Conan O’Brien Gets a New Role in the AI Era
Conan O’Brien, Oscars ceremony, March 3, 2025 / Reuters, Carlos Barria
Many companies invest heavily in protecting their systems, but often the weakest link remains the human factor. Cybersecurity training for employees is an essential part of that effort, but it is often seen as boring, technical and detached from everyday reality. Now, cybersecurity company Adaptive Security is trying to change that equation through a surprising collaboration with one of America’s best-known comedians, Conan O’Brien.
The company announced a 15-part educational video series hosted by O’Brien, designed to help its clients and their employees confront modern digital threats such as phishing attacks, AI-based scams and deepfake content. According to the announcement, the videos will combine explanations and instruction with the humor that has become associated with the veteran host. The first promotional clip for the collaboration already includes a typical O’Brien joke, in which he says he took the job only for the money.
Beyond the humor, the move reflects an effort to turn content that is usually considered dry and tiring into something employees will actually want to watch, and perhaps remember afterward. The need for such training is only growing. According to data from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scams on social media caused Americans losses of at least $2.1 billion over the past year. For companies that hold sensitive information or access to significant financial accounts, the risk can be even greater.
At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence tools are making life easier for attackers. Impersonation messages, voice clones and fake content now appear more credible and convincing than ever, making it harder for employees to identify fraud attempts in real time. That is why, alongside technological solutions, organizations continue to invest in raising awareness and educating users. In Adaptive Security’s case, the bet appears to be that if employees enjoy the content, they are more likely to absorb the important messages behind it.
