Four Ways To Turn Control Functions Into AI Accelerators
Too often, AI initiatives hit a wall at the eleventh hour. Business and tech leaders approach their general counsel or chief risk officer requesting approval for an AI use case, only to be met with a reflexive 'no' or a slew of launch-delaying questions.
The problem isn't risk and control leaders themselves—it's when and how they're brought in. If their first touchpoint is final sign-off, they're set up for defensive behavior. They don't have visibility into earlier decisions or the guardrails needed to weigh value and risk. They don't have the tools, time, or incentives to inform strategic initiatives and guide teams to better outcomes.
There's a smarter approach. Reframing the ask—'How can we get to yes?'—reveals a more productive path. With that mindset, organizations can design an AI operating model that acts as an innovation engine rather than a red light.
AI doesn't introduce brand-new risks. But it does magnify existing ones at new speed and scale. Traditional governance models weren't built for the complex questions posed by the technology or the pace of its evolution. In heavily regulated sectors, like financial services, healthcare, and electric utilities, the pressure is even higher.
In my experience working with these companies, I've seen a few common roadblocks:
The result is often a disjointed approach to evaluating, prioritizing, and approving AI use cases. Most legal, risk, and compliance teams aren't resourced, nor incentivized, to participate in every sprint team or stand-up. As such, many still view their role as independent watchdog—they've never been treated as collaborative advisers.
Leaders in AI adoption are flipping the script. Rather than asking for a seal of approval at the end, they're requesting collaboration from the start. I've seen this done in a few different ways:
The best companies don't see risk and control teams as a roadblock. When risk, compliance, and legal functions are empowered as strategic enablers, they won't just ensure safety—they'll help the business scale AI faster, smarter, and more confidently.
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