Artificial Intelligence Episodes
101
Aug. 24, 2026
AI SaaS Is Dying What Law Firms Will Build Instead
Episode of InfoGov Hot Seat Live. Host Jim Merrifield and co-host Leigh Zidwich talk AI data governance, agentic workflows, and strategy with Maged Helmy (CEO, Newcode) and Tim Fox (Chief Data and AI Officer, Ogletree Deakins). In this episode: Why law firms are shifting from prompt-based chatbots to agentic AI workflows at scale The hidden costs of "messy data" and how to handle enterprise search with newer LLMs Why AI as an infrastructure will soon replace AI as a SaaS Building...
Guests: Maged Helmy , Tim Fox
100
July 28, 2026
Why Most Law Firms Fail at AI Adoption (And How to Fix It)
Episode 100 of InfoGov Hot Seat Live. Host Jim Merrifield and co-host Leigh Zidwick talk AI adoption in law firms with Donna O'Leary (Head of AI, New Code Ireland) and Zach Abramowitz (Founder, Killer Whale Strategies). In this episode: * Why "AI literacy" is replacing "AI training" — and what most firms got wrong the first time * The GPS/Waze analogy for how lawyers should (and shouldn't) trust AI * EU AI Act Article 4 and what it actually requires from law firms * Why security certifications ...
Guests: Donna O Leary , Zach Abramowitz
95
April 6, 2026
AI Governance and Defensible Disposal: A Practical Roadmap for 2026
In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, experts tackle one of the biggest mistakes organizations make with defensible disposal: treating it as an all-or-nothing initiative that must be completed at once. Learn why this approach erodes credibility and how to build a sustainable framework for compliance instead. The discussion covers practical implementation strategies for defensible disposal, AI governance controls, and the critical roadmap for information governance success in 2026. ...
93
March 24, 2026
Tony Forde on AI Governance, Dark Data, and ROT Disposal
In this special Global Information Governance Day episode, co-hosts Jim Merrifield and Leigh Zidwick interview Tony Forde, co-founder and CRO of Future in Tech (FIT), about the biggest surprises and priorities shaping information governance in 2026. Tony reveals a critical challenge governance teams face: the vast majority of client-driven data now lives outside traditional Document Management Systems in endpoints like OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams. This "inversion of data sources" is fo...
Guest: Anthony Forde
90
Feb. 16, 2026
Technology Leadership in 2026: CIO on AI, Cyber and Hybrid Work
CIO Rob Gilbert joins Jim Merrifield on the InfoGov Hot Seat to discuss what technology leadership actually looks like in 2026. From AI accountability to cybersecurity threats and hybrid work models, Rob delivers an honest assessment of where professional services firms stand today and what CIOs must do to stay ahead. KEY TOPICS COVERED: - Why change management is the most critical factor in AI adoption - How the billable hour model persists despite AI advancements - Who shares accountability...
Guest: Robert D. Guilbert
89
Feb. 2, 2026
Randy Bean on AI Investment ROI and Data Leadership in 2026
Randy Bean joins Jim Merrifield to discuss the critical evolution of AI and data leadership roles in organizations. As a leading voice in data leadership, Randy reveals why 96% of organizations now recognize data quality as essential for AI success, yet cultural transformation remains the biggest barrier to adoption.KEY TOPICS COVERED:- How the Chief Data Officer role has evolved over two decades- Why 96% of organizations cite data quality as critical for AI success- The dramatic increase in AI ...
Guest: Randy Bean
88
Jan. 14, 2026
Lawfront CIO: Why AI Is Under-Delivering in Legal Tech
Tony McKenna, CIO at Lawfront, joins Jim Merrifield to discuss AI in legal tech. From email automation to billable hour evolution, Tony shares his perspective on how law firms can actually transform technology investments into revenue streams. KEY TOPICS COVERED: - Why AI is under-delivering expectations in legal tech today - How AI can transform email management and boost productivity - The critical importance of integrating AI into existing workflows - Why commoditized legal ...
