Episode #113
113-Talking Innovation with Tom Dager, CISO at ADM
AI is moving faster than most organizations can govern it, and Tom Dagger, CISO at ADM, explains why that speed is now a cybersecurity, compliance, and business risk problem all at once. If you care about AI in the enterprise, exposure management, or what happens when innovation outruns control, this conversation is essential listening. Tom and I get brutally honest about the reality behind AI adoption at a global enterprise. ADM is already using tools like ADM Chat, Microsoft Copilot, and AI-powered SaaS, but Tom makes the case that the real challenge is not whether to use AI - it is how to manage the constant churn of models, harnesses, data sharing, and operational risk without breaking the business.You’ll hear Tom break down the three buckets of AI usage every security leader needs to think about: personal productivity tools like chatbots and copilots, AI embedded inside third-party SaaS platforms, and enterprise-built AI use cases that create real operational value. We also dig into why “tokenomics,” model switching, and continuous patching are now board-level concerns, especially in regulated industries where a simple software change can mean downtime, lost productivity, or regulatory scrutiny. They unpack why vulnerability ops and exposure management are replacing old-school patch Tuesday thinking, and why security teams can no longer treat AI like just another software upgrade.The conversation gets even sharper when they turn to data governance and accountability. Tom warns that the biggest blind spot may not be model performance - it is the data being handed over to third parties, the hallucinations that can slip into workflows, and the dangerous myth that AI removes human responsibility. From fake legal citations to discriminatory automated decisions, the stakes are real, and the accountability still lands on the organization.They also look ahead at what AI and quantum could mean for transportation, manufacturing, food production, and even the future of entry-level jobs. As AI takes over more routine work, what happens to the ladder people traditionally climb to build experience? We go on to explore the long-term impact on talent pipelines, human judgment, and the roles that will still need a person in the loop. Essential listening for CISOs, security leaders, tech executives, and anyone trying to figure out how to adopt AI without surrendering control. This is a candid, practical conversation about where enterprise AI is headed, what can go wrong, and how leaders need to think now if they want to stay ahead. In this episode we bring cybersecurity, AI strategy, and real-world enterprise operations into one timely conversation. I hope you enjoy it!
