Why Governance Is Critical For AI Agent Success
AI agents are taking center stage, but governance will determine their long-term impact and safe adoption across industries.
By Shazia Manus, Chief Data and Analytics Officer for TruStage
As AI agents rapidly democratize—envisioned in scenarios like autonomous medical diagnostics—governance remains an overlooked but critical component. While agents dominate headlines, frameworks ensuring accountability must keep pace with autonomy.
Governance As The Supporting Actor
Workday CEO Carl Eschenbach anticipates AI agents will "peacefully coexist" with humans, but this requires reassurance through standards. Early-adopter firms now set precedents for future governance, balancing business value with risk.
Key Governance Strategies:
- Seize the AI Moment: With enterprise AI spending rising 5.7% in 2025 (ISG Study), governance should be embedded in AI projects from inception.
- Define Permissible Use Cases: Criticality matrices can exclude high-stakes decisions (e.g., end-of-life care) while enabling safe automation (e.g., appointment scheduling).
- Measure Learning: Track experimentation frequency and adaptations. Example: A payments firm tweaked an AI fraud detector after false positives disrupted customer experience.
The Path Forward
Governance ensures AI narratives have "purpose and staying power" by establishing:
- Sustainable funding models
- Intentional use cases with boundaries
- Principled KPIs (e.g., adaptation metrics)
Forbes Technology Council members emphasize that human agency and operational safety must remain central as AI agents evolve.
Related News
Controlling AI Sprawl Requires Unified SDLC Governance
Proper governance of agentic AI systems can transform them into force multipliers while unchecked proliferation poses significant risks.
Five Key Metrics to Ensure AI Agents Operate Safely in UAE
As AI agents drive UAE economic growth businesses must track task outcomes value governance and performance to ensure reliable adoption
About the Author
Michael Rodriguez
AI Technology Journalist
Veteran technology journalist with 12 years of focus on AI industry reporting. Former AI section editor at TechCrunch, now freelance writer contributing in-depth AI industry analysis to renowned media outlets like Wired and The Verge. Has keen insights into AI startups and emerging technology trends.