Governance

AI Governance Board

Senior-leader board coordinating AI policy and deployment decisions.

How the laws define this

Both provisions from OMB Memorandum M-25-21: Accelerating Federal Use of AI Through Innovation, Governance, and Public Trust agree that an AI Governance Board serves as an agency-level body responsible for coordinating AI policy and implementation while managing and accepting associated risks. They establish that this entity is designed to bring a cohesive, accountable approach to how an agency deploys artificial intelligence. However, the provisions diverge in their specific scope and stated operational focus. One definition from OMB Memorandum M-25-21 emphasizes the internal composition and compliance links of the board, specifying that it is composed of senior leaders who integrate AI oversight directly with existing enterprise IT, privacy, and civil rights compliance structures. The other definition from OMB Memorandum M-25-21 establishes a targeted regulatory mandate, defining the board as a body required specifically for CFO Act agencies coordinating within the executive branch, while explicitly tasking it with removing barriers to AI adoption alongside its risk management duties.

Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

What it triggers

Under OMB Memorandum M-25-21, CFO Act agencies are to establish an Agency AI Governance Board.source
Under OMB Memorandum M-25-21, the Agency AI Governance Board coordinates AI policy, risk acceptance, deployment decisions, and integrates AI oversight with existing enterprise IT, privacy, and civil rights compliance structures.
Under OMB Memorandum M-25-21, the Agency AI Governance Board removes barriers to AI adoption, manages associated risks, and ensures a cohesive and accountable approach to AI implementation across the agency.source

Definitions (2)

An agency-level governance body composed of senior leaders tasked with coordinating AI policy, risk acceptance, deployment decisions, and integrating AI oversight with existing enterprise IT, privacy, and civil rights compliance structures.

OMB Memorandum M-25-21: Accelerating Federal Use of AI Through Innovation, Governance, and Public TrustDefinition 1 of 2

An Agency AI Governance Board is a body mandated for CFO Act agencies to coordinate the use of AI within the executive branch. Its functions include removing barriers to AI adoption, managing associated risks, and ensuring a cohesive and accountable approach to AI implementation across the agency.

OMB Memorandum M-25-21: Accelerating Federal Use of AI through Innovation, Governance, and Public TrustDefinition 2 of 2

Not to be confused with

AI committee

An AI committee is a general internal governance body overseeing AI use, while an AI Governance Board is a specific senior-leader board mandated for federal agencies under OMB Memorandum M-25-21.

Agency AI Oversight Team

An Agency AI Oversight Team leads and oversees AI efforts at the agency level, whereas the AI Governance Board is a senior-leader body coordinating policy and deployment decisions.

Questions and answers

What is required for an AI Governance Board under OMB M-25-21?

OMB Memorandum M-25-21 directs federal executive agencies, particularly CFO Act agencies, to establish an Agency AI Governance Board composed of senior leaders. The board coordinates AI policy, risk acceptance, deployment decisions, and integrates oversight with IT, privacy, and civil rights structures. It also removes barriers to AI adoption and manages risks.

Which agencies need an AI Governance Board?

CFO Act agencies are to establish an Agency AI Governance Board under OMB Memorandum M-25-21.

What does an AI Governance Board do?

The board coordinates AI policy and deployment decisions, manages risks, removes barriers to AI adoption, and ensures a cohesive approach to AI implementation. It integrates AI oversight with existing compliance structures.