The International Risk Podcast
Welcome to The International Risk Podcast — the premier destination for high-level insights into global risk dynamics. Hosted by Dominic Bowen, an accomplished senior advisor, each episode delivers expert analysis and actionable intelligence on today’s most pressing international risks. From geopolitical tensions and economic upheavals to cybersecurity threats and environmental challenges, we bring clarity to the complex risks shaping our world.
Tailored for CEOs, Board Members, senior managers, and risk professionals, our weekly episodes are essential listening for those making strategic decisions in volatile environments. With distinguished guests from diverse sectors and geographies — including renowned industry experts, policymakers, and thought leaders — we provide a multidimensional perspective, equipping you with insights to stay ahead of emerging threats and capitalize on new opportunities.
Our host, Dominic Bowen, is a senior business leader, and Partner at 2Secure where he is Head of Strategic Advisory and leads a team of senior management consultants and advisors.
Join us for engaging, thought-provoking conversations that go beyond the headlines. Stay informed, stay ahead, and transform the way you perceive and manage international risks. The International Risk Podcast is not just a podcast; it’s is crucial listening for today's leaders.
The International Risk Podcast
Episode 251: The Future of National Security and AI From a Military Perspective with Zac Staples
This week Dominic hosts Zac Staples and they dive into how AI-native defence systems are reshaping the battlefield—and why getting this wrong isn’t just bad for business, it’s catastrophic for global stability.
- They discuss the challenges and opportunities AI brings
- What AI's role could be
- How AI can enhance security
- Predictive maintenance and it's strategic importance
- Global security
- Tempest OS
- Nuclear deterrence
- and more!
Zac Staples is a former U.S. Navy officer and the founder and CEO of Fathom5, an industrial defence-technology company headquartered in Austin, Texas. Since 2018 he has led Fathom5 to uninterrupted growth and profitability. Zac and the Fathom5 team are building Brilliant Machines with new actuators, cyber resilient designs, and AI optimization. Among the company’s many accomplishments are the first program of record deployment of AI aboard a Navy warship, 17 fully awarded patents for actuator and cybersecurity technologies, and several examples of accelerating defense innovation.
Before launching Fathom5, Zac served in the U.S. Navy for over two decades. His career of shipboard service culminated in Zac's selection as the Secretary of the Navy’s 2017 “Innovation Catalyst” award winner for pioneering efforts to develop new digital and cyber capabilities. His background steers Fathom5's vision toward tactical edge use cases for defence innovation.
The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.
Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.
The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.
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