AI in OT: A Wake Up Call - Ep 177

In this episode, Rob Aragao welcomes back cybersecurity expert and author Michael Echols to unpack the urgent realities behind his new book, AI Chaos.
Michael explains how AI is rapidly entering operational technology (OT) systems—the infrastructure that runs our power grids, water systems, transportation, satellites, and more. But with this transformation comes a critical problem: leaders don’t truly understand where AI is operating, how it behaves, or how to control it.


Together, Rob and Michael explore:

• How AI-driven OT systems are reshaping today’s critical infrastructure threat landscape
• Why future failures may not come from hackers—but from AI-enabled automation that organizations can’t see or shut off
• The hidden vulnerabilities created by interconnected sensors, ML models, and autonomous decision loops
• How organizations should rethink resilience, governance, and risk in an AI-powered world
• Michael’s AIM Frame maturity model and how leaders can assess their readiness for AI incidents
• Practical steps security and technology leaders should take now to map AI usage, increase visibility, and prepare for inevitable model drift or autonomous system failures

If your organization relies on OT, automation, or AI-driven systems, this conversation is a must-listen wake-up call.


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