Guest: Tony McKenna
87
Jan. 5, 2026
Law Firm CIO on AI Adoption: The Real Blockers in 2026
Former law firm CIO Judy Flournoy joins Jim Merrifield to discuss the critical challenges facing legal AI adoption in 2026. With over 20 years leading technology in mid-sized law firms, Judy reveals who holds liability when AI hallucinates, why adoption fails, and what really matters for law firm CIOs today.KEY TOPICS COVERED:- Who is responsible when AI gives bad legal advice to clients- The real reason AI adoption fails in law firms (hint: it's not the data)- Why the billable hour model will s...
Guest: Judi F
84
Dec. 15, 2025
Navigating the Future of Information Governance
In this episode of InfoGovHotsie, host Jim Merrifield engages with Kathryn Rattigan and Albert Shiu from Robinson and Cole to discuss key insights from Infocon 2025. They explore the importance of data quality in AI initiatives, emerging risks in information governance, and actionable takeaways for organizations. The conversation also includes a rapid-fire round addressing myths and superlatives in the information governance field.
Guests: Kathryn Rattigan , Albert Shiu
83
Dec. 8, 2025
InfoCon 2025 Recap by Richard Freeman
In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield speaks with Richard Freeman from Ricoh about the key takeaways from Infocon 2025. They discuss the evolving landscape of information governance, the challenges posed by AI, and the importance of proactive governance strategies. Richard emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt their policies and procedures to effectively integrate AI while maintaining data integrity and security.Chapters00:00 Introduction to InfoCon 2025 Recap02:5...
81
Nov. 12, 2025
How A Tiny Idea Went Global
In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield welcomes Anne Cornish and Nathan Hughes to discuss the Global Information Consortium (GIC). They share insights into the origins of the GIC, its vision for the future, and the importance of collaboration in the field of information management. The conversation highlights the challenges and successes of building a global organization, the evolving landscape of information governance, and the diverse membership that the GIC aims to culti...
Guest: Nathan Hughes
80
Oct. 15, 2025
The Real Reason People Don't Follow The Rules
In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat Podcast, Jim Merrifield and Kim Tran discuss the critical role of people and change management in governance and compliance. They emphasize that governance is not merely a policy issue but fundamentally a challenge of human behavior and organizational culture. Through real-world examples, they illustrate the consequences of misalignment between governance and change management, and provide actionable advice for organizations to bridge this gap. The convers...
Guest: Kim Tran
79
Sept. 29, 2025
Beyond Compliance Checkboxes - Part 2
In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat Podcast, Jim Merrifield and Kim Tran discuss the critical shift from mandate-driven compliance policies to a mindset-driven approach. They explore the challenges organizations face in implementing these changes, share real-life examples of successful policy rollouts, and provide actionable steps for organizations to foster a culture of compliance that resonates with employees. The conversation emphasizes the importance of communication, training, and engag...
Guest: Kim Tran
78
Sept. 12, 2025
Fourth Quarter: Culture Always Scores
In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat Podcast, host Jim Merrifield and guest Kim Tran discuss the real compliance challenge, emphasizing that the key issues lie in people and culture rather than just policies and checklists. They explore why compliance efforts often fail, the disconnect between policies and organizational culture, and share real-world examples of compliance misalignment. The conversation concludes with actionable recommendations for fostering a culture that prioritizes complia...
Guest: Kim Tran
76
Aug. 19, 2025
Innovating Legal Tech: Private AI Cloud Solutions, Alexi's Story
In this conversation, Jim Merrifield interviews Mark Doble, CEO of Alexi, an AI company focused on the legal sector. Mark shares his journey from law school to founding Alexi, discussing the significant trends in AI adoption within law firms, the importance of humility in leadership, and how customer feedback shapes their innovation. He emphasizes the need for law firms to build proprietary tools and the exciting future of AI in the legal industry.
Guest: Mark Doble
74
July 22, 2025
UnBoxing CoPilot, A Microsoft MVP's Take
In this conversation, Jim Merrifield and Jared Matfess discuss the role of AI, particularly Microsoft's Copilot, in transforming productivity and business processes. Jared shares his background as a Microsoft MVP and solutions architect at AvePoint, emphasizing the importance of structuring unstructured data for effective AI implementation. They explore various use cases of AI in business, the significance of security and policy considerations, and best practices for organizations looking to ado...
