Event Moment: Two Pillars Advising’s Diane Gardner Understanding Organizational Structure to Implement an AI Strategy

In this moment, excerpted from the session “Presenting the AI Use Case: How to Speak the Language of the C-Suite and Board of Directors,” Diane Gardner, Independent Advisor, Two Pillars Advising LLC, breaks down the roles and responsibilities of various parties involved in leadership to determine how to form your approach to proposing an AI strategy. 

Key Takeaways

• Organizational structure: The executive team, or C-suite, includes the CEO, CFO, and general counsel. They are responsible for setting and executing the strategy of the company.  They report to the board of directors, whose job is to provide management oversight to that executive team, manage risk, and represent the shareholders’ interests. The business and functional teams are responsible for executing the set strategy on the front lines.
• Overarching responsibility: At each level, each role has a responsibility to manage risk from a different perspective and determine what’s acceptable to get the job done.
• Knowing the company: When presenting to a board or management team, the golden rule is to know who you’re talking to — know the company’s culture, their profile for risk, the goals of the company, and their position on an AI strategy.