From GDPR to GitHub: Steffen Gross on Redefining Data Privacy, AI and GDPR Compliance | The Dev is in the Details #12

The Dev is in the Details

► Can a lawyer become a tech disruptor?

In this episode, we explore the intersection of law, coding, and technology with a deep dive into the future of digital privacy. As AI continues transforming industries, how are privacy laws like GDPR evolving to keep up? How do companies navigate the complexity of compliance in an increasingly tech-driven world?

Steffen Gross, a privacy expert and founder of Simpliant, shares his unique approach to merging legal frameworks with technical solutions. We talk about the challenges of implementing data protection laws in the age of AI, how coding can make legal compliance more efficient, and what trends in privacy and cybersecurity are on the horizon.

Our guest 🌟

Steffen Gross 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffen-gross-028190115/

Privacy lawyer turned coder, Data Protection Officer, and a recognized expert in GDPR compliance and AI.

► In today’s episode:

• How legal expertise shapes the intersection of law and technology, redefining the role of modern lawyers.
• Insights into the transition from legal texts to coding—and the surprising lessons along the way.
• Challenges and misconceptions about GDPR compliance.
• Real-life applications of coding in GDPR compliance and IT security, highlighting how tech-savvy lawyers can make an impact.
• The evolving role of "coding lawyers" in AI, data privacy, and cybersecurity.
• Exciting trends in privacy, digital regulation, and AI—and how to stay ahead in a rapidly advancing field.

► Decoding the timeline:

00:00 Steffen’s journey into coding: What motivated a privacy lawyer to dive into programming?

5:11 What’s the biggest unexpected revelation Steffen discovered about AI technology?

8:22 How Europe is shaping the future of digital privacy with new technologies.

12:00 Misconceptions about GDPR and how it affects businesses today.

16:23 Cookie banners & user experience: Why cookie consent banners are often more hassle than help.

19:19 How legal frameworks are evolving through real-world "beta tests" of new laws and regulations.

24:22 Microsoft vs. Apple strategies: What can we learn from comparing these tech giants' approaches to privacy and data?

27:58 Why building smarter AI systems can be expensive—and what that means for businesses.

31:47 Legal regulations and AI bias: The potential dangers of AI bias in legal contexts and how to address them.

44:03 Evaluation of a creative approach to AI.

48:52 What does the future look like for developers as AI and coding continue to evolve?

***
The Dev is in the Details is a podcast where we talk about technology, business and their impacts on the world around us.

Łukasz Łażewski 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukasz-lazewski/
Write to us 👉 [email protected]

Chapters

1. Steffen’s journey into coding: What motivated a privacy lawyer to dive into programming? (00:00:00)

2. What’s the biggest unexpected revelation Steffen discovered about AI technology? (00:05:28)

3. How Europe is shaping the future of digital privacy with new technologies. (00:08:22)

4. Misconceptions about GDPR and how it affects businesses today. (00:12:00)

5. Cookie banners & user experience: Why cookie consent banners are often more hassle than help. (00:16:23)

6. How legal frameworks are evolving through real-world "beta tests" of new laws and regulations. (00:19:19)

7. Microsoft vs. Apple strategies: What can we learn from comparing these tech giants' approaches to privacy and data? (00:24:22)

8. Why building smarter AI systems can be expensive—and what that means for businesses. (00:27:58)

9. Legal regulations and AI bias: The potential dangers of AI bias in legal contexts and how to address them. (00:31:47)

10. Evaluation of a creative approach to AI. (00:44:03)

11. What does the future look like for developers as AI and coding continue to evolve? (00:48:52)