Fast Co. “Most Innovative Companies” Vanta: The CLO/CPO Journey w/ Ari Shahdadi

Vanta, a company that helps customers get compliant and build security programs, uses an AI tool to answer security questionnaires. Where humans had once spent hours on the task, the tool completes it quickly and accurately. Vanta’s customers love it.

That’s not to raise the specter of automation stealing human jobs, explains Vanta’s chief legal officer and chief people officer, Ari Shahdadi. “We certainly don’t see this as a thing that’s threatening to anybody or going to replace anybody so much as drive future efficiency and accuracy and how people do their jobs,” he says.

Ari joins host Natalie Pierce and Steve Baglio, both former colleagues from Ari’s earlier role at Gunderson Dettmer, to discuss how technology intersects with people, particularly in the legal HR context. Their conversation covers how small, focused teams can prioritize business outcomes; how in-house professionals must become flexible in today’s fast-paced environment; and how the lawyer is moving away from being an “oracle of knowledge,” as Steve says, to becoming an expert in making good judgment.

“If you can put yourself in a position where you’re able to be flexible and develop other operational skill sets, you can have a role in a company like a chief judgment officer, right? Instead of a chief legal officer,” he suggests.

Episode Highlights

1. Vanta uses a recruiting tool called Ashby but also has a rigorous, structured interview process designed to bring in strong talent and get them productive as soon as possible.
2. Will AI replace lawyers? “I think they’re useful as tools to kind of help you with general tasks, but I am not going to ask one what the law is on something because I might get a wrong answer,” Ari observes.
3. Today’s general counsel is branching into integrative roles within an organization, such as COO or deputy CO, Steve says.   
4. While Vanta isn’t in a highly regulated sector, it has a robust compliance team because, as Ari explains, “if we’re not using our own product, then should our customers?”
5. AI systems excel in areas of subject matter expertise, Ari says – “but they have to be trained properly and designed properly.”
6. The silos around lawyers are breaking down as companies find success by running legal with business development or other functions, Ari says.

💡 Meet Your Host 💡

Name: Natalie Pierce

Organization: Gunderson Dettmer

Connect: LinkedIn

💡 Featured Guests 💡

Name: Ari Shahdadi 

Organization: Vanta 

Connect: LinkedIn | Email

Name: Steven Baglio

Organization: Gunderson Dettmer

Connect: LinkedIn

Contact

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This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as legal advice specific to your circumstances. If you need help with any legal matter, be sure to consult with an attorney regarding your specific needs.