KnowBe4 to Address AI Trust Issues at Leeds Digital Festival 2026
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, the challenge of determining what organizations can trust amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly pertinent. KnowBe4, a prominent security awareness training and simulation platform, is set to tackle this pressing issue during an exclusive cybersecurity briefing at the Leeds Digital Festival 2026. Scheduled for October 1, the event is titled “CyberSecure Leeds: Who Do You Trust Now? Human Judgement in the Age of AI,” and aims to shed light on the transformative impact of AI in business operations and its implications for security.
As AI continues to infiltrate various business processes, it brings significant changes to the security landscape, raising critical questions regarding identity verification, decision-making protocols, and the necessity for human oversight. The implications of these advancements can significantly affect how organizations operate and respond to security threats.
At the heart of KnowBe4’s initiative will be a unique real-world experiment conducted by Javvad Malik, the company’s lead Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) advisor. Malik’s endeavor began with a seemingly mundane circumstance—a disputed parking ticket. This experiment intends to demonstrate how AI can be utilized to generate authentic-looking documents and establish a credible digital presence, which automated systems subsequently treat as legitimate—all accomplished within a mere 48 hours.
While the initial scenario might appear trivial, KnowBe4 asserts that it highlights a much larger security challenge facing organizations. As businesses increasingly weave AI into their workflows and approval mechanisms, there is a growing risk that these systems might inadvertently guide decisions about authenticity and trust. This situation has become even more critical in a digital economy where automated systems are integral to business operations.
Malik emphasizes the importance of recognizing the implications of this shift. “AI is rapidly becoming part of how organizations decide what is real, what is legitimate, and what should be trusted,” he stated. He further added, “The problem is that AI can be extremely convincing without necessarily being accurate. As organizations grant these systems more weight in business processes, we need to carefully consider how human judgment plays a role and how bad actors might exploit that trust. Our workforce now comprises both people and AI agents, and our security strategies must evolve accordingly.”
Expanding the Definition of Phishing
The briefing will also cover the evolving nature of social engineering attacks in today’s interconnected world. It will explore how malicious actors are leveraging AI-generated content to manipulate users across diverse communication channels. James Dyer, head of threat intelligence at KnowBe4, will provide a comprehensive update on the current phishing landscape. This update will include a focus on the burgeoning phishing-as-a-service model and how attackers are adapting their techniques to circumvent existing security measures.
The session will emphasize that organizations can no longer regard phishing as merely an email security concern. Given that social engineering tactics can traverse various platforms, attackers are increasingly exploiting the trust that employees place in digital communications. By addressing the multifaceted nature of these threats, KnowBe4 aims to equip organizations with the tools and insights necessary to stay one step ahead of emerging risks.
Event Details
The briefing coincides with the observance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month and forms an integral part of the Leeds Digital Festival, which spans from September 21 to October 2, featuring over 200 technology events across the region. The KnowBe4 session is slated to run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the company’s Leeds office. Targeted at Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), IT leaders, security practitioners, and business decision-makers, the event offers a vital opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of AI’s role in cybersecurity.
Though attendance is free, seats are limited to 30, necessitating advance registration through the Leeds Digital Festival’s event program. Interested individuals are encouraged to register promptly via this link: Leeds Digital Festival Event Registration.
As organizations navigate the complexities of incorporating AI into their operational frameworks, events like this one will be crucial in fostering dialogue and knowledge-sharing around trust and security in the digital age. The outcomes of such discussions may pave the way for developing a more secure and robust approach to the challenges posed by AI.