Governing the Machine

Responsible AI isn’t just a technical challenge – it’s a leadership imperative. This book offers essential guidance for anyone navigating the promise of deploying AI at scale. Read this book to understand how. -- Reid Hoffman * co-founder of LinkedIn and bestselling author of Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future *
AI’s promise is real, but practical governance is required to earn trust and fulfil that promise. Governing the Machine is a refreshing, timely, and clear-eyed roadmap for leaders determined to scale AI and capitalize on its full potential. -- Arvind Krishna * Chairman and CEO, IBM *
Grounded, up-to-date, thorough, actionable – you could read this book, or you could pay consultants gazillions of dollars to tell you something less useful. -- Stuart Russell OBE * Professor of Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley *
My advice to every business: ensure that you can harness the benefits of AI by proactively considering the important management and governance questions raised in this book. -- James Manyika * Senior Vice President of Technology and Society, Google *
AI is the most anticipated technology of the 21st century – but deploying it is beset by risks and challenges. This highly accessible book is the first clear introduction to AI governance. Written by practitioners with a wealth of experience both of AI itself and of its role in enterprises, it deserves to become the handbook for the field. -- Professor Michael Wooldridge * Ashall Professor of the Foundations of Artificial Intelligence, University of Oxford *
Based on a wealth of practical experience, thoroughly researched and clearly explained, Governing the Machine is an invaluable companion for anyone implementing AI governance. -- Sir Adrian Smith * Director, Alan Turing Institute, 2018-2023 *
An invaluable blueprint for the public sector to use AI safely and build public trust. -- Dr Laura Gilbert CBE * Head of AI for Government, Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford; Senior Director of AI, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change *
We have a responsibility to shape how AI is applied to drive meaningful, sustainable transformation across industries while upholding the public good. This book is an essential guide for doing just that. -- Athina Kanioura * Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, PepsiCo *
The AI era presents organizations with unprecedented opportunities and risks, and Trust will be THE key enabler and differentiator. The authors provide valuable insights and a compelling roadmap to help leaders scale AI for a trusted, successful future. -- Paul Daugherty * former CTIO Accenture, author of Human + Machine *
This book is a brilliant step-by-step guide to developing a strategic and proportionate approach to AI, from governance to implementation, drawing on the authors' extensive hands-on experience. This is an essential guide for all, regardless of where you are in your own AI journey. -- Jane Caskey * Global Head of Risk Advisory and Head of Clients & Sectors, Linklaters *
As AI permeates every aspect of financial management, banks must not just adopt it, but pioneer its responsible deployment, protecting the financial wellbeing of every customer. Failing to do so will harm their most valuable asset: trust. This book is an invaluable guide in navigating that journey. -- Scott Marcar * Chief Information Officer, NatWest Group *
This book is a must-read for anyone deploying AI. It offers a clear, practical roadmap to govern AI systems and avoid harmful outcomes. -- Cathy O’Neil * CEO of ORCAA and author of Weapons of Math Destruction. *
Governing the Machine sidesteps extremism in our tug-of-war over generative and agentic AI. The book presents a practical approach to effective organizational governance of the technologies, where responsible and transparent practices help earn public trust while assuring sustainable innovation over time. I commend the informed guidance for companies large and small. Business leaders, professional technologists, policy experts, and compliance officers will all gain useful insights into the promise and risk of these technologies. -- Elizabeth Denham CBE * former UK Information Commissioner, International Advisor, Data and Tech, Baker McKenzie *
Think of AI like a Formula 1 McLaren – high performance, but it needs a skilled driver, a capable team, strong brakes, and safety systems. The authors provide a step-by-step guide to building safety and control components for AI from the ground-up without sacrificing performance. -- Adrian Joseph OBE * non-executive Director and former Chief Data and AI Officer, BT *
AI governance is where organizational values are realized in action and process. This timely, immensely readable book on the subject orients and entertains. A touchstone for neophytes and experienced practitioners alike, it offers actionable advice grounded in careful research alongside lively illustrations. It will help organizations small and large design and implement an effective program. -- Professor Robert Trager * Director of the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative at the University of Oxford *
A timely and landmark book which fills an urgent gap in the market: filled with practical examples, cutting through the hype, to reveal practical steps for organizations to become AI-ready. -- Manoj Saxena * Chair and CEO, Trustwise; founder Responsible AI Institute *