Jan 22, 2026 - Technology

Company boards scramble to adjust to AI

Maria Curi

Illustration of a boardroom table shaped like a speech bubble surrounded by chairs. — Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios

Nonprofit EqualAI is releasing its AI governance playbook during the World Economic Forum to help board directors grapple with the technology.

Why it matters: AI is rapidly reshaping corporate America, and board directors responsible for legal and compliance oversight have little practical guidance.

Driving the news: EqualAI's playbook, shared first with Axios, offers a framework for overseeing AI risk, with four key steps for boards:

Assess where AI is already being deployed in the company.
Structure the board to meet the company's specific oversight needs. For example, if AI is becoming part of a core business line, that might require a dedicated committee or appointing one executive to focus on AI risk.
Implement protocols to identify and mitigate AI risks.
"Empower" teams to leverage and govern AI.

Context: Some of EqualAI's members include Amazon Web Services, Verizon and Walmart.

By the numbers: The playbook cites a 2025 National Association of Corporate Directors survey that shows boards are increasingly prioritizing AI governance.

62% of directors said they dedicate time during full-board discussions to go over AI, up from 28% in 2023.
Another 2025 report from Deloitte shows that 40% of boards are considering changing their composition to adjust for AI.

The bottom line: As AI transforms the economy, boardrooms are rethinking how to meet the moment.

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Company boards scramble to adjust to AI

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