The AI Governance Lead holds ultimate accountability for the organisation’s AI compliance programme. Responsibilities include reviewing and approving the AISDP, signing the Declaration of Conformity, managing relationships with competent authorities, and having the authority to compel remediation, halt deployment, and allocate resources.

The AI Governance Lead is accountable (A in RACI) for risk classification, risk assessment, FRIA, data governance, conformity assessment, PMM operation, serious incident reporting, and break-glass authorisation. The role should be held by a senior leader (CRO, CTO, or Head of AI Governance) with sufficient organisational authority to override commercial pressure when compliance requires it.

For small organisations with five to ten AI systems, the AI Governance Lead may combine with other senior leadership responsibilities. For large enterprises with thirty or more systems, the role leads a dedicated AI Compliance Office reporting to the board or executive committee.

Key outputs

• Ultimate accountability for AI compliance programme
• Declaration of Conformity signatory
• Authority to halt deployment and compel remediation
• RACI “A” across all compliance domains