In an era when a single data breach can disrupt the lives of countless families and compromise the content they rely on for education, entertainment, and work, the significance of secure innovation has never been greater.
Anand Salodkar, a risk management expert specializing in AI-driven audits, says he begins many of his risk assessment strategies with a question that resonates beyond corporate corridors: “How can we use artificial intelligence to keep pace with rapid innovation without sacrificing trust?” The answer unfolds in his daily work, much of which involves examining new software tools and processes that lie well below the radar of everyday users. “When casual subscribers watch an online video or tune into a web-based show, they might not realize the vast chain of compliance checkpoints, cybersecurity audits, and vendor risk reviews behind that seamless experience,” he shares. These safeguards ensure a digital platform remains reliable enough for millions, possibly billions, of viewers around the world. That global scale is precisely why Anand’s responsibilities extend beyond a single enterprise and into discussions about industry-wide best practices.
Anand’s work helped shape the future of secure technological progress. In his role as Senior Manager of Internal Audit at an internationally acclaimed entertainment-technology organization, he navigates a dynamic landscape where data security and intellectual property protection converge with creative excellence. Simultaneously, he balances this corporate responsibility with his position as Co-Founder and Board Member at a young AI-audit startup, forging paths that could alter how compliance work is performed in the coming years. Through both roles, he is determined to ensure that while technology progresses, the public’s trust remains intact.
His current position involves overseeing complex audits and risk assessments that integrate data security, AI, and cybersecurity. Most professionals in his field focus on more traditional categories, financial processes, regulatory compliance, or operational checks, but Anand adds layers of machine learning oversight to predict vulnerabilities early. He explains, “AI has to be more than just a buzzword. In auditing, it should help us move faster and smarter. It should alert us to hidden risks we can’t see with manual processes alone.” He learned to do this effectively by combining fifteen years of auditing experience with his membership in a respected industry society for visual effects and technology. This unique blend of technical depth and strategic insight allows him to set up robust controls around AI-driven projects, bridging the gap between creative freedom and secure operations.
Within his organization, one hallmark of his work came when a crucial external vendor failed to provide a standard system report before a major financial filing deadline. The entire business, with its reputation built on cutting-edge audio and visual products, risked a costly delay that could shake investor confidence and spark a drop in stock value. Anand spearheaded a rapid risk assessment and control test, working alongside a small team to confirm data integrity. Because of his swift action, the filing met the regulator’s deadline, preventing what internal estimates indicated could have been a 10 to 15 percent drop in market value. The chief financial officer recognized this success with an award, acknowledging that the auditing function Anand leads was not just about ticking boxes, but about protecting critical aspects of the enterprise, finances, investor trust, and market stability.
Yet Anand’s impact is not confined to last-minute interventions. He places a high priority on developing lasting improvements that can survive the relentless pressure of new product launches. One of his most notable achievements is an AI-focused audit framework that aims to identify issues before they become full-blown risks. By pairing sophisticated data analytics with industry-standard compliance checks, he reduced potential vulnerabilities by an estimated 30 percent (based on internal metrics), reinforcing the organization’s ability to keep delivering secure, high-fidelity services. Thanks to these steps, the broader public, everyone from independent filmmakers relying on advanced mixing tools to families simply streaming their favorite show, benefits from a more stable and secure technology ecosystem.
Anand also introduced automation into standard SOX testing using analytics platforms, slashing repetitive tasks and unearthing subtle workflow flaws that conventional methods would often miss. In one example, his approach uncovered inefficiencies in an important enterprise resource platform, saving more than 100 working hours annually and bumping control reliability up by an internal estimate of 30 percent. These may sound like behind-the-scenes numbers, but the real effect translates into saved budgets, safer data practices, and ultimately, fewer headaches for end users. He describes this philosophy as “focusing on practical transformation,” using technology to handle the repetitive parts of compliance so human professionals can exercise deeper judgment and innovation. By doing so, he believes that large organizations can concentrate on creating new listening and viewing experiences, confident that hidden vulnerabilities are under control.
Although Anand has dedicated his career to auditing and risk management, his deeper focus is people and communities. Many of the vulnerabilities he tackles, potential data leaks, unauthorized software usage, or insufficiently screened partnerships, can ultimately lead to a loss of user trust. For a creative brand, trust is everything, especially when entire business lines revolve around delivering high-quality content to millions of users daily. A single oversight can erode a reputation built over decades, and that has immediate consequences for not just the business, but also consumers who rely on these platforms for work, learning, and personal entertainment. By preventing such pitfalls, he helps foster a culture where creativity and advanced technology can thrive together.
He also devotes time to speaking engagements, sharing best practices on AI in audit at various conferences. Although exact figures or endorsements are not always published, these talks reflect growing interest in merging AI techniques with traditional compliance frameworks. Anand’s presentations often emphasize how an automated system can free human minds to think about larger social and ethical considerations, like safeguarding minors from inappropriate content or upholding standards that protect cultural authenticity. Attendees see how risk management can be a gateway to more innovative thinking, rather than a barrier.
Looking ahead, his work in shaping the next generation of audit and compliance may serve as a blueprint for broader trends. As more industries adopt AI, from healthcare to finance, practical frameworks that detect potential abuses or flaws in real time will likely become standard. He aims to keep refining these processes, ensuring they remain user-friendly and transparent. He envisions that, as AI-driven audits mature, organizations will become more collaborative in sharing best practices, with the common goal of maintaining public trust.
This commitment to both current security and future readiness shows that technology’s most vital guardians can be those who quietly ensure that progress never outstrips caution. In reflecting on his ongoing journey, Anand often repeats a simple idea: “If we protect the process, we protect the people.”
