I had an interview with Web3 TV host Lisa Amnegard, during Dubai AI Week 2025 at Dubai AI Festival 2025. Here is an article I created with the content of our conversation and the video of the interview attached.
Building Trust in AI: Why Responsible Innovation Matters More Than Ever
The Dubai AI Festival has brought together global thought leaders to explore the future of artificial intelligence. Among the voices shaping this critical conversation is the Managing Director of Nemko Digital, a company at the forefront of AI compliance, trust, and safety. In a recent interview at the event, he shared key insights into why AI governance is no longer a luxury—but a business imperative.
Dubai’s Proactive Approach to AI
Dubai is emerging as one of the top global hubs embracing artificial intelligence not just for its technological capabilities but for its multidimensional approach. Unlike many regions that focus solely on the risks, Dubai emphasizes the opportunities AI presents—while still recognizing the importance of safeguards. This balance of innovation and regulation is exactly what’s needed for sustainable progress.
The Role of Trust in AI Adoption
Trust and compliance are often viewed as burdensome in the innovation space, but Nemko Digital takes a different view. The company is working to reframe governance as a tool for enabling—not stifling—innovation. “Regulations and standards should serve humanity, industries, and societies,” explains the company’s director. “They are not there to stop technology, but to ensure it benefits everyone safely.”
Nemko Digital helps public and private sector organizations build mature, trustworthy AI systems by offering tools like AI maturity frameworks. These frameworks distill global best practices into a model that companies can use to assess and improve their AI operations across key areas like data privacy, cybersecurity, value alignment, and more.
Why Frameworks Matter—Even When They’re Voluntary
While some regulatory frameworks, like the EU’s AI Act, are legally binding, many global AI governance guidelines remain voluntary. So why should companies comply?
“Because the risks of not doing so are far greater,” says Nemko Digital’s director. From reputational damage to legal liability, companies that fail to invest in trustworthy AI face growing risks—especially as AI becomes embedded in every aspect of business and society.
A maturity framework allows companies to identify gaps before they become costly problems. It also enables cross-border alignment, which is essential in a landscape where different countries are developing their own unique standards.
The Business Case for Safe AI
Investing in AI safety and compliance isn’t just about avoiding disaster—it’s also a smart business strategy. Organizations that prioritize trustworthy AI enjoy higher brand credibility, customer loyalty, and smoother market entry.
Failing to invest in safe AI, on the other hand, could mean losing the business entirely. “We’ve seen this before with industries that ignored safety or compliance. In AI, the stakes are even higher because the technology is moving so fast,” he warns.
Comparing AI to past technological revolutions like the rise of Microsoft and Apple, he notes that fear and skepticism often come from a lack of understanding. Just as those companies are now indispensable to global infrastructure, AI will become deeply integrated into every facet of life. The time to ensure it is developed responsibly is now.
The Bottom Line
Safe, trusted AI is not just about ethics—it’s about long-term success. Companies that treat compliance as an enabler, not a barrier, will be better positioned to lead in a rapidly evolving landscape. As AI continues to reshape industries, the message is clear: responsible innovation isn’t optional. It’s the only way forward.
For more information, visit digital.nemko.com or search for “Nemko Digital” on LinkedIn.
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