Vendor assurance

New Diligent Institute / Governance Institute of Australia data shows 61% of Australian boards restrict employee AI use while only 13% have an AI-literate director — proof that restriction and real governance are pulling apart. NIST's expanding AI Risk Management Framework and the EU AI Act's 2 August 2026 third-party accountability deadline show how structured, evidence-based workflows are what actually let AI adoption move faster, safely.

AI risk management is often seen as a defensive exercise, but this mindset limits business value and slows innovation. Leaders must reframe AI risk as a tool to enable success, balancing risk with opportunity through clear ownership, tailored evidence, and ongoing assurance.