Ctrl Alt Lead

Tom Allen
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Computing editor Tom Allen talks to tech execs about their challenges, their passions and, of course, their technology - from AI to zero-days, and everything in between.

  1. 4 days ago

    Kate O'Neill Tech Humanist: Leading wisely through uncertainty

    Is AI becoming a race that nobody can afford to lose – and if so, what does that mean for the leaders tasked with making responsible decisions about its adoption? In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, Penny Horwood speaks with globally recognised author, speaker and strategist Kate O'Neill, also known as The Tech Humanist. Together they explore the widening gap between AI innovation and AI governance, the pressures leaders face to move quickly, and why organisations need better judgement rather than faster technology. Kate explains why digital transformation should always be driven by business purpose rather than technological capability, discusses the environmental and societal implications of AI infrastructure, and argues for a more nuanced public conversation about artificial intelligence. She also shares insights from her latest book, What Matters Next, including her Now-Next Continuum framework for making wiser decisions amid uncertainty and her concept of "ethical acceleration" – moving quickly without sacrificing responsibility, trust or human-centred outcomes. Whether you're grappling with AI strategy, governance, risk or organisational change, this episode offers practical guidance for making decisions that remain sound, in the face of uncertainty.  Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood  Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. 29 Jun

    Time Will Tell

    Tom and Penny break down the latest developments shaping the technology landscape, starting with a sharp global tech stock sell-off forcing organisations to rethink how they measure value from AI. We also explore the realities of AI use at scale, from token pricing to emerging challenges like model ‘looping’; how extreme heat, public discontent and increasing scrutiny of water usage are putting datacentres under pressure; and the effect a(nother) new Prime Minister might have on the British tech landscape. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood  Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  3. 22 Jun

    Social Bans, Spiteful Politics and Valuation Vibes

    This special news-focused episode focuses on three major stories from the last week. First is the UK government’s proposed social media ban for under-16s, and the wider regulatory shift it represents. Rather than targeting content or companies, the government has opted to place the onus on young people. While enforcement remains uncertain, we're seeing a more interventionist approach to technology governance. We also explore the geopolitical dimension of AI, following the US government’s decision to restrict access to Anthropic’s Fable and Mythos - raising even more concerns about sovereignty. We close with a look at the soaring IPO valuation of SpaceX, what it means for retail investors and whether we truly are in an era of investing driven by hype and vibes. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood  Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. 15 Jun

    Darren Anstee, NetScout: Defending football’s biggest tournament

    The World Cup brings more than global attention; it also drives a sharp rise in cyber threat activity. Darren Anstee, CTO for security at NetScout, sets out how DDoS attacks increase around major sporting events, often starting months before kick-off and peaking during live matches. Attackers test defences early then target critical services once the tournament is underway. Darren also highlights a shift in hacktivist tactics. Rather than hit well-defended front ends, groups now aim for weaker links in digital supply chains to disrupt core services. He stresses the need for preparation, collaboration and shared intelligence, especially for a tournament spread across multiple countries with a larger attack surface. “It is all about the preparation,” he says. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood  Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  5. 8 Jun

    Romain Huet: OpenAI's View on Agents and Infrastructure

    AI coding tools aren't just about writing code faster. In this episode, OpenAI's Head of Developer Experience Romain Huet explains why tools like Codex are becoming general‑purpose work agents that can handle documentation, reviews, backlog reduction and even operational tasks — and the effect this dramatically compressed time from idea to production will have on the developer ecosystem. We also tackle the questions keeping CIOs awake at night: security, visibility and control. Huet outlines how OpenAI is thinking about sandboxing, permissions and human‑in‑the‑loop design, and why IT leaders should focus less on replacing developers and more on unleashing them to work on the problems that actually matter. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood  Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. 26 May

    Samantha Kight, GSMA: Why Mobile Scams Are Bigger Than Drugs

    Mobile scams are no longer isolated or opportunistic. Drawing on global research and collaboration across the mobile industry, the GSMA's Head of industry Security Samantha Kight explains how scams have overtaken traditional crime in profitability, with social engineering now more effective than technical exploits. As generative AI lowers the barrier to entry for this attack path, legacy networks and uneven digital literacy continue to amplify the problem in certain regions. We also dig into how defenders are responding. For CISOs and IT leaders, the advice is grounded in fundamentals: focus on basic security hygiene, layered defences, early detection and collaboration across supply chains. Smartphones are both the most trusted and most targeted device in everyday life, so rebuilding trust in the mobile ecosystem is a shared responsibility. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood  Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  7. 11 May

    Bastien Parizot, Reckitt: Speed isn’t a Business Case for AI

    Speed is one of AI’s easiest wins and one of its biggest traps. In this episode Bastien Parizot of Reckitt explains why faster execution alone is not a business case for AI adoption. At Reckitt, AI initiatives live or die by a simple test: can they deliver higher‑quality outcomes? “If it’s faster but not better,” Parizot says, “it’s a lot of investment for not really making our business better.” Parizot outlines Reckitt’s proof‑of‑value framework and its “deep and narrow” rollout across marketing and R&D, where AI is embedded directly into everyday work rather than siloed pilots. Projects that save time but fail to raise standards are stopped outright. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood  Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  8. 27 Apr

    Ajay Pancholi, Carlsberg Britvic: Building the Foundations for Accountable AI

    In this episode of Ctrl Alt Lead, Penny Horwood is joined by Ajay Pancholi, IT Infrastructure Lead at Carlsberg Britvic and founder of the AI Security, Ethics and Governance UK community, to explore why organisations need to rethink how they approach AI. Pancholi argues that AI should be treated as critical infrastructure, not “innovation theatre”, warning that most enterprise risk sits outside the models themselves and lies within systems, data pipelines, identity and operations. Drawing on his infrastructure background, he explains why opaque vendor stacks, weak controls and poor integration create hidden risks, from data leaks to vendor lock‑in. The conversation also tackles AI governance, reframing it as an enabler rather than bureaucracy, and looks at how organisations can design safe spaces for experimentation without inviting shadow AI. Looking ahead, Pancholi outlines what will force the shift from experimentation to accountable deployment, and what IT leaders should be doing now to prepare for greater scrutiny, regulation and scale. Become a member of Computing today at www.computing.co.uk LinkedIn: @computing-- / Tom Allen / Penny Horwood  Are you an IT leader with a story to tell? Get in touch by emailing tomallen@thechannelcompany.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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About

Computing editor Tom Allen talks to tech execs about their challenges, their passions and, of course, their technology - from AI to zero-days, and everything in between.

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Allen
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 The Channel Company
  • Show Website
    Ctrl Alt Lead