AI Trust Talks: Policy Pulse Check - Global Fragmentation, Policy Augmentation, and Self-Governance

In this episode of Credo AI Trust Talks, host Lucas Stewart sits down with Akanksha Ray, Credo AI’s Global Director of AI Policy, for a wide-ranging pulse check on the rapidly evolving world of AI governance. Akanksha breaks down the tension between the push for faster AI innovation and the growing demand for regulation that protects consumers, industries, and democratic processes. From the federal government’s deregulatory reviews to the surge in state-level AI laws, she explains why the policy landscape is both accelerating and fragmenting—and why organizations need to understand the risks behind automated and agentic systems before regulation forces their hand.

Together, Lucas and Akanksha explore why enterprises are rushing to adopt AI but still hesitating to deploy autonomous agents at scale, how “self-governance” is becoming essential as laws lag behind technology, and why standards from bodies like NIST and ISO are quietly becoming the foundation of responsible AI. They also unpack insights from McKinsey’s new 2025 AI report, discuss why governance gaps may be holding back the so-called “year of the agent,” and offer guidance for businesses navigating a chaotic mix of innovation pressure, regulatory uncertainty, and real-world risk. Whether you’re in policy, AI governance, or just trying to stay ahead of what’s coming, this conversation will help you keep your finger firmly on the pulse of the AI era.