The Influencers: Digital Transformation

In this episode of The Influencers, Hogan Lovells partners Tommy Liu and Byron Phillips, along with host Leo von Gerlach, unpack how Asia—particularly China, Singapore, and South Korea—is rapidly shaping the global AI race through accelerated innovation, regulatory ambition, and strategic public–private investment. They explore what this means for legal teams navigating complex cross‑border compliance, intellectual property challenges, data governance, and emerging AI liability frameworks. Their conversation offers actionable insights for businesses operating in or entering the region—and for lawyers who must stay ahead of fast‑moving risks and opportunities.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers: Digital Transformation, Caroline Reppert, Senior Director for AI and Technology Policy at the National Retail Federation, joins Leo von Gerlach to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping retail. From customer service chatbots and fraud prevention to supply chain optimization and workforce empowerment, Caroline shares how retailers of all sizes are navigating opportunities and risks. She dives into pressing issues like transparency, cybersecurity, and policymaking, offering a candid look at how businesses can balance innovation with consumer trust. About the National Retail Federation: The National Retail Federation (NRF) is the world's largest retail trade association, serving as the leading voice for all retail formats and channels in the U.S., advocating for policies, providing research, hosting major events like "Retail's Big Show, and offering education to support the vital retail industry that employs millions. Founded in 1911, NRF focuses on issues like tariffs, labor, technology, and consumer trends, helping retailers navigate challenges and driving economic growth through advocacy and resources. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers, host Leo von Gerlach sits down with Lukas N P Egger, VP of Product Strategy & Innovation at SAP Signavio, for a wide-ranging conversation on the realities behind today’s AI “bubble,” the shifting economics of innovation, and what leaders must rethink as AI transforms every layer of business. Lukas unpacks why organizations often fail in their AI implementations, how to avoid “peacocking,” and why lowering the cost of failure is foundational to real transformation. It’s a candid, strategy-rich discussion that reframes hype, cuts through noise, and offers clear direction for leaders navigating AI-driven change. About Lukas N.P. Egger: As the VP of Product Strategy and Innovation at SAP Signavio, he leads cutting-edge AI initiatives, de-risks ambitious projects, and drives product discovery to create transformative solutions, with a focus on integrating AI strategy into core operations, building high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of innovation. Learn more about Lukas here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-np-egger/ About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers, host Leo von Gerlach sits down with Hogan Lovells partners Joke Bodewits and Paul Otto to explore how AI is reshaping the cyber-attack landscape—strengthening defensive tools while also enabling more convincing phishing, deepfakes, and other sophisticated attacks. They unpack the legal, regulatory, and operational challenges facing global companies, from NIS2 and DORA obligations to ransom decision-making and cross-border data hurdles. Filled with practical insight from front-line advisors, the conversation offers clear guidance for organizations aiming to elevate their cyber readiness in an AI-accelerated environment.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers, our host Leo von Gerlach speaks with Lucy Tyrrell, General Counsel at Wordsmith AI, about how AI-native platforms are transforming the daily realities of corporate legal departments. They discuss practical ways in-house teams can automate contract review, manage knowledge, and scale effectively without losing control of risk. Whether you’re a sole GC or leading a large legal team, this conversation offers clear takeaways on integrating AI to work smarter and free up time for more strategic work. About Wordsmith AI:  Wordsmith AI develops AI tools for legal teams to automate workflows, including pre-financing due diligence, contract risk analysis, and compliance audits. Follow the link: https://wordsmith.ai/ About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode, Mark Brennan and Charmian Aw join host Leo von Gerlach to explore how clients can navigate the rapidly evolving geopolitical tensions around the development of AI & data technology. The conversation spans the global “AI race,” the balance between innovation and regulation, and how multinational businesses can build smart, scalable compliance strategies amid diverging global frameworks. From Charmian’s “calibrate and enable” approach to Mark’s insights on governance, benchmarking, and policy clarity, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how leading lawyers are helping clients innovate responsibly across jurisdictions.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this special edition of The Influencers, recorded live at Hogan Lovells’ Digital Assets and Blockchain Summit, Elise Soucie Watts, Executive Director at Global Digital Finance, speaks with Senator Kyrsten Sinema about the dramatic shift in U.S. digital-asset policy under the new administration. Together they explore the transition from regulation-by-enforcement to a coordinated legislative and rulemaking framework anchored by the Genius and Clarity Acts—and what it means for market structure, bipartisan politics, and global alignment. For in-house counsel, this episode offers a rare insider’s view of how Washington is shaping the future of crypto, fintech, and financial-market regulation. About the Digital Assets Summit:  Every Fall, we gather policymakers and industry leaders to attend our annual summit on digital assets and tokenization, held in partnership with Global Digital Finance, a non-profit whose mission is to promote and underpin the greater adoption of market standards for the use of crypto and digital assets. