Camille Stewart Gloster on Empowering Change Through Tech and AI - Chief Influencer - Episode # 068

Chief Influencer

Camille Stewart Gloster, the former White House cyber and AI czar, shares her experiences and insights. Her background includes working in the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and Google. Camille discusses her journey from a legal fellowship to becoming an expert in cybersecurity and AI, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives. She highlights the necessity of creating policies based on values rather than specific technologies and underscores the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and civil society. Camille also advocates for empowering people through technology education and discusses her involvement in initiatives like 'ABCs of Cybersecurity' to promote these fields among diverse communities.

Takeaways:

• Understand Stakeholders' Motivations: Before engaging in any negotiation or attempting to influence others, it's crucial to understand the motivations and priorities of the stakeholders involved. This knowledge will help find common ground and build a foundation for productive discussions.
• Articulate a Clear Vision: Successful leaders set a clear, affirmative vision that resonates with their audience's fundamental values and aspirations. This approach inspires and motivates people to align with the leader's goals and objectives.
• Foster Collaboration: It is essential to bring together various stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and different government agencies. Leaders must facilitate collaboration by highlighting shared goals and balancing different motivations to advance a common agenda.
• Be Transparent and Communicative: Open and transparent communication is key to building trust and aligning competing priorities. Leaders should consistently update stakeholders on progress, challenges, and any areas of confusion to maintain a candid dialogue.
• Encourage Proactive and Resilient Policies: Instead of reacting to threats or technological changes, focus on policies that protect core values and establish a proactive, resilient framework. This approach allows for better adaptation to future challenges and technological evolutions.
• Promote Education and Empowerment: Leaders should advocate for education and empowerment in technology and cybersecurity. Engaging communities and providing the necessary tools and knowledge will ensure broader participation and resilience in the digital age.
• Recognize the Importance of Diversity: Diverse perspectives are critical in addressing complex issues like national security, cybersecurity, and AI. Leaders should strive to include individuals from various backgrounds to foster innovative solutions and create an inclusive environment.

Quote of the Show:

• “It is important for people to feel empowered in and through technology. There's a lot of opportunity, economic, career, and creative, and I don't want people to get or feel left behind."

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillestewartesq/
• Website: https://camillestewartgloster.com/casstrategies

Shout Outs:

• UK AI Summit: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/ai-safety-summit-2023
• Seoul AI Summit: https://www.csis.org/analysis/ai-seoul-summit
• France AI Summit: https://franceintheus.org/spip.php?article11521
• AIEO: https://www.epa.gov/tribal/american-indian-environmental-office-aieo
• EU’s AI Act: https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/