The Influencers: Digital Transformation

Building legal AI that lawyers can trust with Alexander Kardos Nyheim, Thomson Reuters

Law and legal services are among the toughest tests for artificial intelligence. In this episode of The Influencers, Alexander Kardos Nyheim joins Leo von Gerlach to discuss why legal work demands AI models that are pre-trained differently on top of their general‑purpose abilities.
 
Drawing on his experience founding Safe Sign Technologies and now leading machine learning research at Thomson Reuters, Alexander explains why general purpose AI’s emphasis on fluency is no proper match for the finesse of legal drafting. He explores the importance of domain‑specific training, authoritative legal data, and models grounded in legal reasoning rather than surface‑level coherence. From the role of foundational models to the future of legal‑specific AI, this conversation offers practical insight for anyone navigating the adoption of AI in legal practice.
 
About Thomson Reuters:  Thomson Reuters is an AI and technology company empowering professionals with trusted content and workflow automation to know now and navigate what’s next
 
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 2,800 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.
 
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What tomorrow’s risk leaders need to succeed with Diane Maxwell, Airmic

Risk leaders are being asked to make bigger decisions, faster, with less certainty than ever before. Diane Maxwell, CEO of Airmic, joins Karishma Paroha and Tom Hughes in this episode of The Influencers to reflect on what that reality means for the future of risk management and insurance. From cyber threats and AI to quantum computing and systemic risk, Diane explores why technology is both a solution and a source of new uncertainty. She shares where risk tech is genuinely adding value today, why adoption often lags behind ambition, and why curiosity, humility and the confidence to say “I don’t know” are becoming essential leadership traits. A thoughtful conversation for anyone navigating risk, resilience and decision‑making in a rapidly changing world.
 
About Airmic: Airmic is the UK’s leading association for risk management professionals, supporting a broad membership across sectors including retail, energy, automotive, food and hospitality. The organisation works with insurers and industry partners to strengthen financial and business resilience, advance professional capability and help members navigate an increasingly complex risk landscape shaped by technology, data and systemic change.
 
About the International Underwriting Association of London: The International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) is the representative body for companies in London providing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance coverage. Its mission statement is to secure an optimal trading environment for London 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!
 

Listening to the ocean: AI, acoustics, and the future of tsunami warning with Dr Usama Kadri

The ocean sends signals long before a tsunami reaches land. In this episode of The Influencers, Dr Usama Kadri, reader in applied mathematics at Cardiff University, explains how scientists are finally learning how to listen. Drawing on his pioneering work with acoustic gravity waves and physics‑informed AI, Dr Kadri shares how real‑time sound data from the ocean could transform tsunami early warning systems. The discussion moves from the limits of seismic and buoy‑based forecasting to the practical benefits of faster detection, fewer false alarms and more targeted evacuations. With implications for governments, emergency responders and insurers alike, this conversation shows how advanced science, when paired with AI and collaboration, can move from theory to life‑saving impact.
 
About Dr Usama Kadri: Dr Usama Kadri is a reader in applied mathematics at Cardiff University and an engineer whose work sits at the intersection of mathematics, engineering and ocean science. His world‑leading research focuses on acoustic gravity waves and the use of physics‑informed AI to improve tsunami detection and early warning systems. By combining analytical models with real‑time ocean data, Dr Kadri’s work aims to deliver faster, more accurate forecasts, reduce false alarms and ultimately save lives through better disaster preparedness.
 
About the International Underwriting Association of London: The International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) is the representative body for companies in London providing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance coverage. Its mission statement is to secure an optimal trading environment for London 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!

Stablecoins beyond the hype: what institutions need to know with Luke Kovic, Applied Blockchain

We’re kicking off a three-episode special miniseries of The Influencers focused on the intersection of insurance and digital with a spotlight on stablecoins and their growing role as financial infrastructure. Karishma Paroha of Hogan Lovells and Tom Hughes of the International Underwriting Association of London are joined by Luke Kovic of Applied Blockchain to unpack how stablecoins are moving from crypto markets into payments, treasury management, and institutional finance. The discussion explores where real value is emerging, what makes a stablecoin resilient, and why governance, regulation, and risk management will determine whether this technology can scale with confidence.
 
About Applied Blockchain: Applied Blockchain is a blockchain development studio specializing in building enterprise-grade blockchain and privacy solutions for real-world use. Founded in London in 2015, the company works with global organizations to move blockchain from experimentation into secure, scalable financial and operational infrastructure, with a particular focus on stablecoins, digital assets, and regulated environments. Applied Blockchain is known for its deep engineering expertise and its work at the intersection of technology, finance, and governance.
 
About the International Underwriting Association of London: The International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) is the representative body for companies in London providing international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance coverage. Its mission statement is to secure an optimal trading environment for London 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. For anyone who wants to explore the themes we’ve discussed today with Luke, from stablecoins and digital infrastructure to risk and insurance, the DAB Hub is a one stop resource. You can sign up there to receive ongoing insights and thought leadership.
 
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!

AI, ESG, and Ethics: Building Responsible Systems for a Transforming World I Part 2

In part two of our conversation on AI, ESG, and ethics, the discussion between Hogan Lovells Global Head of ESG Adrian Walker and Sustainable Finance Co-Head Rita Hunter with host Leo von Gerlach the conversation goes deeper and reveals how governments, regulators, and global corporations are racing to keep pace with AI’s rapid rise. Discover what is truly at stake as policy, politics, and emerging technologies intersect, and learn how companies can turn strong governance into a strategic advantage. If you’re thinking about the future of responsible innovation, this is an episode you will not want to miss.
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!

AI, ESG, and Ethics: Building Responsible Systems for a Transforming World I Part 1

Step inside a conversation that is shaping the future of sustainability in our two-part series on AI, ESG, and ethics. In this first episode, Hogan Lovells Global Head of ESG Adrian Walker and Sustainable Finance Co-Head Rita Hunter, along with host Leo von Gerlach, explore how AI is colliding with and accelerating the biggest issues in ESG, from climate innovation to human‑centric governance. If you have wondered whether AI is a catalyst for progress or a new source of risk, this episode invites you to rethink how these forces can work together.
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!

AI Adoption in Legal: A roadmap for 2026 with Sebastian Lach, CEO of ELTEMATE

In this candid episode of The Influencers, Sebastian Lach, CEO of ELTEMATE, joins host Leo von Gerlach to break down the actual state of legal tech in 2025–26. From short, medium, and long verticals to the hard grind of data structuring, Sebastian explains how legal teams are moving from experimentation to true adoption, and why the winners will be the ones who invest in the foundations, not the flash. This thoughtful and pragmatic episode gives leaders a clear picture of where AI is really going in the legal market, and what it will take to get ahead.
 
About ELTEMATE:  ELTEMATE’s goal is to make clients’ lives easier by delivering practical solutions to everyday legal tech problems. They combine a deep understanding of clients' legal needs with the speed and innovation of a legal tech start-up, with a portfolio that covers a large spectrum of solutions, including generative AI, machine learning, eDiscovery, and much more.
 
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!

The new AI powerhouse: How Asia’s innovation is reshaping global business

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!

How retailers are navigating AI risks and rewards with Caroline Reppert, National Retail Federation

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!

Inside the AI Bubble: What’s Real, What’s Noise, and What’s Next With SAP Signavio

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!