Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t the future. It’s here.
Indeed, for many regulated firms, generative AI is already becoming the new norm. But allowing employees to use it without some hard and fast rules can expose these organizations to compliance, legal and reputational risks.
An AI governance strategy, however, sets a framework for using AI responsibly while maintaining human oversight, protecting sensitive information and ensuring published content meets the same standards as traditionally created communications.
What Is AI Content Governance?
AI content governance includes the policies, processes and oversight an organization establishes for the use of artificial intelligence in creating, reviewing and publishing content.
Think about the rules your regulated business already has governing social media, cybersecurity and marketing approvals. AI needs similar guardrails. The NIST AI Risk Management Framework, for instance, recommends managing AI risk throughout the technology lifecycle. The same organization’s Generative AI Profile identifies risks specific to generative tools and actions organizations can take to address them.
Why Does AI-Generated Content Create Risk?
Artificial intelligence can produce remarkably polished content. Unfortunately, “polished” doesn’t always mean “accurate,” “compliant” or “appropriate.”
- For financial firms, AI-generated marketing content could introduce misleading claims, unsupported performance statements or language that conflicts with existing compliance requirements.
- Law firms need to consider confidentiality, accuracy and professional responsibility. The ABA’s Formal Opinion 512, for example, makes it crystal clear that lawyers’ existing ethical obligations still apply when they use generative AI.
- Cybersecurity firms face their own concerns, especially when employees enter proprietary, customer or security-sensitive information into third-party AI platforms.
The basic principle is the same across industries: AI can generate your content. But ultimately, your organization remains responsible for what it publishes.
What Should an AI Governance Framework Include?
An effective AI policy framework doesn’t have to start from scratch. It can build on existing marketing, compliance and cybersecurity processes.
Regulated organizations should establish:
- Approved tools and uses. Define which AI platforms employees may use and for what purposes.
- Data safeguards. Establish what client, customer, confidential or proprietary information can never be entered into AI tools.
- Human review. Require qualified people to verify facts, sources, claims and compliance before publication.
- Clear accountability. Identify who owns AI governance and who approves AI-assisted content.
- Documentation. Determine when AI use, source verification, edits and approvals should be recorded.
- Ongoing review. Update policies as technology, regulations and organizational use cases evolve.
Does AI Governance Mean Limiting AI Use?
Nope. Effective AI risk management isn’t about preventing employees from using AI. It’s about giving them a safe, consistent way to use it.
The organizations that establish an AI compliance strategy now can take advantage of AI’s efficiencies without sacrificing the accuracy, credibility and trust their brands depend on.
Mischa Communications helps regulated organizations build smarter content strategies and workflows around emerging technology. If AI has entered your marketing department faster than the policies governing it, we can help you close the gap.
