Does AI Need Guardrails?
Does AI Need Guardrails?
Does AI Need Guardrails: If so, what are the right mechanisms and jurisdictional
levels for providing effective AI Oversight?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from speculative promise into the fundamental
engine driving modern business and the economy. It has become a core driver of
productivity, innovation, and competitive advantage across healthcare, energy, supply
chains, customer experience, and more. As AI systems become embedded in products,
services, and critical infrastructure, society and organizations face a mounting tension:
how to preserve rapid innovation while preventing harm to safety, fairness, privacy, and
brand trust.
This panel examines whether AI requires guardrails and, if so, which practical,
businessenabling mechanisms (ranging from industry selfregulation and standards to
legislation and specialized regulatory agencies) and which levels of government or
institutions (state, federal, international) can most effectively ensure safe, equitable, and
innovationfriendly AI deployment.
Questions the panel will consider include:
– Technical Realities & The Sandbox Crisis: Are technical guardrails (like hard
network isolation and cryptographic kill switches) sufficient on their own, or does
the 'containment crisis' prove that AI capabilities have fundamentally outpaced
our software testing infrastructure?"
– Global Regulatory Fragmentation (US vs. EU vs. China): Does a heavy
regulatory guardrail approach endanger a nation’s technological leadership, or
will a lack of uniform, federal guardrails create legal uncertainty that ultimately
stalls enterprise adoption?"
– Defining the Boundary: Innovation vs. Risk : Where should the line be drawn
between acceptable operational risk and unacceptable systemic risk? What is
one actionable 'guardrail' every organization deploying AI agents must implement
today?"
MODERATOR:
Christopher Wolf
Senior Counsel Emeritus, Hogan Lovells US LLP
Christopher Wolf practiced law for nearly 40 years, concluding his career as a partner at Hogan Lovells Cadwalader. An accomplished litigator and recognized as a pioneer in Internet law, he established a leading practice in Internet, privacy and cybersecurity law. He founded the Future of Privacy Forum, an international think tank dedicated to advancing responsible data practices. Read full profile…
PANELISTS:
Pablo Breuer, PhD
Executive at a publicly traded Fortune 50 company
Dr. Pablo Breuer is an Executive at a publicly traded Fortune 50 company where he is the global governance lead for AI enablement. A 22-year veteran of the Navy, Pablo’s tours included top-level positions at U.S. Special Operations Command Donovan Group, SOFWERX, the NSA, US Cyber Command and US Naval Forces Central Command. Read full profile…
Sarah Murphy Gray, PhD
Head of Responsible AI, Google Cloud
Sarah Murphy Gray, PhD, has extensive experience in policy, research, and program management across various organizations. Notable roles include serving as Senior Policy and Program Associate at the Center for Global Policy Solutions, where Sarah contributed to the Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Initiative, and as Head of Responsible AI at Google Cloud. Read full profile…
Daniella Taveau
Founder, Bold Text Strategies
Daniella Taveau is an internationally recognized expert in developing global business
and regulatory strategies. She has extensive experience working with senior political officials and advises multinational corporations in six continents in the areas of international trade, finance, agriculture, food security and safety, chemicals, pesticides,new technologies, cosmetics and personal care, intergovernmental organizations, and information technology. Read full profile…
The Hon. Dr. John R. Unger II
Professor, West Virginia University
Dr. John R. Unger II helps institutions build artificial intelligence that is not only powerful, but responsible, reliable, and worthy of public trust. A Rhodes Scholar (Oxford, PPE), he is Adjunct Professor in West Virginia University’s Statler College, where he is helping establish an AI Center of Excellence and teaches Responsible and Reliable AI and Cybersecurity Ethics. Read full profile…