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers, Meta’s Ania Helseth joins Hogan Lovells’ Leo von Gerlach to talk candidly about Europe’s fast-moving AI regulatory landscape. From the AI Act to the EU’s code of practice, she explains why a patchwork of rules and signals is making it “really difficult to start launching new products when you don’t really know what rules apply to you.” For in-house lawyers and business leaders, it’s a rare inside view on how regulation is shaping innovation - and what to watch next. About Meta: Meta Platforms, Inc. is a multinational technology conglomerate known for its social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, and its development of virtual and augmented reality technologies through its Reality Labs segment. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this new feature of The Influencers, we turn the spotlight on our own Hogan Lovells partners for the first time. Melissa Bianchi and Cybil Roehrenbeck join Leo von Gerlach to unpack how U.S. federal AI initiatives are reshaping healthcare. They explore the government’s digital health ecosystem, the CMS interoperability framework, and the balance between innovation and privacy. This episode delivers practical insights into both the regulatory hurdles and the business opportunities in the fast-evolving world of AI in healthcare.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers, Edward Britan, Senior Vice President at Salesforce, discusses with Hogan Lovells host Leo von Gerlach how AI agents are transforming privacy, governance, and the way legal teams work. He explains how Salesforce builds trust with customers through rigorous AI governance processes, close collaboration with regulators, and a focus on high-quality data. For in-house counsel, Britan offers practical insights on establishing guardrails, integrating AI into compliance programs, and preparing teams for a future where human judgment and AI capabilities work hand-in-hand.   About Salesforce:  Salesforce is the leading AI CRM, where humans with agents drive customer success together with AI, data, and Customer 360 apps on one unified platform.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers, Lord Kulveer Ranger, member of the UK House of Lords offers advice for leaders in government and business to navigate the accelerating pace of digital transformation. In conversation with Hogan Lovells host Leo von Gerlach, he shares lessons on how legal teams can collaborate more effectively with technologists, avoid common pitfalls in tech-driven change, and ensure innovation benefits the whole organization—not just a select few. For anyone facing complex decisions around tech adoption, governance, and risk, this is a must-listen. About Lord Ranger:  Lord Kulveer Ranger is a technology and transport visionary, who has worked, advised, invested and led across the digital ecosystem of startups & scale ups, policy and trade bodies, government and global firms. He is a member of the House of Lord and an expert in strategic communications. Learn more at https://www.kulveerranger.com/ About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. A special note: our influencers are taking some downtime this summer, so we are too. The Influencers will return 3 September 2025 for our fourth season of conversations with some of the most interesting and compelling voices working at the intersection of law, business, and technology. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers, Christian Temath, Managing Director of KI.NRW, explores how businesses and legal advisors can move from AI curiosity to concrete application. From practical use cases like AI-enabled ovens to broader conversations about regulatory uncertainty and Europe’s technological sovereignty, Temath offers a grounded, forward-looking view on applied AI. His insights reveal what it takes to turn AI ambition into impact—even for organizations just beginning their digital transformation journey.   About KI.NRW:  KI.NRW is a competence platform and main networking initiative for artificial intelligence (AI) in North Rhine-Westphalia in Western Germany. It aims to position the region as a leading hub for applied AI by fostering collaboration between research institutions and industry players.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this third episode wrapping up our insurance-focused miniseries of The Influencers, Hogan Lovells host Karishma Paroha and Tom Hughes of the International Underwriting Association dive into the business-critical role of cloud technology with James Lord, Head of Insurance, Legal and Financial Services at Google Cloud UK & Ireland. Together, they explore how the cloud is reshaping the insurance and legal sectors by enabling hyper-personalized services, faster claims and legal processes, and stronger security and resilience. They also discuss the ethical and regulatory challenges of AI in the cloud as Lord explains how companies can drive meaningful innovation by embracing a “CAARMA” mindset: Change agents, Appetite, Ambition, Risk, Mindset, and Action.   About Google Cloud:  Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.   About the International Underwriting Association of London: The International Underwriting Association of London is the representative body for companies in London providing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance coverage, whose mission is to secure an optimal trading environment for insurance companies.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers, Alistair Blundy, CEO and lead underwriter at ATA, shares a compelling glimpse into the rapidly evolving world of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) with Hogan Lovells host Karishma Paroha and Tom Hughes, at IUA. From electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft to autonomous flight systems, Blundy unpacks both the groundbreaking opportunities and the complex insurance risks that come with the future of aviation. If you’re curious about flying taxis, hydrogen-powered planes, or how insurers are keeping pace with the sky of tomorrow, this conversation offers a fascinating look at what’s coming next.   About ATA:  Advanced Technology Assurance Limited (ATA) is a global leader in insurance whose team of highly technical underwriters handle advanced technology risks in a straightforward way. ATA offers fit-for-purpose insurance products that protect and enable the growth of industries that shape the future.   About the International Underwriting Association of London: The International Underwriting Association of London is the representative body for companies in London providing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance coverage, whose mission is to secure an optimal trading environment for insurance companies.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.

