The right level of AI governance depends on the organisation and the use case. But every board should be able to find clear answers to a small number of questions.
Checklist
- Do we know where AI is already being used?
- Is each material use linked to a clear business outcome?
- Is there a named executive owner and accountable operational owner?
- Are data, privacy, security and supplier dependencies understood?
- Do staff know what they may use, what they must not use and where to seek help?
- Are high-impact decisions subject to meaningful human review?
- Can customers, staff or affected people challenge a problematic outcome?
- Does the board receive concise reporting on value, risk, incidents and key decisions?
Keep it proportionate
A simple internal productivity tool does not need the same controls as a system influencing recruitment, finance, health, safety or customer eligibility. Good governance differentiates rather than applying a single heavy process to everything.
Start with visibility
Many organisations begin with a policy. The more useful first step is an honest inventory: which tools are in use, by whom, for what purpose and with which data. Governance becomes practical once leadership can see the terrain.