Avnet Chief Information Officer Max Chan recently delivered a keynote presentation at the Arizona Technology Council’s 11th Annual Cybersecurity Breakfast Forum, where technology, cybersecurity, business and government leaders gathered to discuss today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Throughout the event, discussions centered on AI, cyber resilience, governance, risk management, and the leadership challenges organizations face as new technologies reshape the way business is conducted. A recurring theme emerged: cybersecurity is no longer just a technology issue. It is a business issue that requires strong governance, clear accountability and thoughtful leadership.
Against that backdrop, Chan’s keynote, Stewardship as a Security Control, explored how organizations can responsibly adopt AI while maintaining governance and accountability. As AI systems become more autonomous and begin taking actions on behalf of people, organizations are increasingly challenged to define ownership, decision-making and responsibility.
Drawing on Avnet’s experience, Chan shared practical insights on AI governance, the rise of AI agents and other non-human identities, and the need to preserve human accountability as automation expands.
The keynote’s central message was simple: AI can augment judgment, but accountability cannot be automated. If AI informs a decision, a human must own the consequence.
As Avnet continues to explore and leverage AI across its business, the company remains committed to balancing innovation with responsible governance, security, and stewardship.
