Summit Summary
The 2024 AI Governance Leadership Summit focused on the concept of Minimum Viable Governance (MVG) in the context of artificial intelligence (AI). Bill Franks emphasized the need for a balanced approach that fosters innovation while ensuring ethical standards and safety. Senator Scott Wiener highlighted the importance of proactive risk management and stakeholder engagement in AI regulation. Gaia Bellone discussed the significance of fair and explainable AI systems, stressing the need for collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. The panel of Sumalatha Bachu, Skip McCormick, and Dave Trier discussed the importance of getting started with AI governance now and using the MVG approach to start quickly and scale. The summit concluded with a call for continuous engagement and education in AI governance to adapt to evolving challenges.
Click here to download Bill Frank's Keynote slide deck.
Key Takeaways
Introduction to Minimum Viable Governance (MVG):
- The concept of MVG was emphasized as a balanced approach to implementing AI governance without stifling innovation — the goldilocks of governance.
- It allows enterprises to start with minimal governance and scale it over time as necessary.
Keynote by Bill Franks:
- Discussed the challenges of implementing governance in generative AI, such as managing risks related to non-deterministic outputs and ethical issues.
- Introduced the concept of using a "referee" rather than a "policeman" approach to governance, focusing on enabling innovation while ensuring safety.
Senator Scott Wiener’s Address:
- Highlighted the importance of AI innovation and regulation, balancing the need for technological advancement with safety and ethical considerations.
- Discussed California's leadership role in AI governance through legislation such as SB 1047, which mandates safety evaluations for large AI models.
Fireside Chat with Gaia Bellone:
- Explored the concept of responsible AI and its importance in creating safe and ethical AI systems.
- Emphasized building multidisciplinary teams and clear processes for assessing and managing AI risks.
Panel Discussion:
- Focused on the challenges of implementing AI governance across different industries and the importance of transparency, risk management, and continuous monitoring.
- Discussed practical steps for organizations to take, including building an AI governance framework based on ModelOp's Minimum Viable Governance approach, ensuring stakeholder alignment, and balancing innovation with compliance.
Audience Engagement and Q&A:
- Participants asked questions on topics like explainability of AI models, coordination among different business leaders, and continuous monitoring of AI systems.
- Emphasis on the need for continuous governance and proactive involvement from all stakeholders in managing AI risks.
Important Quotes
"AI governance is a referee, not the police."
– Bill Franks, Director of the Center for Data Science and Analytics at Kennesaw State University
"Responsible AI is the brakes on the Ferrari—it’s critical to effectively driving a high-performance machine."
– Gaia Bellone, Chief Data Scientist, Prudential Financial
"A city without traffic lights is chaos. It's the same with AI and governance"
– Sumalatha Bachu, Senior Director of Technology at FINRA
"Innovation and safety are not mutually exclusive; they go hand in hand."
– Senator Scott Wiener, California — District 11
"Minimum Viable Governance is the Goldilocks of AI Governance: not too much, not too little — just right."
– Dave Trier, VP Product at ModelOp
Summit Sessions
- Keynote on Minimum Viable Governance with Bill Franks, Director of the Center for Data Science and Analytics at Kennesaw State University
- Special Message from California State Senator Scott Wiener on AI Innovation and Regulations
- Fireside Chat: "AI Governance Is Not Optional: Automation, Protecting the Business, and the Keys to Responsible AI Innovation" with Gaia Bellone, Chief Data Scientist at Prudential Financial
- Panel Discussion: "Regulations, Innovation, and Guardrails: Where to Start and How to Scale" featuring Sumalatha Bachu from FINRA, Skip McCormick from Cornerstone Technologies, and Dave Trier from ModelOp