If you’re not doing so already, get HR plugged into all aspects of your AI agent orchestration and governance, including your strategy, COEs, and councils.
Make governance a race to the top, not the bottom
Potential issues related to lack of AI governance are stark. “Left unmanaged, AI agents will create chaos for IT, InfoSec, and data security teams, exposing companies to reputational, financial, and legal risks,” says Barkin. “Every unsanctioned agent deployment becomes a potential policy violation, and every ungoverned interaction poses a risk of AI behaving unpredictably, misaligned with corporate ethics or regulatory expectations. This isn’t a distant threat, it’s an operational minefield already materializing in enterprises pushing AI-first without AI-governed strategies.”
This shouldn’t be simply about compliance either. Organizations should go beyond complying with regulations, such as the EU AI Act, and look to help advance the industry, not just tick a box. “Success will be measured not by how many agents you deploy, but how safely and effectively they deliver outcomes, with compliance and control built in by design, Barkin adds.
