ClearTech Loop: In the Know, On the Move

The CISO Role in the Age of Generative AI with Rob May

ClearTech Research / Jo Peterson Season 1 Episode 13

AI isn’t just another shiny tool — it’s a catalyst to rethink how we secure and govern our organizations. 

In this ClearTech Loop episode, Jo Peterson sits down with Rob May — Executive Chairman of ramsac, UK Cybersecurity Ambassador, and author of Harnessing AI and The Human Firewall

Rob shares a practical playbook for CISOs navigating AI adoption: 

Reframe the Role of AI: Treat it as assistive intelligence — a thought partner that changes the questions you ask, not just a productivity add-on. 

Red Team Smarter: Use generative AI to simulate likely attack paths in your environment so you can adjust defenses before alerts ever fire. 

Build Security In: Stop bolting security on at the end. Embed privacy checklists, automated testing, and audit trails directly into the AI development lifecycle. 

Govern with Confidence: CISOs must own the narrative around visibility, accountability, data use, and explainability. AI is both a defense multiplier and a governance responsibility. 

If you’ve been wondering how to balance AI innovation with trust, or how to expand your CISO mandate without slowing your teams down, this episode is for you. 

Watch the full conversation + subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7346174860760416256/ 

Key Quotes  

“Don’t think of it as artificial intelligence. Think of it as assistive intelligence.” — Rob May 

“When security and AI teams work side by side, you don’t slow down innovation — you accelerate trust in the outcomes.” — Rob May 

“AI can be both a force multiplier and a new category of risk. The CISO’s role is to maximize the former and govern the latter.” — Rob May 

Episode Notes

Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2248577/episodes/17885925
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tzf6dwfUh50
Subscribe to ClearTech Loop Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7346174860760416256/
Rob May’s books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rob-May/author/B078GYKHZJ 

Resources mentioned: