The AICD is proud to announce the launch of a brand new podcast offering - Director Download.

Director Download is a weekly podcast series that keeps directors and senior leaders ahead of evolving governance obligations.

Each episode features conversations with policy experts and leading directors to unpack complex governance challenges and deliver practical insights that can be applied in the boardroom.

You can listen by searching 'Director Download' in your podcast player, or by clicking the links below:

• Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033f7mHnHstKVIekaBMT2Y
• Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/director-download/id1896576074

Presented by Okta

Artificial intelligence is transforming organisations at extraordinary speed. But as businesses adopt AI agents and autonomous systems, new governance and cyber security risks are emerging just as quickly.

In this episode, Mathew Graham, Chief Security Officer for Okta Asia-Pacific, explains why boards need to rethink cyber security in an AI-driven world. He explores the rise of "non-human identities", how AI agents are changing the workforce, and why governance is shifting from controlling access to governing behaviour.

Mathew discusses the risks created by autonomous systems operating at scale, the importance of visibility and accountability, and why some leaders still lack a clear understanding of what AI tools are doing inside their organisations. He also outlines practical steps boards can take to build effective AI governance frameworks without becoming a handbrake on innovation.

The conversation covers AI-enabled cyber attacks, supply chain vulnerabilities, organisational culture, regulatory change and the growing importance of identity management. Mathew also shares why curiosity, experimentation and strong governance will be essential capabilities for directors as AI continues to reshape business and risk over the decade ahead.

Key Takeaways:

The rise of non-human identities — how AI agents are becoming part of the workforce and reshaping organisational risk.
Governance in an AI era — why boards need visibility, accountability and oversight of autonomous systems.
Speed and scale of AI risk — how misconfigured AI agents can create rapid downstream impacts across organisations.
Innovation versus control — balancing experimentation and productivity gains with governance and guardrails.
Third-party and supply chain risk — managing exposure created by external AI tools and platforms.
AI as a defensive tool — using AI to detect threats, analyse data and improve cyber resilience.
Board capability and curiosity — why directors need to stay informed, experiment with AI tools and understand their implications.

Skipp Williamson has spent decades working with organisations on one of the most persistent challenges in business: execution. As founder of Partners in Performance, she has seen first-hand how even the most compelling strategies can unravel when delivery falls short.

In this conversation, Skipp explores why execution risk is often underestimated at board level, and how major projects can drift off course despite appearing on track. She explains the difference between the "pageantry" of project management and the realities of delivery, and why traditional reporting often obscures more than it reveals.

The discussion examines how boards can strengthen oversight without crossing into management, including what to look for in critical projects and how to identify early warning signs. Skipp also shares practical insights on capability, accountability and the importance of leading indicators, alongside lessons from large-scale transformations, AI programs and decarbonisation efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• The illusion of control — how reporting and dashboards can mask emerging risks in major projects.
• Project failure dynamics — why initiatives drift off course long before problems are visible.
• Board oversight in practice — probing assumptions, testing readiness and knowing where to focus.
• Leading versus lagging indicators — shifting from retrospective reporting to forward-looking insight.
• Transformation at scale — aligning strategy, execution and accountability across complex organisations.
• AI and execution discipline — applying lessons from past transformations to new technology investments.
• Decarbonisation as delivery challenge — turning ambition into achievable action.