AI Governance Perception Differences
Illustrative data- Board
- C-suite
- GOVERN
Scores shown on a 0–5 scale.Swipe to explore
The AI Compass© – a pillar of the GOVERN360° Toolkit, developed by experts for experts – gives the board and management an informed, shared reading of how AI and related technologies are overseen in your organisation. It is the first tool built on international standards, including OECD, EU, ISO and IOSCO, developed by senior governance practitioners into a structured, comprehensive proprietary methodology.
A unique feature of the tool is the ability to spotlight differences between and within board and management views, facilitating movement towards a shared vision. The board and C-suite provide their perspectives. Our team analyses strengths and weaknesses, highlighting any oversight gaps that may affect your strategy execution, stakeholder relationships and business continuity, summarised in a prioritised roadmap and action plan.
The challenge
AI governance is among the top 3 oversight risks
Worldwide, AI implementation and its governance have moved to the top of the board and management agendas. As models evolve and embed deeper into operations, effective oversight — exercised by both the board and senior management — has to keep pace.
Top 2 risks
AI and cyber ranked as the top two emerging risks by executives worldwide.
x2
AI adoption by OECD companies more than doubled in the past 2 years.
<1 in 100
organisations worldwide has fully implemented responsible AI practices.
82%
of executives plan to adopt AI agents within 1 to 3 years.
What is at stake
AI integration spotlights particular risks
The ethics of AI model behaviour, the customer experience, data sovereignty and integrity, and the resilience of systems are only some of the emerging challenges. While oversight of AI still tends to remain the responsibility of the technology function, its integration across organisations — from human resources to customer service — implies that its oversight belongs across the board and management.
Ethical AI Governance
Models could drift from corporate values or produce biased outcomes.
Investment Strategy
AI spend misaligned with corporate strategy, with unclear returns or governance.
Human Capital
Competitive dynamics highlight the need for AI competencies across the organisation.
Technology & Infrastructure
Potential data sovereignty, privacy exposures, or increased vendor concentration risk.
Model Risk Management
Risk of deploying models produced without meaningful human decision oversight.
Intellectual Property
Unclear ownership of AI-generated work, and legal exposure over IP and copyright.
Regulatory Risk
Increasing global litigation over AI, with exposures as local regulations take shape.
Continuity & Cybersecurity
Continuity plans without an AI component creating the possibility of external attacks.
Stakeholder Engagement
Trust damaged by AI mistakes during customer interactions with client interfaces.
Accountability & Oversight
Unclear decision rights and fragmented accountability over AI implementation.
The solution
Bringing stakeholders on the same page
AI Compass© brings all relevant stakeholders around the table to examine where AI is deployed within the organisation and how accountability for it is distributed. Whether you are a listed company or a family business, financial or industrial company, the tool can be tailored to your unique parameters including ownership structure, as well as sectoral and regulatory aspects.
Board survey
Our board survey gauges board confidence across all 10 domains, immediately highlighting commonly perceived differences between the Chair, board members and committee members.
Anonymous or attributed
You choose how responses are reported back — anonymised to protect candour or attributed where individual accountability is required. Either way, the results provide a basis for a tangible corporate roadmap.
Management surveys
The tool includes surveys customised to each role, whether the CEO, CTO, CRO, CLO or CHRO, to gauge how well the processes under their oversight are governed. The responses are cross-referenced to other roles for greater accuracy.
Internal or verified
Confidence does not always equal adequate governance. While our customised option adds sector- and jurisdiction-specific questions, our verified option reconciles perceptions with documentary evidence reviewed by our senior practitioners.
The methodology
10 areas of oversight to address all AI-related risks
Built primarily on ISO, OECD, IOSCO and the EU AI Act, the AI Compass spans 10 domains and 33 KPIs, drawing on more than 150 targeted questions across board and management roles.
01
Ethical AI Governance
02
Board Oversight
03
Executive Oversight
04
Investment Strategy
05
Human Capital
06
Stakeholder Engagement
07
Continuity & Cybersecurity
08
Risk Management
09
Model Risk Management
10
Technology & Infrastructure
AI governance dashboards
Connecting the technical and operational pulse with board oversight
Board and management inputs are systematically tracked and analysed for adherence to best practice, tracking specific variances within and between management and board, based on your own perspectives.
AI Governance Maturity Profile Across Domains
Illustrative data- Board
- C-suite
- GOVERN
Scores shown on a 0–5 scale.Swipe to explore
Weighted Domain Alignment
Illustrative data- Board
- C-suite
- GOVERN
Bubble area represents domain weight.Swipe to explore
The execution
An assessment survey, with an independent verification option
The assessment can be structured as a rapid baseline execution, as a customised process (particularly suitable for regulated sectors), or an in-depth, verified engagement with our experts by your side throughout the project.
BASELINE
Level 1
Board and management complete questionnaires, with responses informing a dashboard, report and a roadmap.
Report in ~3 weeks
- Survey-based, board and management in parallel
- Maturity reading across every domain
- Report and roadmap in as little as a month
CUSTOMISED
Level 2
The assessment is tailored to your organisation - additional questions and framing adapted to your size, country and sector.
Report in ~4 weeks
- Inclusion of regulatory requirements
- Customised questionnaires for each role
- A reading that reflects your reality
VERIFIED
Level 3
A customised assessment (level 2), with supporting evidence independently verified by our senior experts to validate findings and identify gaps.
Report in ~6 weeks
- Review of all relevant policies
- The most objective result
- Provides the strongest level of assurance
Govern your AI with 360° confidence
The assessment will result in a comprehensive prioritised roadmap, allowing monitoring by the C-suite and the board. Our experts stand ready to support you in addressing priorities revealed by the assessment exercise. Evaluation process outputs can be used as a basis for governance framework updates, as well as inputs to facilitate board retreats and other specific objectives.
01
AI maturity assessment
with detailed statistical analysis and benchmarking against best practice.
02
A future roadmap
containing concrete, sequenced steps to strengthen governance going forward.
03
A company presentation
delivered by a senior expert team member to the board or the C-suite.
04
Assessment verification
by our senior experts, such that you have full assurance of results and priorities.
Framework
Four tools: one integrated view of governance
The AI Compass© can be combined with other tools of the GOVERN360° Toolkit or implemented on a standalone basis. Collectively, the 4 tools provide boards and executives with a practical reading across shareholder rights, disclosure and transparency, management and board effectiveness, the robustness of the three lines of defence, and emerging areas such as AI and technology governance.
Governance Compass
A detailed outlook on the corporate governance framework, culture, policies and implementation.
AI Compass
A shared reading of how AI and related technologies are overseen in your organisation.
Risk & Resilience Compass
A single, evidence-based view of how risk, cybersecurity, business continuity and compliance are overseen.
Board Effectiveness Compass
A thorough, evidence-based perspective on both board and committee effectiveness.