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Artificial intelligence is already embedded across modern enterprises, often without the oversight to match. Drawing on more than three decades in enterprise technology, Horstmann argues that governance enables innovation rather than impeding it: “Governance is the foundation that lets you accelerate.” Writing for executives rather than technologists, she examines AI through the operational realities of consumer goods manufacturing, where failures can trigger recalls, regulatory action, supply chain disruptions, and reputational damage. The author’s practical approach is evident from the outset: “You don’t govern AI to slow it down. You govern to scale it.”

Horstmann clearly distinguishes among predictive, generative, and agentic AI, demonstrating why each demands different forms of oversight. Real-world examples, such as Samsung’s ChatGPT data leak, Air Canada’s chatbot liability case, and autonomous trading failures, anchor discussions of accountability, vendor management, cybersecurity, and enterprise risk. Each chapter concludes with practical implementation steps, reinforcing the book’s emphasis on execution over theory. The central message remains compelling: “The organizations that build governance infrastructure now will scale AI with confidence. The organizations that defer governance will manage AI by crisis.” Throughout, Horstmann reminds readers that “You cannot govern what you have not mapped,” emphasizing that effective governance begins with understanding where AI already exists inside the enterprise. Particularly valuable for executives in regulated industries, this is a timely, authoritative playbook that makes a persuasive case for treating AI governance as a strategic business capability rather than a compliance exercise. 

A rigorous, executive-focused guide that belongs on every boardroom bookshelf.

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