The Influencers: Digital Transformation

Hogan Lovells

Welcome to The Influencers, where we bring you insightful conversations with leaders from business, academia and regulating authorities about all aspects of digital transformation and law. How will AI, big data, crypto and other deep digital technologies interact with the emerging laws and regulations? How to support innovation and progress without compromising ethical standards and the need for social responsibility? What are the stories behind new business ventures or legislative initiatives? And most of all: how to harness technological advancements to create wealth and wellbeing for all?

  1. FEB 11

    AI Adoption in Legal: A roadmap for 2026 with Sebastian Lach, CEO of ELTEMATE

    In this candid episode of The Influencers, Sebastian Lach, CEO of ELTEMATE, joins host Leo von Gerlach to break down the actual state of legal tech in 2025–26. From short, medium, and long verticals to the hard grind of data structuring, Sebastian explains how legal teams are moving from experimentation to true adoption, and why the winners will be the ones who invest in the foundations, not the flash. This thoughtful and pragmatic episode gives leaders a clear picture of where AI is really going in the legal market, and what it will take to get ahead.   About ELTEMATE:  ELTEMATE’s goal is to make clients’ lives easier by delivering practical solutions to everyday legal tech problems. They combine a deep understanding of clients' legal needs with the speed and innovation of a legal tech start-up, with a portfolio that covers a large spectrum of solutions, including generative AI, machine learning, eDiscovery, and much more.   About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future.   If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

    19 min
  2. JAN 14

    How retailers are navigating AI risks and rewards with Caroline Reppert, National Retail Federation

    In this episode of The Influencers: Digital Transformation, Caroline Reppert, Senior Director for AI and Technology Policy at the National Retail Federation, joins Leo von Gerlach to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping retail. From customer service chatbots and fraud prevention to supply chain optimization and workforce empowerment, Caroline shares how retailers of all sizes are navigating opportunities and risks. She dives into pressing issues like transparency, cybersecurity, and policymaking, offering a candid look at how businesses can balance innovation with consumer trust. About the National Retail Federation: The National Retail Federation (NRF) is the world's largest retail trade association, serving as the leading voice for all retail formats and channels in the U.S., advocating for policies, providing research, hosting major events like "Retail's Big Show, and offering education to support the vital retail industry that employs millions. Founded in 1911, NRF focuses on issues like tariffs, labor, technology, and consumer trends, helping retailers navigate challenges and driving economic growth through advocacy and resources. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

    18 min
  3. 12/09/2025

    Inside the AI Bubble: What’s Real, What’s Noise, and What’s Next With SAP Signavio

    In this episode of The Influencers, host Leo von Gerlach sits down with Lukas N P Egger, VP of Product Strategy & Innovation at SAP Signavio, for a wide-ranging conversation on the realities behind today’s AI “bubble,” the shifting economics of innovation, and what leaders must rethink as AI transforms every layer of business. Lukas unpacks why organizations often fail in their AI implementations, how to avoid “peacocking,” and why lowering the cost of failure is foundational to real transformation. It’s a candid, strategy-rich discussion that reframes hype, cuts through noise, and offers clear direction for leaders navigating AI-driven change. About Lukas N.P. Egger: As the VP of Product Strategy and Innovation at SAP Signavio, he leads cutting-edge AI initiatives, de-risks ambitious projects, and drives product discovery to create transformative solutions, with a focus on integrating AI strategy into core operations, building high-performing teams, and fostering a culture of innovation. Learn more about Lukas here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-np-egger/ About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

    56 min
  4. 11/11/2025

    AI for In-House Lawyers: How to Scale, Save Time, and Stay in Control with Lucy Tyrrell of Wordsmith AI

    In this episode of The Influencers, our host Leo von Gerlach speaks with Lucy Tyrrell, General Counsel at Wordsmith AI, about how AI-native platforms are transforming the daily realities of corporate legal departments. They discuss practical ways in-house teams can automate contract review, manage knowledge, and scale effectively without losing control of risk. Whether you’re a sole GC or leading a large legal team, this conversation offers clear takeaways on integrating AI to work smarter and free up time for more strategic work. About Wordsmith AI:  Wordsmith AI develops AI tools for legal teams to automate workflows, including pre-financing due diligence, contract risk analysis, and compliance audits. Follow the link: https://wordsmith.ai/ About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

    19 min
  5. 10/14/2025

    Inside Washington’s Crypto Pivot: Senator Kyrsten Sinema in conversation with Global Digital Finance’s Elise Soucie Watts

    In this special edition of The Influencers, recorded live at Hogan Lovells’ Digital Assets and Blockchain Summit, Elise Soucie Watts, Executive Director at Global Digital Finance, speaks with Senator Kyrsten Sinema about the dramatic shift in U.S. digital-asset policy under the new administration. Together they explore the transition from regulation-by-enforcement to a coordinated legislative and rulemaking framework anchored by the Genius and Clarity Acts—and what it means for market structure, bipartisan politics, and global alignment. For in-house counsel, this episode offers a rare insider’s view of how Washington is shaping the future of crypto, fintech, and financial-market regulation. About the Digital Assets Summit:  Every Fall, we gather policymakers and industry leaders to attend our annual summit on digital assets and tokenization, held in partnership with Global Digital Finance, a non-profit whose mission is to promote and underpin the greater adoption of market standards for the use of crypto and digital assets. About Hogan Lovells: Our Digital Transformation offering helps clients navigate the full breadth and depth of the seismic forces impacting their organizations – and today’s society. Leveraging team members across our 2800 lawyers on six continents, we provide integrated advice on the multifaceted regulatory, governance and enforcement issues and risks that arise across the many technologies and trends that comprise the new digital future. If you enjoyed today's episode, we'd love for you to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations on digital transformation and law. Thank you for your support!

    19 min

About

Welcome to The Influencers, where we bring you insightful conversations with leaders from business, academia and regulating authorities about all aspects of digital transformation and law. How will AI, big data, crypto and other deep digital technologies interact with the emerging laws and regulations? How to support innovation and progress without compromising ethical standards and the need for social responsibility? What are the stories behind new business ventures or legislative initiatives? And most of all: how to harness technological advancements to create wealth and wellbeing for all?