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In Episode 267 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Federico Marengo, Associate Partner at White Label Consultancy in Italy. They explore the accelerating intersection of privacy, artificial intelligence, and governance, and discuss how organizations can build practical, responsible AI programs that align with existing privacy and security frameworks. Federico explains why AI governance cannot exist in a vacuum and must be integrated with the policies, controls, and operational practices companies already use.

The conversation delves into the challenges organizations face in adopting AI responsibly, including understanding the requirements of the EU AI Act, right-sizing compliance expectations for organizations of different scales, and developing programs that allow innovation while managing risk. Federico highlights the importance of educating leadership about where AI regulations actually apply, since many businesses overestimate their obligations, and he explains why clarity around high-risk systems is essential for reducing unnecessary fear and confusion.

Debbie and Federico also discuss future trends for global AI and privacy governance, including whether companies will eventually adopt unified enterprise frameworks rather than fragmented jurisdiction-specific practices. They explore how organizations can upskill their teams, embed governance into product development, and normalize AI as part of standard technology operations. Federico shares his vision for a world where professionals collaborate to advance best practices and help organizations embrace AI with confidence rather than hesitation.

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Debbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

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In Episode 266 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks to Matthew Kay, Group Data Protection Officer at Shawbrook. Their discussion centers on pragmatic data protection, responsible governance, and the realities of advising organizations that are rapidly scaling or adopting emerging technologies. Matthew explains why trust-building, timing, and understanding the business context are essential for privacy professionals seeking to drive meaningful change.

Debbie and Matthew explore the challenges created by fast-moving artificial intelligence adoption, including transparency gaps, organizational pressures to automate, and the difficulty of maintaining meaningful oversight as data processing grows more complex. Matthew describes how privacy professionals can enable innovation by identifying mitigations early, embedding privacy by design, and guiding business leaders toward safe, sustainable data use. They also discuss why effective data protection requires risk balancing rather than rigid absolutism, and how credibility and constructive engagement support long term compliance.

Their conversation concludes with a focus on the future of data management and the importance of ongoing stewardship. Matthew reflects on the parallels between data governance in everyday life and large corporate environments, emphasizing continuous organization, monitoring, and clarity of purpose. Debbie and Matthew highlight why global communities benefit from sharing best practices across jurisdictions and how pragmatic, human-centered governance helps strengthen trust and resilience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

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Debbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC

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In Episode 265 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks to James Robson, Data Protection Officer for the Labour Party in the United Kingdom. Together, they explore how public sector organizations and political entities navigate modern data protection challenges while balancing public trust, transparency, and societal benefit. Their conversation highlights why research data, safe data environments, and responsible access structures are increasingly essential for tackling complex social problems.

Debbie and James discuss the importance of privacy-preserving data sharing for research and the practical realities of enabling societal value without compromising individual rights. James describes his work supporting research ecosystems, including the creation of secure data archives, the role of the Office for National Statistics, and how the United Kingdom’s “five safes” framework helps protect high-risk datasets in controlled environments. They also examine the ethical considerations around using sensitive data to improve outcomes for vulnerable groups, and how organizations can design safe, centralized systems without sacrificing privacy.

In the final segment, Debbie and James reflect on the future of data minimization, trust, and governance. They consider how architectures that strictly limit data use could reshape long-term privacy protections and discuss the human element required to steward data responsibly. Their conversation underscores the need for collaboration across government, research institutions, and technology teams to build trustworthy systems that support both privacy and public benefit.

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Debbie Reynolds Consulting, LLC