While Boards Are Catching Up to AI, the Technology Doesn’t Stop Accelerating

The artificial intelligence boom initially caught corporate boards off guard. Historically not particularly technology-literate, they struggled to define and seize control of the governance challenges bubbling up from below.

By all accounts they have come a long way. “Boards are asking where AI is being used, what risks it introduces, who is accountable, and whether management teams have appropriate oversight and reporting in place,” observes Dylan Sandlin of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).

“As AI implementations have progressed and matured, they are also disclosing AI risks in greater specificity, highlighting particular risks such as cyber threats that could materially affect the business,” says Sandlin, the group’s program manager, digital & cybersecurity content.

In a Wall Street Journal CEO Perspectives piece, Deloitte US Chair Lara Abrash described a higher level of sophistication: “Directors are still focused on controls and compliance. But the conversation is now broader: Can leadership leverage AI to create long-term value? Where could it unlock growth or reshape business models? And does the...