Leading Across AI Fault Lines with Karen Kornbluh

Artificial intelligence is advancing at dizzying speed. But the hardest questions about AI may not be technical at all. Who should decide what responsible AI looks like? Can we create meaningful AI regulation without stifling innovation? And at a moment of deep distrust in both government and Big Tech, how do leaders build the coalitions needed to move forward?

In this episode of The Space In Between, Leigh Morgan sits down with Ambassador Karen Kornbluh, Senior Advisor for Emerging Technologies at the Milken Institute, to make sense of the fault lines shaping AI policy, governance, innovation, and leadership. Their conversation moves beyond the familiar choice between “let technology run” and “regulate it before it harms us.” Instead, they explore a more demanding space in between: how thoughtful guardrails, public accountability, human agency, and innovation can coexist—and what leaders can do right now rather than waiting for perfect answers.

In This Episode

Karen and Leigh unpack a central tension of the AI era: we need innovation, but we also need institutions capable of protecting the public interest and earning trust. Rather than treating AI as one enormous problem, Karen argues for breaking the challenge into specific, understandable issues—from data rights and accountability to the local impact of data centers—where people can see the stakes and exercise agency.

Their conversation also challenges the assumption that guardrails automatically suppress innovation. Thoughtful rules can shape incentives, clarify responsibility, and help leaders address risk before a crisis forces the issue.

Practices for Leading in AI Times

· Demand more. Ask whether technology, government, and your vendors are actually serving people, organizations, families, and communities.

· Make it tangible. Choose one concrete AI issue rather than trying to solve “AI” as a whole. Look for a decision, cost, risk, or policy you can actually influence.

· Meet people where they are. Use language and forums that make sense to the people you serve—not just to experts inside your institution.

· Find your agency. Pay attention to local and organizational decisions, including data-center impacts, data use, reporting, and accountability, where your voice can affect what happens next.

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