Guest: Jared Matfess
72
June 2, 2025
IGHS72 - Navigating the Future of Technology with Ravi Malick, SVP & CIO at Box
In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield speaks with Ravi Malick, Global CIO at Box. They discuss the evolving role of IT in governance, the impact of AI on business processes, and the importance of collaboration across departments. Ravi shares insights on how different industries are adopting AI, the necessity for CIOs to engage with governance teams, and the future of workforce management in the age of technology. The conversation also touches on personal interests, includi...
Guest: Ravi Malick
71
May 10, 2025
IGHS71 - Recap from the ARMA InfoNEXT Conference
In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield is joined by Marina Kaganovich from Google and Jeffrey Sharer from Lexshift. They discuss their experiences at the InfoNext conference, focusing on the impact of Generative AI on information governance. The conversation explores real-world applications of GenAI, the future of AI in the workplace, and the importance of continuous learning in the evolving tech landscape. Both guests emphasize the need for professionals to adapt and lever...
Guests: Jeffrey Sharer , Marina Kaganovich
69
April 15, 2025
IGHS69 - Top Reasons to Attend InfoNext2025
In this episode of the Info Gov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield welcomes Sandy Serkes from Valora Technologies and Mike Salvarezza from ARMA to discuss the upcoming Infonext 2025 conference. They delve into the executive experience designed for senior-level professionals, the importance of AI adoption in information governance, and the diverse audience expected at the conference. The conversation highlights the need for information governance to evolve from a risk-averse mindset to one that embrac...
Guests: Michael Salvarezza , Sandra Serkes
68
April 8, 2025
IGHS68 - Navigating the Future of AI Governance with Inna Tokarev Sela
In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield interviews Inna Tokarev Sela, founder of Illumex.ai. They discuss Inna's background in AI and business intelligence, the vision behind Illumex.ai, and the challenges of AI and information governance. Inna emphasizes the importance of governance in AI, the need for safety and compliance, and the future of governance roles in organizations. The conversation concludes with insights on the potential of agentic AI and the importance of unde...
Guest: Inna Tokarev Sela
66
March 11, 2025
IGHS66 - AI and Data Hygiene: Keys to Success with Dr. Galina Datskovsky
In this episode of the InfoGov Hot Seat, host Jim Merrifield welcomes Dr. Galina Datskovsky, a prominent figure in the field of Information Governance (IG) and legal technology. They discuss Galina's extensive career, her contributions to the industry, and her passion for mentoring women in tech. The conversation delves into the innovations in IG technology, particularly the importance of data hygiene for successful AI implementation. Galina shares insights on the evolving role of AI in the lega...
Guest: galina datskovsky
65
Feb. 26, 2025
IGHS65 - Ryan Gerhardy, CEO at Pitchly
In this episode, Jim Merrifield interviews Ryan Gerhardy, CEO of Pitchly, discussing the evolution of Pitchly, its role in automating content creation for the professional services industry, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in information governance. They explore the deployment of Pitchly solutions, the ethical considerations in AI development, and the importance of data management. Ryan emphasizes the significant ROI that can be achieved through effective use of AI and encou...
Guest: Ryan Gerhardy
64
Feb. 18, 2025
IGHS64 - Interview with Maged Helmy, CEO at NewCode.ai
In this conversation, Jim Merrifield interviews Maged Helmy, CEO of NewCode.ai, discussing the evolution of AI in the legal industry. Maged shares his background in AI, the inspiration behind founding NewCode.ai, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for AI in legal work. The discussion also touches on the importance of ethics, security, and the future role of AI in transforming legal practices.
Guest: Maged Helmy
63
Feb. 5, 2025
IGHS63 - AI and the Future of Legal Tech: A Conversation with NetDocuments CEO Josh Baxter
In this conversation, Jim Merrifield interviews Josh Baxter, CEO of NetDocuments, discussing the evolution of legal technology, particularly the integration of AI into legal workflows. They explore the challenges and risks associated with AI, the importance of ethical considerations in AI development, and the future of knowledge management in law. The discussion emphasizes the need for seamless integration of technology in legal practices and the collaborative efforts required to navigate the ev...
Guest: Josh Baxter