In this captivating episode, the first in a special three-part collaboration between Hogan Lovells and the International Underwriting Association of London (IUA), Hogan Lovells host Karishma Paroha and Tom Hughes, Senior Underwriting and Claims Executive at IUA, explore the future of socially assistive robotics with Alexandre Colle, CEO of KONPANION and designer of Maah — an emotionally intelligent companion robot that blends cutting-edge tech with bespoke design. From emotional dependency and data ethics to regulatory frameworks and user-centered innovation, the conversation dives deep into how robotics could redefine care, connection, and even the home itself. If you're curious about what our lives might look like – and what the risk might be – as we crest the next frontier of robotics, this is a must-listen.   About KONPANION:  Integrating elegant design with artificial intelligence, KONPANION pioneers a unique direction for domestic robotics and creates an entirely new species of alternative pets.     About the International Underwriting Association of London: The International Underwriting Association of London is the representative body for companies in London providing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance coverage, whose mission is to secure an optimal trading environment for insurance companies.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.

Legal technologist Stephen Holloway and Hogan Lovells host Leo von Gerlach explore how digital technology is reshaping the legal sector, emphasizing the critical role of data, collaboration, and mindset shifts in driving innovation. Stephen shares compelling insider insights on how lawyers and law firms can harness technology to improve client service, increase efficiency, and stay competitive in an evolving legal landscape. About Thomson Reuters:  Thomson Reuters informs the way forward by bringing together the trusted content and technology that people and organizations need to make the right decisions. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.

In this episode of The Influencers, Andrea Rocchetto, co-founder of Ephos, joins Hogan Lovells host Leo von Gerlach and patent litigator Giovanni Trabucco to explore the cutting edge of photonic chips and quantum computing. They unpack the transformative potential of quantum technology – from reshaping encryption and cybersecurity to redefining legal standards – and spotlight approaches to regulatory reform to foster innovation in Europe. This conversation will fascinate anyone interested in how emerging technologies like quantum computing are intersecting with legal innovation and shaping the future of digital transformation.   About Ephos: Ephos is building the essential infrastructure for the future of computing. We design and manufacture glass-based integrated photonic circuits that power the most advanced classical and quantum devices. Leveraging their proprietary femtosecond laser writing manufacturing process, they design and build glass-based photonic chips controlling every aspect of the process, from materials procurement through benchmarking.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers, Wojciech Kreft, Senior IP Counsel at Novartis, and Hogan Lovells host Leo von Gerlach explore how digital technologies are transforming global IP operations in general and those of IP rights management in particular—boosting efficiency, streamlining communication, and exposing the impact of legaltech solutions on inhouse teams and their external legal advisors. His thoughtful perspective offers valuable insight for anyone navigating digital transformation of a large corporate IP portfolio. About Novartis:  Novartis is an innovative medicines company whose medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide and that works to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of The Influencers, Dr. Catherine Cutts, Digital Operating Partner at KKR and former Chief Data Scientist at 10 Downing Street, unpacks the transformative role of AI in private equity and beyond. She shares insights on AI’s evolving impact on investment decisions, the challenges and opportunities of AI-driven business transformation, and the geopolitical landscape shaping AI innovation. Whether you're interested in the future of AI in business or how companies can strategically leverage AI for growth, this conversation is packed with thought-provoking takeaways.   About KKR and Dr. Cutts:  KKR is a global investment firm investing across private markets in every asset class all over the world, where Dr. Cutts is a London-based member of the Capstone team. She has also previously worked in consulting, at 10 Downing Street, and in academia.  Dr. Cutts holds an MA in Mathematics, an MPhil in Computational Biology and a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Cambridge.

In this episode of The Influencers, Hogan Lovells host Leo von Gerlach speaks with Sebastian Schirber, Partner at Artefact, about the transformative power of AI and data analytics in business. They explore Europe's competitive edge in AI adoption, the role of regulation, and how startups can thrive despite constraints. With insights on digital transformation across industries and lessons from the Netherlands' thriving tech scene, this conversation offers valuable perspectives for anyone navigating AI's impact on business strategy. About Artefact and Sebastian Schirber:  Artefact is a global services company that sits at the intersection of consulting, data science, AI technologies and marketing, where Sebastian, a PhD in climate science, focuses on financial services and energy firms. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.