New IoD AI Governance Toolkit Launched to help boards and directors assess growing AI risk

The new Institute of Directors Ireland toolkit is a new and innovative suite of resources designed to help boards provide effective insights around AI within their organisations. It comes as Irish business leaders increasingly embrace AI, while new regulatory obligations under the EU AI Act place greater focus on governance, accountability, and responsible use.

While executive management remains responsible for implementing AI policies and operational controls, IoD Ireland has developed the AI Toolkit to ensure directors have clear insight into the frameworks, processes and information required to manage AI responsibly. The toolkit will help boards to ask informed questions, assess organisational readiness and risk, strengthen governance structures, and anticipate future developments in AI.

The IoD event for Independent Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), held in partnership with PwC, will also address how AI has become a strategic priority for organisations, the opportunities it presents, and the governance challenges boards must be prepared to address.
The event will include an address from , who will outline Ireland’s preparations for the supervision and enforcement of the EU AI Act, and preparations for the upcoming AI Summit, a key component of Ireland’s EU Presidency.

Ahead of the IoD Ireland and PwC event, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth, TD said:

“The newly established AI Office of Ireland will act as Ireland’s central authority for the implementation and oversight of the EU AI Act. The Office will coordinate the Act’s implementation across the State, support AI research and innovation, promote the responsible adoption of AI technologies, and help ensure that Ireland’s approach to AI governance remains forward-looking and aligned with emerging developments. While many AI systems used by small businesses may not be classified as high-risk under the EU AI Act, all organisations should begin assessing their use of AI technologies and reviewing their compliance obligations. Taking proactive steps now will help businesses prepare for regulatory requirements and ensure the responsible and trustworthy deployment of AI systems."

A recent IoD member survey highlights the urgency of the issue. Some 61% of organisations say they have already implemented AI to a certain or high degree, while a further 34% are evaluating future use. However, despite increasing pressure for oversight and transparency in the use of emerging technologies, just 48% of boards have discussed AI governance at a formal meeting in the past year. Directors must move swiftly to strengthen their understanding of artificial intelligence as adoption accelerates across Irish business, the Institute of Directors (IoD) Ireland has warned.

Commenting on the launch, Dr Caroline Spillane CDir, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Ireland, said:

“Irish leaders recognise how AI can transform their businesses, but the pace of adoption is outstripping the development of governance, skills, and regulatory preparedness. With more than half of organisations already using AI tools to some degree, boards must now ensure they have the literacy, guardrails, and oversight mechanisms required to deploy AI responsibly. As Ireland prepares for new legislative frameworks in this area, directors have a critical role to play. Strong AI governance is no longer an option - it is central to safeguarding competitiveness, public trust, and organisational resilience.”

She continued:

“Our new AI Governance Toolkit is designed to give IoD members a practical, board-ready resource they can use immediately to strengthen oversight of AI in their organisations. It will help directors ask sharper questions, identify governance blind spots, assess readiness, and build confidence that AI is being adopted in a responsible, strategic and well-governed way.”

The IoD member event will also feature an in-conversation session with Rachel Higham, former Chief Digital and Technology Officer at BT, WPP and Marks & Spencer. The discussion will explore how NEDs can support innovation while maintaining effective control, ensuring AI initiatives are aligned with business strategy, organisational capabilities, and long-term value creation. This special IoD Ireland INED event is being held in partnership with PwC.