Singulr AI has appointed Bask Iyer, a former executive at VMware and Dell Technologies, as Strategic Advisor, a move aimed at addressing the growing demand for governance in artificial intelligence within large organizations. The Palo Alto-based firm, which specializes in AI security and governance for enterprise clients, is responding to the accelerated adoption of AI systems and increasing regulatory scrutiny surrounding them.
Iyer brings over 30 years of experience in senior technology roles at global companies, having previously served as Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Transformation Officer at both VMware and Dell Technologies. During his tenure, he oversaw significant IT and digital strategy initiatives, including the Dell-EMC merger and VMware’s transition to cloud services.
His extensive background also includes CIO positions at Juniper Networks, Honeywell, and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. Currently, Iyer holds several board positions and advises various AI and fintech firms. Singulr AI aims to collaborate more closely with CIOs and senior executives as they incorporate AI into their operations, with Iyer’s expertise in large-scale transformations expected to support this strategy.
Shiv Agarwal, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Singulr AI, highlighted that Iyer’s appointment reflects the increasing pressure on enterprises deploying advanced AI tools, including autonomous systems. “Bask has lived and led through some of the largest and most complex enterprise transformations of the past two decades,” Agarwal said. “As agentic AI rapidly moves from experiment to everyday reality, his experience and clear-eyed view on balancing innovation with trust are exactly what enterprises need right now. We’re thrilled to have him advising our team and our customers.”
Agentic AI systems, designed to function with a degree of autonomy, are capable of triggering processes, generating content, and interacting with other tools without constant human oversight. Companies are currently testing such systems across various functions, including customer service, software development, finance, and procurement. This trend raises new oversight and compliance issues for IT, security, and risk management teams.
Iyer emphasized that boards and executives have a limited window to establish controls over AI implementation. He cautioned against unmanaged experimentation, which could proliferate across departments. “We know that there is no point in closing the barn door after the horse has bolted,” he stated. “Now is the time for IT professionals to implement and enable agentic AI in enterprises. Agents are being created for every function with or without the CIO’s approval. It is non-negotiable to have a governance platform like Singulr AI now, before the problem becomes unmanageable.”
Singulr AI provides a governance and security platform tailored for enterprise AI applications, designed to offer IT, security, privacy, and risk teams a unified view of AI projects and data flows. The centerpiece of its offerings, Singulr Pulse, delivers real-time intelligence on AI usage and associated risks. This tool tracks how AI systems manage data and interact with both internal and external services while ensuring compliance with internal policies and emerging regulations.
Regulatory bodies in various markets are intensifying their oversight of AI, focusing on transparency, data protection, bias, and the auditability of automated decision-making. In parallel, large organizations feel compelled to demonstrate how they manage AI-related risks amid complex global operations.
Singulr AI indicated that Iyer will assist clients in establishing early “guardrails” for their AI initiatives. His experience during past technology shifts, particularly in cloud computing and software-as-a-service, equips him with insights into adoption patterns and potential sprawl. Previous transitions revealed challenges with “shadow IT,” where business units adopted tools without centralized oversight. Iyer’s role will extend to mitigating similar risks as employees deploy AI agents and models without formal governance.
His appointment underscores the evolving role of CIOs within broader business strategies, as boards increasingly recognize AI as a fundamental driver of growth and efficiency. Concurrently, CIOs and CISOs are pivotal in discussions about ethical AI usage, data sovereignty, and operational resilience. The emergence of specialized governance platforms addresses this complex mix of demands.
Iyer will participate in a live webinar hosted by Singulr AI titled “The CIO’s AI Playbook: Driving Innovation, Governance, and ROI.” The session aims to cover practical steps for establishing trust and control around autonomous AI agents in extensive environments. Richard Bird, Chief Security Officer at Singulr AI and a recognized figure in AI security and governance, will moderate the event. Additionally, Lonnie Johnson, CIO at KVC Health Systems, will provide insights on aligning AI projects with governance, compliance, and operational resilience standards within the healthcare sector.
The discussion will delve into how platforms like Singulr Pulse enhance oversight of AI-driven data flows and how enterprises can adapt to emergent regulations while managing an expanding ecosystem of AI agents. Iyer will share his insights on responsible AI adoption, addressing CIOs and senior leaders, as well as discussing how governance strategies developed during previous technology transitions can inform current AI implementations.
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