Boards don’t fail at AI because of the technology. They fail because directors don’t feel safe asking the “naïve” questions.
In a world where AI dominates headlines, it’s easy for directors to feel left behind, or to think they should already know the answers. The danger is silence. When directors are afraid to admit what they don’t know, boards miss the very questions that matter most.
Psychological safety - the belief that you won’t be embarrassed or penalised for speaking up - isn’t a soft skill here, it’s a governance necessity. We’ve all had that moment in the boardroom when someone says, “This might be a stupid question, but…” and the rest of the room silently exhales, because it’s exactly the question they were too nervous to ask.
In AI, those questions aren’t just valid. They’re vital.
Boards that thrive with AI share two traits:
* They make continuous learning a cultural norm.
* They create safe spaces where no question is too basic to be asked.
This is the most fundamental question of all: can directors ask what they don’t yet know? Without that foundation, the higher-level questions about AI strategy, ethics, and governance simply won’t land.
Boards that embrace this mindset - safe, curious, and committed to learning, will be the ones leading with confidence tomorrow. Approaching AI with a growth mindset, seeing it as a chance to learn rather than a threat to expertise, unlocks its potential. Fear gives way to curiosity. Curiosity sparks questions. And questions open the door to responsible governance.
In my work with boards, the most powerful moments happen when directors stop thinking of AI as an abstract tool for productivity or cost savings and start experiencing what it can do for them. That’s when fear turns into curiosity, and governance starts to move forward.
Geoff Woods makes the same point in The AI-Driven Leader: leaders can’t guide AI effectively until they’ve had first-hand experience with it. Reading about productivity gains is one thing. Using the tools, and discovering what they make possible, is what truly changes how leaders think and lead.
This article looks at the foundational question: can directors feel safe enough to ask what they don’t yet know? Without that, the higher-level questions about AI strategy, ethics, and governance don’t land. I often write about those bigger questions, so if this resonated, check out my other posts for different perspectives on AI governance.
For boards ready to take the next step in understanding AI governance, I offer a range of Director education options - from short ‘AI Essentials’ courses to a deeper AI Masterclass. Delivered in person or over Zoom, they’re designed to give directors the confidence they need to govern and engage with AI responsibly.
BoardLeadership AIGovernance BoardroomCulture ContinuousLearning PsychologicalSafety FutureOfBoards
