Artificial intelligence is transforming cybersecurity at unprecedented speed. From state government to public transit to global business, leaders are confronting new risks while deploying new tools to defend critical systems. This forum examines how AI is changing cyber threats, what organizations can do to stay ahead, and why cybersecurity has become a leadership issue for every sector in Central Ohio.

Featuring:

Kirk Herath, Cybersecurity Strategic Advisor to Governor Mike DeWine and Chair, CyberOhio

Sophia Mohr, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer, COTA

Michael Wyatt, Global Identity Offering Leader, Cyber and Strategic Risk, Deloitte

The host is Padma Sastry, Adjunct Faculty at The Ohio State University College of Engineering.

This forum was sponsored by COTA and Deloitte.

The presenting sponsor of the CMC livestream is The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. CMC's livestream partner is The Columbus Dispatch.

This forum was also supported by Downtown Columbus Inc. and The National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

If you would like to keep exploring this week's forum topic, our partners at The Columbus Metropolitan Library recommend reading "FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI Generated Deceptions," by Perry Carpenter (2025).

This forum was recorded before a live audience at The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus Ohio on February 4, 2026.