My Business Life: Lee Bristow, AI author

Lee Bristow, entrepreneur and author of The Human AI Alliance, shares his life and business lessons.

Lee Bristow is a cybersecurity and AI governance expert with a decade of experience in third-party risk management, compliance and information security.

Originally from Cape Town, he now calls Ireland home and is a recent alumni of Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers.

Bristow helps businesses navigate the EU AI Act and support companies to strategically integrate AI with a focus on governance and compliance.

Tell us about your background and the journey that led you to where you are today?

My background is in information security and cybersecurity And I’ve had a primary focus on third-party risk management for about the last decade. Then, about three years ago, I used my grounding in these areas to pivot into AI. That shift coincided with the launch of ChatGPT, which was a pivotal moment in my career. I realised AI would drive the biggest transformation ahead, so I began my research, which eventually led to my book and the creation of two startups, RiskCopilot and Dawn Horizon.

Businesses and organisations face an AI adoption challenge and need strategies to integrate AI effectively, compliantly and ethically.

I provide tools and consultative frameworks to help businesses navigate the EU AI Act and adopt AI responsibly. My solutions support ethical and operational AI adoption, ensuring companies are prepared while saving time and money.

Why are you doing what you’re doing, and what needs are you meeting?

On a broad, philosophical level, I’ve always been interested in exploring how technology can enable and protect people. My background in information security naturally placed me on the protection side of things. AI governance, in particular, interests me because it holds immense potential to improve the way businesses work and enhance people’s lives.

With the work I do, I aim to help businesses thrive with AI, avoiding the dystopian fears of job losses and unchecked AI risks. My goal is to help AI land well for businesses, society and humanity as a whole.

In practical terms, we achieve this through policies, standards, education, AI literacy and compliance frameworks. One of the biggest risks is AI being embedded in products that don’t serve society well. If I can help ensure AI-driven products meet safety and ethical standards, then I know I’m making a meaningful impact.

How was the business started, and what are your growth plans?

The idea for the business emerged from conversations, research and concerns I encountered while writing my book and hosting my podcast. Initially, I set out to create a company that would help businesses implement AI management systems, but I quickly realised that wasn’t the core concern. Most people weren’t thinking about management systems. Instead, they were asking:

• Is AI going to take my job?
• Will AI break my business?
• Will my industry become obsolete?

The business was built to address these real fears.

AI is a global phenomenon, and we aim to service customers wherever they are.

What are your key skills and qualities that set you apart?

I consider myself a generalist, which is unusual in an era of specialisation. In my career, I’ve:

• Launched multiple SaaS products.
• Worked in risk compliance, governance and cybersecurity.
• Operated across diverse industries; namely, technology, corporate distribution, consulting, travel, finance and insurance.

Because of this broad experience, I can step into almost any boardroom or strategy meeting and quickly understand where a product or business needs to pivot. I have a strong understanding of technology implementation, standards and supply chain risks and I’m adaptable across industries.

Who has helped you most along the way? Who would you consider your greatest mentor or inspiration?

I draw inspiration from a range of figures:

• Andrew Carnegie – a pioneer of industry and business transformation.
• Carol Dweck – her work on building a growth mindset has been hugely influential.
• Steve Jobs and Steve Wosniak – for their impact on technology and innovation.

More personally, I’m inspired by entrepreneurs in the trenches, the ones who are grinding it out and pushing forward despite challenges. People like those in my New Frontiers programme, or the Local Enterprise event that launched the pilot entrepreneurship programme with disabilities.  One of the most empowering speakers I have ever heard is David Nestor (Founder of Nestor Freight Services). Born blind, with a clear reality of his disability and a plan to move beyond it, he spoke about his 25-year journey from starting a business to successfully exiting. These are the people who truly inspire me.

What is the biggest challenge in growing the business?

Two primary challenges:

1. Reach – driven by capital or credibility. You either need financial capital or personal brand credibility to expand your audience. Both are essential for scaling, particularly in tech.
2. Keeping pace with change. AI governance sits at the intersection of rapid technological evolution, shifting regulations and geopolitical factors. The challenge is to be a first mover without getting ahead of where the legislation and market adoption are heading.

What is the greatest piece of business advice you’ve ever received?

Two things stand out:

1. Sometimes, the best thing to do is take a break. You don’t need to answer every email or grind through every late-night task. Often, the best ideas come not when you’re forcing them, but when you step away.
2. “It can be hard, but it has to be fun.” I recently heard this from an entrepreneur who built a business over the duration of 25 years. If you’re not having fun, why are you doing it?

What circumstances mark the difference between success and failure in business?

If money and fame weren’t the goal, I’d say peace. What I mean by that is finding the right fit for your business. If your company delivers a great service to customers who truly need and want it, then everything clicks into place.

How did the pandemic shape your approach to business?

My previous business ran through the pandemic, focusing on third-party risk management. What I found fascinating was that, even in the midst of global chaos, businesses were more concerned with compliance than with broader risk management. That insight shaped my pivot towards AI governance and compliance, which is where I now focus.

Are Irish firms utilising technology effectively?

There are pockets of excellence, particularly in universities, start-ups, and innovation hubs like Dogpatch Labs. 

But many Irish businesses aren’t fully leveraging the opportunities for digitisation, whether in sales, accounting or workflow automation. There’s also a cultural gap, where businesses haven’t fully embraced digital transformation as a strategic priority.

If you were to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

I probably wouldn’t have moved to Ireland mid-pandemic to start a risk management business in Europe. That was challenging! I also didn’t fully understand the enterprise ecosystem (LEO, Enterprise Ireland, etc.) early on, so I missed some key opportunities.

If I had a do-over, I’d spend a few years working for an Irish company first to build a local network before launching my own venture.

What advice would you give new hires?

“If you can’t keep up with me, don’t come on board.”

What are your top business book recommendations?

1. Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson
2. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
3. Principles by Ray Dalio
4. 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

What tools or techniques keep you on track?

Recently, I’ve unplugged from excessive productivity hacks. Instead, I focus on:

• 7–8 hours of sleep.
• Good nutrition.
• Regular exercise.
• Hypnosis therapy – which helps me stay centered and present.

Where is technology heading, and how will it impact your business?

AI governance will become a core part of corporate governance, with automated processes handling compliance, risk and decision-making.

The real shift will be how AI integrates into workflows, decision-making, and corporate ethics, changing the nature of white-collar work. My goal is to ensure this transformation happens ethically and responsibly.

What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Study history. Understanding the past gives you a roadmap for the future.

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