Only 26% of Directors Discuss AI at Every Board Meeting, Global Survey Finds
MWN-AI** Summary
A recent survey by Protiviti and BoardProspects highlights a concerning trend in corporate governance: only 26% of directors discuss artificial intelligence (AI) at every board meeting, despite its pivotal role in driving enterprise strategy and value creation. The findings come from the third annual Global Board Governance Survey, which analyzed input from 772 board members and C-suite executives worldwide. The data shows a stark correlation between regular board engagement with AI and higher returns on investment (ROI). A significant 63% of organizations that reported strong AI ROI have made AI discussions a standard agenda item in all board meetings, in contrast to just 13% of those with low ROI.
Joe Tarantino, president of Protiviti, emphasized that boards effectively positioning AI as a strategic priority can better ensure its responsible integration and management within appropriate governance frameworks. The survey also uncovered critical governance gaps; for instance, 95% of high ROI organizations feel confident in their AI integration, whereas only 33% of low ROI firms share this confidence. Additionally, a striking 93% of AI-mature companies indicate they have responsible AI strategies, compared to just 42% of firms at the lower end of the AI maturity spectrum.
As AI becomes an essential component of competitiveness and value creation, boards are encouraged to treat it as a fundamental agenda item rather than a sporadic topic. The research ultimately suggests that consistent engagement with AI at the board level fosters better governance and sustainable growth, positioning organizations to be proactive rather than reactive in this rapidly evolving landscape.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The findings from the recent Global Board Governance Survey underscore a critical gap in boardroom discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) that could significantly impact organizational success. With only 26% of directors consistently addressing AI at every meeting, companies could be missing substantial opportunities for value creation and competitive advantage. This data reveals a strong correlation between regular AI discussions at the governance level and enhanced returns on investment (ROI). Organizations that prioritize AI on their agenda see 63% of them report high ROI compared to just 13% among those that do not.
The implications for companies, particularly in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, are profound. Directors must recognize AI not merely as a technological tool but as a strategic cornerstone that can shape long-term enterprise value. A proactive approach to AI governance allows boards to instill confidence in integration, as evidenced by the 95% of high ROI firms demonstrating strong capability in this area.
Investors and stakeholders should take note: companies exhibiting low engagement with AI governance risk lagging behind their competitors both in operational efficiency and innovation. Boards should integrate AI discussions continuously to ensure that they strategically navigate risks while maximizing value from AI investments.
As AI matures and is deployed enterprise-wide, boards must evolve from ad-hoc discussions to a systematic oversight model. This evolution necessitates not only a commitment to AI strategy but also transparency in monitoring its ethical deployment and alignment with overarching business objectives.
In summary, investors are advised to seek out firms with robust AI governance practices. Understanding the board's engagement with AI will be vital in assessing a company's potential for sustained growth and innovation in an increasingly competitive landscape.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
Boards that make AI a standing agenda item are significantly more likely to achieve strong returns on investment
MENLO PARK, Calif., March 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial intelligence (AI) is now a core driver of enterprise strategy, risk management and long-term value creation. Yet most boards are not addressing it consistently. According to new global research from Protiviti and BoardProspects, only 26% of corporate boards discuss AI at every board meeting. At the same time, however, organizations that regularly address AI at the board level have realized significantly higher returns compared to those that do not.
The findings come from the third annual Global Board Governance Survey, which surveyed 772 board members and C-suite executives worldwide to assess how boards are overseeing AI strategy, governance and value creation.
Key finding: Board level AI engagement strongly correlates with ROI
The survey shows a clear relationship between how frequently boards discuss AI and the financial value organizations are realizing from these technologies:
- In 63% of organizations reporting high AI ROI, every board meeting agenda includes a discussion on AI.
- By comparison, only 13% of low-ROI organizations report the same level of board engagement with AI.
This gap suggests that regular board oversight of AI is a meaningful differentiator between AI leaders and laggards.
"AI is fundamentally changing how organizations compete and create value," said Joe Tarantino, president and CEO of Protiviti. "Boards that consistently challenge management on strategy, risk, measurement and governance are better positioned to ensure AI delivers value while operating within appropriate guardrails."
Additional findings highlight governance gaps between high and low ROI organizations
Beyond the inclusion of AI on board meeting agendas, the research identifies several areas where AI-mature organizations are ahead of their peers:
- Confidence in AI integration:
95% of high ROI organizations are confident in their ability to integrate AI into operations, compared with 33% of low ROI organizations. - Responsible and ethical AI deployment:
93% of high ROI organizations express confidence in their responsible AI strategy, versus 42% of low ROI organizations. - Strategic use of AI:
Organizations on the lower end of the AI maturity continuum focus primarily on efficiency and cost reduction, while AI-mature organizations extend AI focus to customer experience, innovation, competitive positioning and enterprise wide scale.
Board oversight is becoming a strategic necessity
As AI moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide deployment, the board's role is becoming more consequential—but also can vary significantly based on a number of factors –board composition, committee structure, industry dynamics, organization size, as well as whether management treats AI as a strategic priority.
"There is no single blueprint for board oversight of AI," said Samantha Foley, Chief Operating Officer at BoardProspects. "But when directors engage with AI as a standing strategic priority rather than a periodic check-in, they create the conditions for better governance and sustainable value creation -- positioning their organizations to lead rather than react."
Resources available
The full research report, The Board's AI Moment, from Protiviti and BoardProspects, is available for complimentary download.
Protiviti will also host a global webinar in March 2026, featuring a one hour panel discussion on the survey's findings and their implications for boards and executive leadership. Registration is free.
Methodology
Protiviti and BoardProspects conducted the Global Board Governance Survey in the fourth quarter of 2025. The survey collected responses from 772 board members and C?suite executives globally. For directors serving on multiple boards, responses reflect the largest company on which the director serves.
About Protiviti
Protiviti is a global consulting firm that helps clients transform and protect their businesses and respond to planned and unexpected events. Through a network of more than 90 offices in over 25 countries, Protiviti and its independent and locally owned member firms deliver deep expertise and tailored capabilities across technology, artificial intelligence, data, operations, finance, legal, compliance, HR, marketing, digital, risk, and internal audit—enabling organizations to accelerate innovation, navigate risks and safeguard what matters most.
Named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list since 2015, Protiviti Inc. has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with government agencies and smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public. Protiviti Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI).
About BoardProspects
BoardProspects is an online community equipping modern board members with resources to advance their board careers, and a board recruitment marketplace for public and private companies to find prepared, engaged leaders for their boards. Founded in 2010, BoardProspects' mission is to develop modern directors and build boards that meet the moment of increasing complexity and consequence in corporate governance.
SOURCE Protiviti
FAQ**
What specific strategies can organizations like Robert Half International Inc. (RHI) implement to increase the frequency of AI discussions during board meetings and enhance their overall governance?
How can Robert Half International Inc. (RHI) leverage insights from the survey to improve their AI integration and achieve a stronger return on investment compared to competitors?
In what ways can Robert Half International Inc. (RHI) guide their boards in adopting a more proactive stance on AI, moving from sporadic discussions to consistent strategic prioritization?
What lessons can Robert Half International Inc. (RHI) learn from high ROI organizations regarding responsible AI deployment and governance practices as highlighted in the global survey?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE: RHI).
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