Assigning AI Decision Rights
Assign AI decisions to the lowest competent level while centralizing enterprise architecture, risk boundaries, and capital tradeoffs.
Separate types of decisions
Distinguish strategy, portfolio allocation, architecture standards, risk policy, product decisions, workflow design, and day-to-day exceptions. Each category requires different context and should not default to one committee.
Match authority and accountability
The owner of an outcome needs authority over the work and resources required to deliver it. Central teams should provide platforms, standards, and challenge, not absorb accountability from operating leaders.
Define escalation paths
Specify thresholds for security, legal, customer, financial, and reputational consequence. Escalation should be fast, evidence-based, and reserved for decisions that exceed the local owner’s mandate.
Common Mistakes
- Centralizing all AI work
- Confusing technical ownership with business accountability
- Creating approval layers without response times
Market Signals
- Every decision waits for a central committee
- Business owners can disclaim AI outcomes
- Teams discover escalation rules during incidents