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AI is dominating boardrooms, capturing attention with its promise of speed, efficiency, and innovation, and this surge in AI interest presents a unique and timely opportunity for data governance. Data Governance professionals can harness AI momentum to elevate the role of data governance within our organisations, leverage the widespread enthusiasm for AI, and reframe data governance as the enabler of AI success. We can prove its value in driving business outcomes and innovation and ensure that data governance is recognised as an essential partner in the age of AI.
This article was written by Kirstie McGlone, Data Governance Lead
A Horse in the Boardroom
AI has stormed the gates of organisations across the globe, celebrated as a transformative force, and embraced enthusiastically. Promising rapid advancements in speed, efficiency, and innovation, AI has captured the imagination.
But amid the excitement, many data governance professionals, including myself, feel a sense of trepidation. Questions concerning organisational readiness, data ethics, data quality, allocation of spending, clearly defined success metrics, inputs and outputs, and data governance posture are increasingly relevant both within individual organisations and globally. These concerns merit detailed analysis, and thankfully there are excellent resources available, such as Corinium's research report, The State of Responsible AI: 2021.
Might we reconsider our perspective on the widespread enthusiasm in AI? Whilst it remains vital to maintain ongoing advocacy regarding our concerns about AI, could we, should we, consider that this surge of interest in AI is not only a threat, but an opportunity?
Could AI serve as our Trojan Horse, bringing much-needed attention to data governance?
AI has the potential to draw significant attention to the importance of data governance. This increased awareness could facilitate access to critical resources, strengthen executive support for integrating data governance initiatives, and address the rising demand for comprehensive data management solutions. Whatever your pressing data governance guiding objectives, leverage AI to advance longstanding objectives in data governance. If positioned wisely, this AI Trojan horse could open gates that have held firm for years.
Rebranding Data Governance as AI Enablement
For the first time, we have genuine buy-in at the highest levels. Boards are talking about data. Executives are prioritising it. Budgets are being allocated. This is unprecedented, and it is our chance to reframe data governance as an AI enabler.
This pivotal moment is not about changing the core responsibilities of data governance; instead, it is about reshaping perceptions and increasing its perceived value. And here is the truth: it is our job to change that narrative. For too long, data governance has been underappreciated, we have struggled for prioritisation, funding, and recognition. Even within our own data community, data governance can feel misunderstood. If AI is the golden ticket to change that narrative, why wouldn’t we seize it?
Words matter. Framing matters. ROI matters. Instead of resisting the AI hype, let us leverage it, and reframe data governance initiatives as AI enablement.
For example, data governance can be clearly articulated as the organisational safeguard that addresses AI misinformation and errors. By utilising established data governance procedures, we can mature a culture of careful review, in which AI users are equipped to critically evaluate AI output, differentiate between accuracy and hallucination through validating citations, and use critical thinking when working with AI to reach logical and considered conclusions. There are endless opportunities to rebrand, should we choose to pursue them.
It is not a ploy; it is the truth. Data governance is the foundation that makes AI useful, ethical, and sustainable.
As Tim Goswell, CDMP Master and Data Strategy Lead, wisely said to me last week, “Achieve your end through their ends, what an excellent outcome!”
Rebranding is not new. Look at statistics, once seen as dry and technical, it evolved into data science, a discipline now considered exciting and essential. We do not need a name change, but we do need a mindset shift. Stop apologising for data governance. Start owning its power.
Walking the Talk
If we want to lead, we need to speak the language of AI. Get AI-proficient. Join your organisation’s AI pioneers. Attend conferences. Take courses. Use the terminology. Show how data governance enables innovation.
Let us stop being the quiet achievers and start being the strategic partners. AI is the Trojan Horse, already inside the gates, commanding attention. The question is: will we ride that momentum and steer the conversation, or stand on the sidelines and watch the opportunity gallop away? The horse is here. The gate is open. It is time for data governance to take the reins.
... and if nothing else, we can at least enjoy some fancy AI business lunches.
Kirstie McGlone is a speaker at CDAO Sydney 2026. Interested in learning more about Data? Join us at CDAO Sydney this March!
Also don't miss Data & AI Architecture Sydney and Enterprise AI Sydney, happening in the same space as CDAO Sydney!
Main image credit: Generative AI image prompt: Kirstie McGlone
