The biggest mistake companies make with AI is waiting. They wait for clarity, for tools to stabilize, for the “right moment.” But AI isn’t slowing down, and the cost of inaction compounds daily.

Every organization—regardless of size or sector—needs a clear approach to AI. That begins with governance. And governance begins with an AI Council.

This isn’t bureaucracy. It’s strategy. A well-designed AI Council aligns technology with business goals, mitigates risk, and accelerates adoption. Here’s the playbook.

1. Create an AI Council

• What it is: A small group tasked with overseeing all AI initiatives.

• What it does: Communicates, coordinates, and governs how AI gets used across the organization.

• Why it matters: Without it, AI adoption splinters into disconnected projects with no alignment to strategy.

Call it a council, a committee, or a task force—the label doesn’t matter. The purpose does.

2. Keep it Small

• Size: Start with 3–6 members.

• Reason: Small enough to move fast and fail fast.

• Risk if larger: Too many people = too many opinions = decision paralysis.

3. Make it Diverse and Cross-Functional

• Include voices from marketing, sales, IT, legal, compliance, and operations.

• Don’t silo AI into IT alone—data shows cross-departmental involvement yields better results.

• Diverse perspectives prevent blind spots and foster innovation.

4. Define Clear Objectives

Your AI Council should have clear responsibilities tied directly to business strategy. At minimum:

• Identify AI Opportunities

  • Assess where AI can add value.

  • Prioritize projects by impact and feasibility.

• Set Strategic Direction

  • Maintain an AI roadmap.

  • Align near-term pilots with long-term goals.

• Establish Governance & Ethics

  • Create policies for responsible use.

  • Monitor for bias, fairness, and compliance.

• Oversee Implementation

  • Guide project teams.

  • Ensure effective integration with existing systems.

• Measure Performance

  • Define KPIs for AI success.

  • Report progress to leadership and stakeholders.

• Promote Continuous Learning

  • Encourage upskilling across the organization.

  • Support experimentation and pilot programs.

Pro Tip: One of the Council’s first tasks should be to draft an AI Charter—a document that defines its purpose, long-term goals, and alignment with business strategy. (See: How to Draft an AI Charter.)

5. Begin, Then Iterate

Your first Council won’t be perfect. That’s the point. Start small, document decisions, pilot projects, and learn as you go.

• Step 1: Form your Council.

• Step 2: Draft your AI Charter.

• Step 3: Write your AI Policy.

• Step 4: Pilot, measure, refine.

Iteration is the path to resilience.

An AI Council Brings Clarity

In the Age of AI, governance is not bureaucracy—it’s strategy. The organizations that create an AI Council now will define the rules of the game. The ones that wait will spend years trying to catch up.

Start small, but start now. Your AI Council is the first step toward becoming an AI-resilient organization.