Deanna Ray: The Shifting Tides of Corporate AI

Deanna Ray: The Shifting Tides of Corporate AI

In this episode of the Woman Run Podcast, the Meredith Lowry interviews Deanna Ray, the Chief Legal Officer for the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority, to unpack the intersections of local government, vendor negotiations, and the implementation of organizational artificial intelligence policies. Deanna describes her organization as a municipality or government agency that reclaimed used water, treated it, and discharged it back into the Arkansas River, adding that "water wastewater treatment actually is very technology-based." The catalyst for their conversation stems from recent state regulation, specifically Act 848 passed during the 2025 Arkansas legislative session. Deanna explains that under this act, "if you are a government agency that uses any type of AI, then you must have an AI policy." She clarifies that the law defines AI broadly, encompassing everyday features like text autocorrect, spelling tools, and automated note-takers rather than just generative text programs. An essential pillar of Act 848 is ensuring that artificial intelligence does not operate unchecked. Deanna emphasizes that under the law, "you must have a human component to it. You cannot let AI make any decisions... there has to be a human check on any of those decisions." Beyond state compliance, the episode highlights a collaborative, multi-departmental approach involving leadership, human resources, legal, and IT teams to refine these guidelines. A key area of concern is customer and employee data privacy, which Deanna describes as a major responsibility since "we are responsible for shepherding our customers and their information and our employees and their information." The hosts also discuss the practical challenges of software terms of use, noting that platforms like Microsoft Copilot often contain clauses designating the tool "for entertainment purposes only," meaning tech providers carry no liability for professional errors. This lack of vendor liability emphasizes the necessity of internal policies, as Deanna points out that "the AI vendors, they don't care if their stuff is misused because they've already decried all liability." The discussion covers a real-world learning experience where an IT director innocently used an AI note-taker during a Microsoft Teams meeting. This highlighted a massive legal risk, as using automated transcription can inadvertently destroy confidentiality. Deanna warns that if a note-taker records an internal conversation, it can "destroy attorney-client privilege" and create a record that becomes "foiable" under public records requests. This risk is reinforced by a recent ruling from the Southern District of New York. In that case, the government successfully subpoenaed a defendant's search and prompt history from a generative AI platform because information shared with commercial AI platforms lacks confidentiality. The episode addresses other technical shortcomings, such as AI "hallucinations." Deanna mentions that even top legal research databases have faced scrutiny because their specialized research bots were "putting out incorrect summaries of cases." This reinforces why continuous verification remains mandatory, since a language model "is a language prediction tool, and it's trying to give you the next word in the sequence." Ultimately, the episode encourages leaders to proactively engage with these technologies rather than avoiding them. Deanna concludes by urging organizations to adapt continuously, advising managers "to not be afraid of AI" but to "respect it" and commit to ongoing policy reviews as the software evolves.

Navigating the Waters of AI Policy with Deanna Ray

In this trailer, the host Meredith Lowry sits down with Deanna Ray, the Chief Legal Officer for the Little Rock Reclamation Authority, to discuss a rapidly evolving corporate necessity: AI Policy. Triggered by the Arkansas State Legislature’s Act 848, public and government entities are now legally required to establish formalized AI policies if they utilize any form of artificial intelligence. Deanna breaks down the legalities, risks, and essential guardrails organizations must implement to protect themselves, their employees, and their clients in the age of automation. Deanna explains that the state legislature passed Act 848 because "water wastewater treatment actually is very technology-based," requiring a proactive stance on regulation. However, she clarifies that AI is defined broadly under the law, meaning it isn't just about generative platforms. It applies to "any artificial intelligence," which can include text autocorrect, automated note-takers, and spelling or grammar checkers. A critical element of any policy is the absolute requirement for human oversight. Deanna emphasizes that organizations "should not allow your AI technology... to make decisions for your entity without some human oversight". While AI can help narrow down choices or provide data insights, the human component must remain the ultimate decision-maker. The hosts also look closely at data retention, privacy, and the massive risks associated with third-party platforms. They discuss the necessity of having a plan to "scrape back" data and manage offboarding when an employee leaves the company. This ensures that an individual hasn't "put anything out there that could possibly cause security breaches or privacy breaches". Furthermore, they uncover surprising liabilities hidden in standard software terms of use. When discussing popular tools like Microsoft Co-pilot, they reveal a startling clause in the terms of use: "It is for entertainment purposes only". Because of this, the tech companies carry absolutely no liability if an employee makes a mistake based on the platform's outputs. Another major risk involves the threat to confidentiality and attorney-client privilege when using automated AI note-takers. Deanna warns that "the last thing you want to do is destroy your attorney-client privilege because you or your client has used some sort of note-taker via AI". Recent court cases have already shown that if a defendant asks a generative AI program about their legal case before hiring counsel, the government can successfully subpoena those inputs and outputs because they are not deemed privileged or confidential. Finally, the policy must outline strict rules for acceptable use, specifically targeting free versus paid platforms. The hosts remind listeners that if an organization relies on free tools, "you're probably because you're the product". Once data is entered into a free tool, an organization loses "complete control of all of it". To combat these issues and the growing threat of "automation bias," organizations must strictly define who has access to AI and keep critical thinking at the forefront, remembering the age-old tech rule: "Garbage in, garbage out". "We do have to have the policy by law. In 2025, the state legislature passed Act 848, which requires any government or public entity to have an AI policy if they utilize any sort of artificial intelligence." — Deanna Ray "You should not allow your AI technology, whatever version that you use, to make decisions for your entity without some human oversight... Ultimately, you as the human component need to be making decisions." — Deanna Ray "The last thing you want to do is destroy your attorney-client privilege because you or your client has used some sort of note-taker via AI." — Deanna Ray

