Why Every Board Member Needs to Understand AI — and How to Get Started

Why AI Belongs on the Board Agenda

Source: SwissVR Monitor 2025 (Deloitte)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a topic for innovation labs — it’s now a matter of governance, strategy, and accountability.
Boards are expected to understand not only the opportunities of AI but also its risks, compliance obligations, and ethical implications.

Yet according to the latest Swiss VR Monitor, only 33% of board members consider themselves AI-fit, and just 15% have initiated concrete AI projects. That gap must close quickly - because with the EU AI Act and growing regulatory pressure, oversight duties are expanding.

So where should board members begin?

A Practical Checklist for AI-Ready Boards

1. Understand your responsibilities
Boards have a fiduciary duty to ensure responsible technology use. This includes AI systems — from strategic alignment to compliance with the EU AI Act and national laws.

2. Establish AI as a board-level topic
Don’t delegate AI discussions to IT or innovation teams. Ensure AI appears regularly on the board agenda and is connected to business strategy and risk management.

3. Identify your organisation’s AI maturity
Assess where you stand — from awareness to integration. Our Board AI Maturity Check™ helps determine whether you are an Initiator, Explorer, Integrator or Leader.

4. Define governance and accountability
Create clear policies for AI use, bias checks, data quality and documentation. Governance should be “by design” — not reactive.

5. Invest in board-level AI competence
At least one member of the board (or an external advisor) should hold sufficient AI literacy to interpret, question and challenge management decisions related to AI.

How to Build Your Competence

To support board members on this journey, we’ve developed two programmes at dreamleap:

🔹 Free Webinar: “AI on the Board”

In 45 minutes, you’ll learn the five key questions every board should ask to identify opportunities while avoiding compliance risks.

🔹 Certified AI Board Executive
A half-day or full-day executive training that equips you with practical frameworks, governance checklists and decision templates for responsible AI leadership.
👉 Learn more about the programme at our AI Academy

The Takeaway

AI is changing not just how companies operate — but how they are governed.
Boards that act now will lead responsibly, gain strategic advantage and build trust.
Those that wait risk falling behind in competence, compliance, and credibility.

It’s time for every board to ask: Are we AI-ready?