David Epperson’s career has been anything but ordinary. After 20 years in the military and another two decades in federal cybersecurity, he transitioned into the private sector, bringing his expertise to H2O.ai, an AI company that emphasizes trust, accuracy, and security.

David shares how H2O.ai differs from traditional AI companies by focusing on open-source AI models, hiring the world’s top data scientists, and ensuring AI is explainable, which is a critical factor for government and enterprise adoption. He discusses the challenge of third-party AI validation, where competitors validate AI models to ensure fairness, accuracy, and transparency.

Transitioning from a structured federal environment to a fast-paced private sector was both exciting and challenging for David. He reflects on the differences in leadership, stability, and decision-making between government agencies and AI startups. He also highlights the importance of corporate culture in cybersecurity, explaining how great companies are defined not just by their products but by how they treat their employees and clients.

Finally, David shares valuable advice for cybersecurity professionals looking to navigate AI-driven security landscapes. He emphasizes that there is no single path to success in cybersecurity and AI, and that curiosity, adaptability, and integrity are key.