Sumsub launches podcast series "Trust Forward" exploring trust evolution

LONDON, September 1, 2026, Sumsub, a leading AI-powered trust infrastructure for compliance operations, has launched a new podcast series called "Trust Forward." The six-part series, set to release biweekly starting September 1, aims to explore the complex history and mechanics of human credibility.

Hosted by Mary-Ann Ochota, an anthropologist and broadcaster, "Trust Forward" delves into the evolution of trust from ancient times to the digital age. "Deepfakes and forgeries are just the latest twists on age-old tricks," Ochota said. "The technology changes, but the fundamental human need to trust and be trusted remains constant."

Sumsub created "Trust Forward" to examine the underlying mechanisms of trust and how they have transformed over centuries. "At Sumsub, our work revolves around digital identity and fraud prevention, but trust is a much broader concept, it's the foundation of human society," said Andrew Sever, Co-founder and CEO of Sumsub. "Understanding the historical and cultural context of trust can help us navigate the complexities of the digital age."

Each episode of "Trust Forward" will feature expert analysis from a variety of fields, including history, economics, criminology, and technology. Here's a preview of the upcoming episodes:

1. Episode 1: Money, Seals, and Portable Trust, Tracing the evolution of trust from ancient currency to modern digital transactions, with contributions from Bruce Schneier, a Harvard fellow and cryptographer. 2. Episode 2: Status as a Proxy for Truth, Exploring how social status historically influenced scientific credibility, featuring Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, a pioneering astrophysicist. 3. Episode 3: The Architecture of Synthetic Reputation, Examining classic confidence tricks and fabricated credibility, with insights from Maria Konnikova, a psychologist and New York Times bestselling author. 4. Episode 4: Outlaw Governance and Honor Systems, Investigating pirate codes and self-enforced rules outside formal law, presented by Federico Varese, an Oxford University criminology professor. 5. Episode 5: From Community Gossip to Credit Scores, Detailing the shift from informal reputation to structured financial systems, with Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist. 6. Episode 6: Planetary Scale and Digital Manipulation, Analyzing how ancient merchant guilds have evolved into modern social platforms, with insights from Bruce Schneier, Harvard cryptographer.

The first episode of "Trust Forward" is now available for listening. Fans can tune in on platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castbox, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music.

Sumsub's mission to secure digital identities and prevent fraud is deeply rooted in the broader concept of trust. As Ochota noted, "Understanding the past can guide us in building a more resilient and trustworthy future."

Listeners can access the first episode of "Trust Forward" [here](#).