Alex Levy, CISO at BNSF Railway, on AI Governance and Leading Through Uncertainty

Artificial intelligence is changing the assumptions leaders have traditionally made about technology. Systems that once produced predictable, deterministic outputs can now respond differently to the same inputs, introducing a new level of uncertainty. Alex Levy, CISO at BNSF Railway and winner of the TIME + Commvault CISO of the Year branded recognition, shares his perspective on AI governance and the leadership challenges created by nondeterministic systems. The discussion explores how AI has changed both sides of the technology equation and why governance must evolve to create structure and accountability in an increasingly unpredictable world. The conversation also examines how security leaders can navigate uncertainty, manage evolving risks, and create order in environments where both users and technology contribute to complexity. Learn more about the TIME + Commvault CISO of the Year program: https://www.commvault.com/time-ciso-of-the-year-2026 KEY TAKEAWAYS • AI is changing the predictable, rules-based behavior traditionally associated with technology • AI systems can produce different responses to the same questions or inputs • Users are no longer the only source of uncertainty within the technology equation • AI governance must account for nondeterministic system outputs • Security and technology leaders must create structure in an increasingly unpredictable environment TL;DR Alex Levy, CISO at BNSF Railway and winner of the TIME + Commvault CISO of the Year branded recognition, explains how AI is introducing greater uncertainty into technology and why governance must evolve to manage unpredictable system behavior. WHO IS THIS FOR? • CISO • CIO • Security Leaders • AI Governance Leaders • Technology Executives • Risk and Compliance Leaders • Cybersecurity Practitioners • Business Leaders FAQ Q: How has AI changed the way technology systems behave? A: Alex explains that systems were traditionally deterministic, meaning specific programming produced predictable outputs. AI has introduced greater variability into that equation. Q: What does nondeterministic AI mean? A: Nondeterministic AI can produce different responses or outcomes when given similar inputs, making system behavior less predictable. Q: What challenge does AI create for governance? A: Governance must help organizations manage uncertainty and create structure around technology that may not always produce predictable outcomes. #CISO #AIGovernance #ArtificialIntelligence #Cybersecurity #Leadership #Commvault #TIMECISOAwards