Our board doesn't get AI

Common questions from Lincoln leaders

How common is this pattern?

Very. McKinsey 2025 found only 17% of organizations report direct board responsibility for AI governance vs. 28% CEO-level. AI moved fast; board agendas didn't.

Should we just educate the board?

Not as a tutorial. Educating on AI as a topic ('what's an LLM') is the wrong framing. Right framing: AI governance is a strategy decision about how this organization will work in three years.

How do we bring the board in?

Add AI strategy to the regular cadence. Bring board-level strategy documents focused on outcomes and risk. Leadership commits; board oversees.

What if our board is risk-averse?

Risk-aversion is appropriate. Give them a risk-management framework that lets them say yes with appropriate guardrails.

Do we need a board AI committee?

Not necessarily separate, but oversight should sit in the governance structure — usually audit or risk committee. Cadence matters more than committee structure.

What does board-level AI governance look like in practice?

Adopted strategy refreshed annually, adopted use policy reviewed quarterly, standing reports, named board accountability, AI risk discussed alongside other major risks.