AI doesn’t fail because of bad models — it fails because of broken connections. Jo Peterson and David Linthicum unpack how IBM’s webMethods Hybrid Integration unites data, applications, and automation for AI that actually delivers.

Episode Description:

When it comes to AI success, it’s not just about the model — it’s about the movement of data.

In this episode of ClearTech Loop, Jo Peterson sits down with David Linthicum, Chief Analyst at Linthicum Research, to discuss why AI can’t scale without a strong integration backbone — and how IBM’s webMethods Hybrid Integration is changing that conversation.

They explore:

• The five major challenges facing enterprise architects today
• Why AI fails without connected systems
• How webMethods Hybrid Integration bridges on-prem and cloud environments
• The shift from integration as “plumbing” to integration as “infrastructure”
• Real-world examples of companies modernizing safely and quickly

David breaks down the patterns and pitfalls of enterprise integration — and why solving them is the foundation for secure, sustainable AI growth.

Guest:

David Linthicum
Chief Analyst, Linthicum Research

Host:

Jo Peterson
Chief Analyst, ClearTech Research

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AI safety isn’t about slowing innovation — it’s about steering smarter. In this episode of ClearTech Loop, Jo Peterson sits down with Dutch Schwartz, Vice President of Cloud Services and fractional CISO at SideChannel, to talk about how CISOs can keep delivery velocity while adding the guardrails that actually reduce risk.

Dutch shares real-world lessons from the Cloud Security Alliance’s AI Safety Initiative — where both he and Jo serve as members — and explains how pre-approved AI patterns and identity governance are key to responsible innovation.

“It’s not about slamming on the brakes; it’s about putting up bumpers so you can move fast without ending up in the gutter.”
— Dutch Schwartz

If you’re leading AI adoption inside your organization, this episode breaks down how to build controls that accelerate outcomes, not bureaucracy.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: What ClearTech Loop is and who Dutch Schwartz is
01:27 – Dutch’s background and role at SideChannel
03:13 – The “chaos manager” mindset in cybersecurity
04:13 – What makes the CSA AI Safety Initiative different
05:57 – How early AI adoption mirrors cultural waves
06:37 – The “bumpers, not brakes” analogy explained
08:15 – Why non-human identities will define the next phase of AI governance
10:02 – Translating CSA frameworks into practical, recoverable steps
12:15 – The quick hits CISOs need today
13:18 – Jo’s closing reflections and invitation to continue the conversation

Resources & Links

• CSA AI Safety Initiative: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/ai-safety-initiative
• CSA White Paper: AI Matrix Controls
• Previous Episode: The CSA AI Safety Initiative with George Finney
• Related Read by Dutch: Securing generative AI: Applying relevant security controls

Guest: Dutch Schwartz — VP of Cloud Services and fractional CISO at SideChannel

Host: Jo Peterson — Chief Analyst, ClearTech Research

CTA Footer: ClearTech Loop is where AI, cloud, and security intersect — hosted by Jo Peterson.

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AI is moving fast — and the frameworks to secure it are racing to keep up.

In this episode of ClearTech Loop, Jo Peterson sits down with George Finney, Chief Security Officer for the University of Texas System and Co-Chair of the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) AI Safety Council), to unpack the CSA AI Safety Initiative — a global effort to build practical guardrails for AI adoption.

They cover:

• Why the CSA is leading the charge on AI safety
• How the AI Controls Matrix and “AI firewalls” help organizations evaluate tools responsibly
• What third-party AI risk looks like in the enterprise stack
• Why CISOs must have a voice in shaping AI governance

If you’re a CISO, IT leader, or practitioner navigating the AI wave, this conversation connects the dots between security frameworks and real-world implementation.

Listen now — and find out how the same group that defined cloud security standards is laying the foundation for AI.

Resources Mentioned

• Project Zero Trust — George Finney
• Rise of the Machines: A Project Zero Trust Story — George Finney
  Also available as an audiobook on Amazon and Audible, narrated by Daniel Thomas May — best known for his role in The Walking Dead.
• Cloud Security Alliance – AI Safety Initiative
• CSA AI Controls Matrix

About ClearTech Loop

ClearTech Loop brings together the voices shaping what’s next in cloud, AI, and cybersecurity. Hosted by Jo Peterson, Chief Analyst at ClearTech Research, each episode delivers real conversations with practitioners who are redefining the technology landscape.

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