilities of the companies developing these systems. So what is actually happening when we begin to form relationships with machines that can talk to us, remember us and appear to understand us? And what does it tell us about ourselves? In this episode, Ibrahim Hasan talks to psychologist, academic and award-winning filmmaker Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska about the profound ways that generative AI is changing human relationships, drawing on the themes of her book AI Intimacy and Psychoanalysis . We talk about why people form bonds with AI, the potential benefits for companionship, creativity and accessibility, and the risks surrounding privacy, emotional dependency, mental wellbeing and digital amnesia. We also explore the importance of boundaries, education and proportionate regulation as AI grows more personalised and embedded in everyday life. Useful Links http://www.agnieszkapiotrowska.co.uk Relational AI Diaries Podcast Building Trustworthy AI Systems Podcast AI Blogs Phaselaw This podcast is sponsored by Phaselaw - a purpose-built solution for document disclosures, like subject access requests and FOI requests. Instead of redacting PDFs one by one, or forcing litigation software to do a job it wasn't designed for, with Phaselaw you get collection, review, and redaction in one workflow. Teams across the World are using it to cut response times from weeks to days. For Guardians of Data listeners, Phaselaw is offering a two-month free trial; run it on live requests, see what it does to your backlog, decide from there. No card, no commitment.

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  Episode #14

  Handling AI Generated Information Requests

  Aug 5, 202640 minS1

  If your organisation is being overloaded with AI generated Freedom of Information requests or GDPR Subject Access Requests (SARs) this podcast episode is for you. Some would say AI has democratised and powered access to information. Large Language Models, like ChatGPT and Claude, can produce ‘perfectly written’ FOI requests and SARs at the touch of a button. But these are causing problems for over worked information governance departments. Not only are more requests coming through; they are often longer, broader and difficult to interpret. In this episode we guide you on how to manage and lawfully respond to AI generated information requests. Our guest is Saara Idelbi from 39 Essex Chambers. Saara is recognised by the Legal 500 as a ‘leading junior’ barrister. She practises in administrative law, human rights, data protection and information rights. Saara is a recognised voice on AI and the law and is the co-founder of Advocatr , an AI legal training platform. Listen now for practical guidance on dealing with AI generated information requests whilst respecting the key principles of information rights legislation; openness, transparency and accountability. You can also listen to episode 13 where information lawyer, Andrew Latham, gives his tips on AI generated subject access requests. More useful resources below: ICO Guidance Building Trustworthy AI Systems Podcast AI Blogs FOI Blogs Phaselaw This podcast is sponsored by Phaselaw - a purpose-built solution for document disclosures, like subject access requests and FOI requests. Instead of redacting PDFs one by one, or forcing litigation software to do a job it wasn't designed for, with Phaselaw you get collection, review, and redaction in one workflow. Teams across the World are using it to cut response times from weeks to days. For Guardians of Data listeners, Phaselaw is offering a two-month free trial; run it on live requests, see what it does to your backlog, decide from there. No card, no commitment.

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  Episode #13

  Managing Workplace Data Protection Risks

  Jul 22, 202649 minS1

  The biggest data protection challenges facing organisations do not stem solely from cyber-attacks or AI deployment; they also arise from employees. Sometimes it’s from an innocent mistake; an email sent to the wrong person, confidential information shared inadvertently or a document uploaded to the wrong system. In other cases, the issues are more serious; employees accessing information they have no business looking at, taking confidential data when they leave, or deliberately misusing personal information. When those situations arise, employers need to investigate what has happened, decide whether a breach needs to be reported to the ICO and manage employment law issues such as disciplinary action; all the while protect the rights of the individuals whose data is involved, including employees. And then there's the inevitable employee Data Subject Access Request, or DSAR to deal with. Often made alongside a grievance or before Employment Tribunal proceedings, DSARs can present significant legal and practical challenges for employers trying to balance transparency with confidentiality and legal privilege. In episode 13 of the Guardians of Data podcast we explore: what happens when employees are involved in personal data breaches; the legal and practical issues arising when employees misuse personal data; how employers should approach workplace investigations involving personal data; and how to respond effectively to employee Data Subject Access Requests. Our guest is Andrew Latham , a partner in the Public Law team at Capsticks , who specialises in data protection and privacy law. Click the play button to jump in. --------------------------------------------- Useful Links Phaselaw Capsticks ICO Employment Practices Code: Supplementary Guidance Employee DPA Prosecutions The Morrisons Vicarious Liability Case This podcast is sponsored by Phaselaw - a purpose-built solution for document disclosures, like subject access requests and FOI requests. Instead of redacting PDFs one by one, or forcing litigation software to do a job it wasn't designed for, with Phaselaw you get collection, review, and redaction in one workflow. Teams across the World are using it to cut response times from weeks to days. For Guardians of Data listeners, Phaselaw is offering a two-month free trial; run it on live requests, see what it does to your backlog, decide from there. No card, no commitment.

