TLDR: A recent Gartner survey indicates that organizations conducting regular audits and assessments of their AI systems are over three times more likely to realize substantial business value from their generative AI (GenAI) initiatives. The study highlights that robust AI governance practices are crucial not only for risk mitigation and compliance but also for maximizing the economic benefits of GenAI deployments.
A new report from Gartner, Inc., a leading business and technology insights company, underscores the critical role of consistent AI governance in unlocking the full potential of generative AI (GenAI). According to a survey conducted between May and June 2025, organizations that routinely audit and assess the performance and compliance of their AI systems are more than three times as likely to achieve high business value from GenAI compared to those that do not.
The comprehensive survey gathered insights from 360 respondents across various industries, excluding IT software, in North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific. All participating organizations employed at least 250 full-time staff, providing a broad perspective on enterprise AI adoption and governance practices.
Kjell Carlsson, VP Analyst at Gartner, emphasized the dual benefit of effective AI governance. “AI governance really is a case of doing well by doing good,” Carlsson stated. He elaborated that while some governance practices primarily serve to reduce risk and ensure legal compliance, others are instrumental in directly enhancing the value delivered by GenAI initiatives.
The study identifies five key governance practices that Gartner recommends organizations prioritize to significantly boost their GenAI business value:
1. Regular Assessments of AI Systems: Organizations should establish robust assessment and monitoring processes. Deploying dedicated AI governance platforms can streamline auditing and remediation efforts, ensuring continuous oversight of AI performance and ethical considerations.
2. Customized Guidance and Training for AI Users: Targeted training programs are vital for the success of GenAI initiatives. The survey found that organizations offering persona and role-based guidance are twice as likely to report higher levels of value, while those providing GenAI ethics training are 1.7 times more likely to see increased value.
3. Implementation of AI-Specific Usage Policies: Clear AI policies are essential to both encourage responsible usage and effectively mitigate major areas of risk associated with GenAI deployments.
4. Investment in Governance Features and Products: Leaders are urged to advocate for increased investment in governance capabilities for their AI tools and systems. The research indicates that organizations investing in third-party AI governance products are 1.9 times more likely to achieve higher levels of value.
5. Safe Expansion of GenAI Rollouts: While initially limiting GenAI to low-risk and trusted users is a common and necessary practice, organizations that can safely expand their GenAI deployments beyond these initial users are 3.3 times more likely to report higher levels of GenAI value. This suggests that a strategic, controlled expansion can yield significant returns.
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- NSW Audit Office Urges Agencies to Develop Tailored AI Governance Policies
These findings highlight that a proactive and structured approach to AI governance is not merely a regulatory burden but a strategic imperative for organizations aiming to maximize their return on investment in generative AI technologies.
