Employees are already using AI tools, whether or not their organization has a policy. That makes governance urgent. Without it, sensitive data can leak into public models, decisions can be made on inaccurate outputs, and bias can creep into processes that affect customers and citizens.
Five guardrails to put in place now
- An acceptable use policy that sets out approved tools and prohibited data.
- An inventory of AI systems in use, including those embedded in vendor products.
- A risk assessment process proportionate to the impact of each use case.
- Human oversight for decisions that materially affect people.
- Training so staff understand both the value and the limits of AI.
Governance as an accelerator
Good governance does not slow innovation. It gives teams the confidence to experiment within clear boundaries and helps leaders prioritise the use cases most likely to create value. International frameworks such as ISO/IEC 42001 and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework offer a strong foundation that can be adapted to local context.
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