Ensuring Trust in the Age of Data and AI, With James Robson

Trust with data is becoming one of the defining challenges for modern leadership. We hand over personal information every day, often without a second thought, yet expectations around how that data is handled have never been higher. My conversation with James Robson explores what happens when data protection, AI, politics and public confidence all collide. James brings a rare perspective from working across research, governance and political environments, and shares why trust is no longer just a compliance issue but something that directly shapes reputation, decision making and long-term business resilience. We also get into where many Organisations are getting caught out with AI adoption, why transparency matters more than ever, and how leaders can avoid creating unnecessary risk while still making progress.

Highlights:

• Trust in data starts with public confidence: people need clarity before they share information
• Political data use relies on legal frameworks: public interest often overrides standard consent routes
• Privacy notices still matter: transparency must be understandable, not buried in jargon
• AI can deepen echo chambers: algorithms increasingly shape opinion and behaviour
• Shadow AI creates hidden exposure: staff may introduce tools without oversight
• AI impact assessments are becoming essential: risks need reviewing before deployment
• Data protection officers are evolving fast: technical AI knowledge is now increasingly valuable
• External expertise can reduce risk: trusted specialists help Organisations move safely

Resources and actions:

• Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/
• Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-james-robson/
• Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/