Can we trust something we don't fully understand? With Simon McDougall and Avtar Benning

Can we trust something we don't fully understand? With Simon McDougall and Avtar Benning

Author: Deloitte UK June 30, 2026 Duration: 40:21

The challenge is no longer just what AI can do, but whether people have enough confidence to use it.

As AI adoption accelerates, trust is becoming one of the biggest barriers to scale – the difference between experimentation and widespread transformation.

Because the companies that benefit most from the technology may not be the ones with the most advanced capabilities, but those that create enough trust for people to use it.

So what does it take to create systems where decisions and risk can be understood, measured and trusted? Because trust isn't something technology can ask for, it's built through experience, transparency, governance and fairness.

AI isn't just making us more productive. It's influencing decisions that impact people's lives and driving widespread change in how we work, think and choose. If the future is AI-led - understanding what's inside the "black box" matters more than ever.

Simon McDougall, Chief Strategist for Privacy and AI at ZoomInfo, and Avtar Benning, director in Deloitte's Trustworthy AI offering, join us in The Green Room as we ask: Can we trust something we don't fully understand?

Tune in to find out:

  • How the pace of adoption is making trust harder
  • What AI can learn from aeroplanes and food hygiene ratings
  • The three foundations needed to build trust at scale
  • Why AI and humans fail differently

This episode is part of The Green Room's series exploring the AI future for the UK. Listen to the full series now, starting with our 100th episode: What will be the last job on earth?

Visit our website to learn more about this topic and find suggestions for other episodes: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

Find out more about Scope, one of Deloitte's national charity partners: scope.org.uk

Guests: Simon McDougall - Chief Strategist for Privacy & AI, ZoomInfo and Avtar Benning – Director in Trustworthy AI, Deloitte

Hosts: Steph Dobbs and Andrea Boxall
Original music: Ali Barrett

Recording date and location: London, 16.06.26


In The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business, conversations move beyond surface-level trends to examine the underlying forces reshaping the commercial landscape. Hosted by Deloitte UK, this award-winning podcast creates a space where complex, pressing questions are met with clarity and depth. Every discussion is built around a single, significant inquiry, bringing in leading voices from across various sectors to unpack it. What you'll hear is not just commentary, but substantive strategic analysis and expert insights designed for leaders and professionals who need to understand the 'why' and the 'how'. The dialogue consistently returns to critical, interconnected areas like digital transformation, the practical implications of AI and technology, evolving leadership models, and the realities of the future of work. It also delves into core business strategy, the pathways to genuine innovation, and the urgent demands of sustainability and climate action. This podcast functions as a dedicated forum for thought leadership, where each episode provides a focused lens on the topics that define success and responsibility in modern business. The aim is to equip listeners with perspectives that are both broad and deeply relevant, turning abstract concepts into actionable understanding. It’s a resource for anyone looking to engage with the substantive ideas that are currently challenging and changing organizations worldwide.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Green Room: Questions that matter most in business
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