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  Episode #12

  The Hidden Algorithms Behind Modern Policing

  Jul 8, 202640 minS1

  In this episode we discuss something that sounds like science fiction, but is already part of everyday policing in the UK; predictive policing. These are tools that use data and algorithms to help the police forecast crime, where it might happen and sometimes who might be involved. The idea is to use resources efficiently and cut crime. And there are reports that councils are also starting to use these systems ( The Think Family Database .) But a recent report by Amnesty International , “ Automated Racism ” argues that predictive policing tools aren’t neutral; they may be reinforcing and scaling existing inequalities. The report argues that the data they use is biased, particularly against black and racialised communities in deprived areas. In this conversation, we unpack what these tools actually are, how they’re being used, whether they work, and what the risks are, especially when combined with other technologies like facial recognition. Our guest is Ilyas Nagdee who is a human rights campaigner and the Racial Justice Director at Amnesty International UK. He has also written for The Guardian and is the co-author of a book entitled, Race to the Bottom: Reclaiming Antiracism, a critical study of anti-racist politics in the UK. Useful Links Phaselaw Amnesty International Automated Racism Report The Think Family Database This podcast is sponsored by Phaselaw - a purpose-built solution for document disclosures, like subject access requests and FOI requests. Instead of redacting PDFs one by one, or forcing litigation software to do a job it wasn't designed for, with Phaselaw you get collection, review, and redaction in one workflow. Teams across the World are using it to cut response times from weeks to days. For Guardians of Data listeners, Phaselaw is offering a two-month free trial; run it on live requests, see what it does to your backlog, decide from there. No card, no commitment.

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  Episode #11

  The Impact of AI on Cybersecurity

  Jun 24, 202657 minS1

  In this episode we discuss how AI is reshaping trust, identity, cybersecurity, and organisational accountability. In recent weeks, governments, regulators and cyber security professionals have been gripped by the emergence of Mythos , the powerful AI model developed by Anthropic. Touted as capable of identifying software vulnerabilities at a level that rivals some of the world's most skilled human researchers, the model has generated excitement, concern and intense debate. Against this backdrop, our guest on this podcast is an internationally renowned cybersecurity leader, educator and technology strategist. Caroline Wong is Chief Strategy Officer at Axari and the author of The AI Cybersecurity Handbook . In this conversation, Caroline explains how cybercriminals are using AI to launch sophisticate cyber-attacks. We also discuss how organisations can use the same technology to strengthen their cyber defences. But this conversation goes beyond the technical. We discuss why trust is becoming the central battleground in cybersecurity, how deepfakes and AI-generated content are reshaping the way we verify information, and why human judgment remains critical despite rapid advances in automation. We also take a closer look at Mythos itself and what it means for the future of cybersecurity. Useful Links LinkedIn Learning Cybersecurity Courses Wake Up Podcast Series Phaselaw This podcast is sponsored by Phaselaw - a purpose-built solution for document disclosures, like subject access requests and FOI requests. Instead of redacting PDFs one by one, or forcing litigation software to do a job it wasn't designed for, with Phaselaw you get collection, review, and redaction in one workflow. Teams across the World are using it to cut response times from weeks to days. For Guardians of Data listeners, Phaselaw is offering a two-month free trial; run it on live requests, see what it does to your backlog, decide from there. No card, no commitment.

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