Mastering Business Communications and Storytelling with Kerri Jackson Case

In this deep-dive episode, Meredith Lowry speaks with Kerri Jackson Case about the evolution of "MarCom" (Marketing and Communications) and the vital role it plays in business. With over 20 years of experience transitioning from TV news reporting to corporate and boutique PR, Kerri explains how strategic communication is built on the foundation of storytelling. The conversation covers the tactical use of press releases in the age of AI, the importance of "plain English" in professional settings, and the personal "plot twists" of being a "whole person"—balancing motherhood, adoption, and entrepreneurship. The conversation explores the definition and necessity of MarCom (Marketing and Communications), which Kerri Jackson Case defines as the strategic act of delivering the right message through the most effective channel to a specific intended audience. A central theme is the importance of storytelling, with Kerri noting that people understand their world through narratives and that businesses must learn to tell stories about themselves that are fundamentally focused on the needs of the customer. The participants discuss the critical timing for engaging a communications professional, advising that they should be "at the table" from the very beginning of a business or project to identify potential barriers and prevent costly public relations blunders. This early involvement is particularly vital when mediating between legal departments and public perception; a communications expert can translate dense legal jargon into "plain English" that satisfies the spirit of the law without alienating or terrifying the audience. The episode also highlights the evolution of tactical tools like the press release, which Kerri defends as a vital instrument for establishing credibility not just with traditional newsrooms, but with search engine algorithms and AI models like ChatGPT. By using a Q&A or FAQ format in their digital infrastructure, businesses can ensure that AI pulls from trusted, authoritative sources when users ask questions about the brand. Finally, the discussion touches on the personal reality of being a "whole person" in the industry, emphasizing the challenges of balancing professional leadership with the unpredictable "plot twists" of family life and motherhood. SheSpeaks Communications https://shespeakscommunications.com/ [https://shespeakscommunications.com/]

Defining MarCom: The Power of Strategic Communications with Kerri Jackson Case

In this episode of the Woman Run Podcast, Meredith sits down with communications expert Kerri Jackson Case to demystify the professional landscape of Marketing and Communications, often referred to as MarCom. Kerri defines the core of communications as the strategic act of delivering the right message through the most effective channel to a specific intended audience. She emphasizes that while businesses often focus on their own internal narratives, effective communication must prioritize the end-user by explaining how a product or service improves their life, safety, or efficiency. A major theme of the discussion is the critical timing of engagement, where Kerri advises business owners to involve communications professionals as early as possible to identify potential barriers or "terrors" before they manifest. This early involvement is particularly useful when bridging the gap between legal departments and public perception, as a communications expert can translate dense legal jargon into plain English that meets the spirit of the law without alienating or terrifying the customer. The conversation also covers the tactical framework of the five W's, noting that the "Where" is dictated by the audience's existing habits—whether they are older demographics reading newspapers or younger generations using YouTube search functions. Kerri offers a robust defense of the traditional press release, arguing that it remains a vital tool not only for reaching newsrooms but also for establishing credibility with search engine algorithms and artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT. Because AI pulls from trusted sources, a formal press release acts as a foundational document that gives a brand more weight in the digital ecosystem than a standard blog post or social media update. Ultimately, Kerri concludes that because humans are fundamentally storytellers, successful branding requires a company to first define its own internal story and then share that narrative in a compelling way that influences external behavior. This episode serves as a guide for leaders to move beyond "Us" focused marketing and embrace a purpose-driven, audience-centric strategy.

Kathleen Lawson: Just Get Started!

Just Get Started—Entrepreneurial Secrets with Kathleen Lawson In this episode of the Woman Run podcast, host Ricky Smith sits down with Kathleen Lawson, the Executive Director of Economics Arkansas, to discuss how entrepreneurial thinking serves as a foundational life skill. Economics Arkansas, a nonprofit established in 1962, defines economics as the "science of decision-making," focusing on how individuals manage scarcity to make better choices as professionals and citizens. The organization provides over 200 workshops annually and offers free resources and stipends to PreK-12 educators across the state to integrate financial literacy into their classrooms. Kathleen’s own venture into business began when she decided to participate in her organization's $10-Challenge, an experiment where individuals invest a small amount of their own money into a micro-business idea. Kathleen practiced this principle by investing $100 into chocolate and supplies to create "cocoa bombs," which she marketed through a single Facebook post under her business name, Sprinkles and Spice. The business grew rapidly, generating over $2,000 in sales in the first month and eventually landing her products in 13 retail stores across Arkansas within a single year. This journey led her to identify five key ways to think like an entrepreneur, starting with the directive to just get startedrather than waiting for a perfect plan. She emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset, noting that she spent hours on YouTube learning specialized skills like cake decorating to meet customer demand. Kathleen also stresses the need to know when to pivot or stop, explaining that she eventually "sunsetted" her business when it no longer aligned with her personal scale and passion, viewing it as a successful chapter rather than a failure. Furthermore, she advises professionals to focus on their unique value by identifying core strengths and delegating or automating tasks that do not add to the primary product. Finally, she encourages others to look for opportunities everywhere, training the brain to see problems as solvable business or mission-driven opportunities. Beyond business strategy, Kathleen maintains her leadership at Economics Arkansas and her family life through intentional habits like explicit scheduling on a calendar and a unique daily "Google Photos" purge to remain proactive and organized. Her story serves as a testament to the power of small experiments in building real-world confidence and professional success. Individuals and teachers interested in these economic tools and competitions, such as the Stock Market Game, can find more information at EconomicsArkansas.org [http://EconomicsArkansas.org].