#396 The Intersection of AI, Security, and UX: Hubert Behaghel’s Insights on Digital Trust

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we sit down with Hubert Behaghel, CTO of Veriff, to discuss the critical intersection of AI, security, and user experience in the digital age. As the internet continues to evolve, establishing digital trust has become more essential than ever, especially with the rise of identity fraud and impersonation threats. Hubert shares his journey from his early career as a consultant to becoming the CTO of Veriff, a company dedicated to making the internet safer through identity verification solutions. He highlights the challenges of balancing security with a seamless user experience, exploring how Veriff uses AI to enhance trust while combating threats like deepfakes. We also dive into the unique security requirements across industries, from banking to the gig economy, and how Veriff’s solutions help businesses prevent fraud without compromising user convenience. The conversation also touches on leadership, with Hubert offering valuable advice for fellow CTOs and engineering leaders on scaling technology in fast-growing environments. He emphasizes the importance of building a culture that embraces innovation while maintaining accountability as companies transition from startups to scaleups. Whether you’re interested in AI, cybersecurity, or the evolving landscape of digital identity, this episode provides key insights from one of the industry’s leading technology minds. About Hubert: Hubert brings two decades of experience to Veriff from his tenure with industry giants like Amazon, Marks and Spencer, and Sky, where he spearheaded substantial growth in their engineering divisions through the introduction of innovative initiatives and the enhancement of existing ones. As Sky’s Head of Technology, Hubert more than tripled the size of its engineering team. He also played a pivotal role in scaling the Discovery platform to accommodate tens of millions of users worldwide. Likewise, was instrumental in the launch of NBC Universal’s Peacock streaming service.  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaghel/ https://www.veriff.com/ 00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction 01:07 Hubert's Career Journey 02:43 Current Role at Veriff 03:49 Challenges in Identity Verification 08:51 AI and Fraud Prevention 13:21 Balancing Security and User Experience 17:34 Long-term Business Vision 29:15 Leadership and Building Culture 34:49 Advice for Startups Scaling Up 40:33 Shifting Industries and Final Thoughts 44:12 Conclusion and Farewell