The Hidden Business Risks of AI: Why Guardrails Matter with Marietje Schaake

AI is reshaping business, but without proper governance, it creates serious compliance, legal, and reputational risks. In this episode of The AI Sidekick: Banishing Legal AI Anxiety podcast, Stanford’s Marietje Schaake breaks down what AI regulation really means for business leaders. From Big Tech’s resistance to oversight to AI-driven fraud and bias, this conversation delivers must-know insights for CLOs, CFOs, and legal ops executives managing AI adoption. Discover why AI governance isn’t about limitations—it’s the key to sustainable, risk-proof business adoption. To learn more about Robin AI visit www.robinai.com/book-a-demo

AI is transforming business operations, but without the right governance, it poses legal, regulatory, and reputational risks. In this episode of The AI Sidekick: Banishing Legal AI Anxiety podcast, host Ryan Heath speaks with Stanford’s Marietje Schaake, a leading expert on AI policy and governance, about what business leaders need to know about AI regulation today.

Together, they discuss:

The business risks of AI’s "information deficit"—why lack of transparency in AI models creates compliance headaches for enterprises
How AI governance differs in the EU, US, and China and what that means for global business leaders navigating AI laws
The myth that AI regulation stifles innovation—how smart governance can actually drive business growth and efficiency
Why Big Tech is taking on "state-like powers" and the implications for legal operations, corporate accountability, and contract automation
How unpredictable AI behavior threatens contract integrity—and how leaders can safeguard decision-making."
Why AI models need structured testing before deployment and how legal and compliance teams can ensure AI-driven tools are safe and scalable.

Marietje Schaake is a distinguished fellow at Stanford’s Cyber Policy Center and Institute for Human-Centered AI. A former European Parliament member and president of the Cyber Peace Institute, she has played a key role in shaping AI regulation worldwide. Her latest book, "The Tech Coup," explores Silicon Valley’s expanding influence on democracy and the global economy. As a Financial Times columnist and an expert on the EU AI Act, she offers invaluable insights for corporate leaders navigating AI governance and responsible innovation.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. Also, rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, we appreciate all feedback from our listeners 🙂

To learn more about Robin AI visit www.robinai.com/book-a-demo

Episode Resources:

Marietje Schaake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marietjeschaake/
Book: The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tech-Coup-Democracy-Silicon-Valley/dp/0691241171
Ryan Heath on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryangheath/
Robin AI Website: https://www.robinai.com/?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=ProfilePage