Transparency, Governance & Trust in the Digital Age | DisrupTV Ep. 40
In DisrupTV Ep. 40, hosts R “Ray” Wang and Vala Afshar discuss issues of transparency, governance, and trust with three experts:
- Alex Howard, Senior Analyst at the Sunlight Foundation
- Dr. Janice Presser, CEO of the Gabriel Institute
- Alan Lepofsky, VP & Principal Analyst at Constellation Research
From applying transparency in public institutions to embedding trust in organizations, the conversation explores how digital systems, policy, and ethics intersect in today’s changing landscape.
Key Takeaways
Digital Transparency Isn’t Automatic
Alex Howard argues that openness in data and government requires proactive design and accountability—not just making data public.
Trust & Governance in Human Systems
Dr. Janice Presser emphasizes the human dimension: institutions must build systems that respect dignity, fairness, and ethical governance when deploying technology.
Bridging Tech and Institutional Design
Alan Lepofsky spotlights how technology must be coupled with institutional governance, frameworks, and continuous auditing to ensure systems remain trustworthy.
The Role of Oversight & Feedback
Across the discussion, the need for oversight, external review, and feedback loops is clear: transparency must be measurable, auditable, and responsive.
Future Challenges in Regulation & Ethics
They explore tensions between innovation and regulation, and how governing bodies, civil society, and tech leaders must co-evolve.
Final Thoughts
This episode underscores that transparency, governance, and trust are central strategic challenges in our digital era. It’s not enough to deploy technology—leaders must embed ethical oversight, public accountability, and human dignity into design and operation.
Alex Howard’s call for designed transparency, Janice Presser’s focus on institutional trust, and Alan Lepofsky’s insistence on governance in tech together illustrate a roadmap: build systems that can be audited, continuously refined, and grounded in shared values.
As complexity and digital reach increase, organizations and institutions that proactively govern with transparency and trust will hold moral and competitive advantage.
Related Episodes to Explore
- Ep. 41 – “Tech, Brand & Data Strategy” — Integrating data, governance, and brand in transformation
- Ep. 42 – “Year-End Recap & Tien Tzuo on Subscription Economy” — How new business models reshape institutional trust
- Ep. 43 – “Storytelling & Marketing Innovation” — Narrative, trust, and public perception as connected domains
