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In Episode 261 of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, talks with Jesse Kirkpatrick, Co Director at the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center at George Mason University, about the rapidly expanding adoption of generative artificial intelligence and the significant risks that accompany this high velocity of change. They examine the widespread excitement around AI and why its usefulness is intertwined with sensitive data that may be collected without boundaries or transparency, leaving the public in the dark. The discussion digs into why people cannot easily understand how their data is being used, whether informed consent is truly possible, and what happens when powerful systems learn from information that individuals never intended to share.

Debbie and Jesse also evaluate how governments, major technology companies, and commercial applications rely on massive data acquisition to fuel model performance, raising questions about privacy protection, public safety, and whether surveillance harms can be reversed. They discuss the real dangers behind model hallucination, accuracy failures, security breaches, and malicious exploitation, especially when artificial intelligence is used for high stakes decisions without accountability.

Listeners will learn why Jesse believes responsible innovation must precede scaled deployment and how transparency, enforceable obligations, and redress mechanisms can help society avoid severe consequences as these systems evolve. This episode highlights the urgent need for clear guardrails while encouraging deeper public understanding of how generative AI reshapes social trust, personal rights, and the boundaries of data use.

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Episode 260 – Jon Bello: The Evolution of Privacy in the Philippines and Across Asia

In this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, speaks with Jon Bello, Partner at MBS Law Offices and IAPP 2025 Vanguard of the Year, about how the Philippines has emerged as a regional leader in privacy and data protection. They discuss how the country transitioned from business process outsourcing compliance to a culture of national awareness, and how its unique cultural and legal frameworks continue to influence privacy in Asia. Jon explains that the Philippines was one of the first Asian nations to pass a comprehensive data privacy law after the EU Data Directive but before the GDPR. He and Debbie examine how the Filipino language lacks a direct translation for the word “privacy,” reflecting a family-centric culture that values openness and community. They explore how this cultural context has shaped attitudes toward data sharing and protection. Jon also highlights how the National Privacy Commission has creatively raised public awareness through social media, educational jingles, and outreach campaigns aimed at children.

The discussion explores how the BPO industry contributed to the passage of the 2012 Privacy and Cybersecurity Laws and how many organizations now operate under three concurrent frameworks: U.S. privacy laws, such as HIPAA and PCI DSS, the Philippine Data Privacy Act, and the GDPR. Jon explains the importance of the Philippine requirement for a “privacy manual,” which goes beyond a privacy policy to define accountability and governance, as well as the legal requirement to register Data Protection Officers. Debbie and Jon also examine the region’s growing focus on AI governance, including Japan’s soft-law model and the Philippines’ proposed registration system for high-risk AI. The episode highlights the cultural diversity and context-specific nature of Asia’s privacy frameworks, underscoring their critical role in the global dialogue on privacy and technology.

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Episode 259 – Andreea Lisievici Nevin: Building Global Privacy Leadership and Culture

In this episode of The Data Diva Talks Privacy Podcast, Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva, speaks with Andreea Lisievici Nevin, Privacy, Digital, and AI Lawyer at PrivacyCraft, about how privacy leadership must extend beyond compliance to become an integral part of organizational culture and accountability. They discuss how privacy has evolved from a niche legal concern into a global business imperative that demands collaboration across legal, technical, and operational teams. Andreea explains that while many professionals understand the rules, the real challenge lies in translating those rules into effective, repeatable business processes. She and Debbie explore the difference between describing what compliance requires and operationalizing those requirements inside complex organizations.

The discussion examines how privacy professionals serve as bridge builders between legal, business, and technical domains, using communication and practical governance to ensure accountability. Andreea describes the cultural differences between privacy leadership in the European Union and the United States, noting that U.S. privacy officers often take a more proactive and decision-making role, while EU data protection officers function as independent advisors rather than implementers. Debbie and Andreea also emphasize the importance of tone from the top, explaining that privacy culture cannot thrive without active leadership support and visible alignment with company values. They explore why accountability must be embedded through clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines, rather than being treated as a checkbox exercise. The conversation also covers the role of certification in the profession and why credentials alone do not ensure true capability. Andreea explains that continuous learning, mentorship, and collaboration are essential for sustaining privacy excellence. The episode highlights how communication, trust, and shared ownership define mature privacy programs and how strong leadership helps organizations transform compliance into enduring value.

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