AIGP Study Guide
Module 3: Governance & Risk Management · BoK I.A

Governance structure: build it, then pick a model

Five build principles (leverage existing structures, foster community, clear roles, incentivise responsible AI, evolve the programme), then the three classic models → Centralised governance, Decentralised governance and Hybrid governance.

Structure depends on organisational shape and culture. Five build principles, then the three classic models.

  • Build on existing structures → start slowly and build out → leverage existing security and privacy governance, integrate rather than duplicate, push for company-wide buy-in.
  • Foster a strong community → a community monitors AI development and feeds insight to practitioners and leadership → tailor to culture, engage leadership early.
  • Clear roles & responsibilities → staff understand their role, where to seek assistance and how to contribute to AI product success.
  • Incentivise responsible AI → highlight customer value and trust → define responsible AI as a distinct discipline, engage HR to set success measures and reward practitioners.
  • Evolve the programme → grow gradually from initial stages to fully operational, springboarding off foundations, defined roles and stakeholder engagement.
  • Centralised → one team or person responsible for AI-related affairs → everyone else flows through this point.
  • Decentralised → aka "local governance" → decision-making delegated to lower levels, away from a central authority; fewer tiers, wider span of control, bottom-to-top flow of decisions and ideas.
  • Hybrid → a central entity holds main responsibility while local entities fulfil and support its policies and directives; typical in large organisations.

Key terms - quick answers

What is “Centralised governance”?
One team or person responsible for AI affairs, with everyone flowing through that point.
What is “Decentralised governance”?
'Local governance', decision-making delegated to lower levels with a bottom-to-top flow and wider span of control.
What is “Hybrid governance”?
A central entity holds main responsibility while local entities fulfil and support its policies; typical in large organisations.