AI Adoption Surges Ahead of Governance
Recent findings reveal a significant disconnect between the confidence of C-suite executives in AI systems and the levels of governance currently in place. Despite a majority of organizations integrating AI into their initiatives, a troubling gap exists concerning the responsible controls necessary to manage these technologies effectively.
Survey Overview
A comprehensive survey conducted among 975 C-suite leaders across 21 countries in March and April 2025 has shed light on the current state of AI governance. The results indicate that while nearly 72% of firms have incorporated AI into their operations, only a third have implemented adequate responsible controls for their existing AI models.
Current Governance Landscape
The report indicates that although many organizations claim to have principles for responsible AI, they often lack enforcement. On average, companies exhibit strong governance across only three of nine critical areas, which include accountability, compliance, and security.
Disparity in Sentiment
A notable finding from the survey is the disparity between executive and consumer sentiment regarding AI deployment. On average, consumers express twice the level of concern compared to C-suite executives about adherence to responsible AI principles. Specifically, only 14% of CEOs believe that their AI systems comply with relevant regulations, in contrast to 29% of other C-suite leaders.
This concern extends to issues surrounding the accountability of organizations for negative AI use, with 58% of consumers feeling that companies do not hold themselves accountable, compared to only 23% of executives. Similarly, 52% of consumers worry about organizational compliance with AI policies, whereas just 23% of executives share this concern.
Future Adoption of AI Technologies
Despite the existing governance gap, nearly all C-suite respondents anticipate adopting emerging AI technologies within the next year. A striking 76% of executives report currently using or planning to use agentic AI, although only 56% fully understand the associated risks. This gap in understanding is even more pronounced in the use of synthetic data generation tools, where 88% of organizations utilize them, yet only 55% are aware of the related risks.
Closing the Governance Gap
The findings underscore an urgent need to close the governance gap to ensure the successful and sustainable rollout of AI tools. Implementing responsible AI strategies is essential for safeguarding operations and maintaining consumer trust.
In light of the findings, it is crucial for executives to proactively address these governance issues by formulating responsible strategies to mitigate AI risks. Transparency about organizational use and protection of AI technologies is vital for building brand trust among consumers.
