Janet Johnson 8/7/25 Janet Johnson 8/7/25

The countdown has begun

On August 2, 2026, organizations who sell into the EU or whose AI-enabled products or services are used in the EU must prove they proide AI Literacy education and training to their employees. Fines for those who don’t will follow.

Tricia Blum 8/4/25 Tricia Blum 8/4/25

America’s AI Action Plan: What’s in It, Why It Matters, and Where the Risks Are

This article sets out to inform the reader about the AI Action Plan without opinion or hype. Let’s dig in: On 23 July 2025, the White House released Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan, a 28-page roadmap with more than 90 federal actions grouped under three pillars: Accelerate AI Innovation, Build American AI Infrastructure, and Lead in International AI Diplomacy & Security. The plan rescinds the 2023 AI Bill of Rights, rewrites pieces of the NIST AI Risk-Management Framework, and leans on January’s Executive Order 14179 (“Removing Barriers to American Leadership in AI”). If fully funded and executed, the plan would reshape everything from K-12 procurement rules to the way cities permit data-center construction.

Janet Johnson 7/28/25 Janet Johnson 7/28/25

AI Literacy and AI Readiness - the intersection matters most

As leaders consider how to adopt and scale new AI-enabled solutions, we’re hearing two phrases increasingly surface in strategic conversations: AI literacy and AI readiness. They are related, but not interchangeable, and understanding the distinction (and the magic of the intersection of the two) could determine whether your organization is poised to thrive in an AI-driven landscape.

Dru Martin 7/25/25 Dru Martin 7/25/25

July 2025 Brand Brief – AI in EdTech: “When Governance Gaps Become Brand Risks”

Each month, we spotlight real-world challenges that software creators face when trying to align with school district expectations, data privacy laws, and public trust—because in today’s market, your AI doesn’t just need to work, it needs to pass inspection.

Tricia Blum 7/21/25 Tricia Blum 7/21/25

The First AI Incident in Your Organization Won’t Be a Big One. That’s the Problem.

Your first AI incident won’t be big. But it will be revealing. It will expose the cracks in your processes, the ambiguity in your policies, and the reality of how your team uses AI. If you wait for a significant event before acting, you’ll already be behind. Building responsible AI systems doesn’t start with compliance. It begins with clarity and a willingness to take the first step before the incident occurs.

Tricia Blum 7/14/25 Tricia Blum 7/14/25

“HIPAA doesn’t apply to public schools.” That statement is technically correct, and dangerously misleading.

For years, the education sector has operated on the belief that FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is the only law that matters when it comes to student data. And for much of the traditional classroom environment, that’s true. But the moment health-related services intersect with educational technology—whether through telehealth platforms, mental health apps, or digital IEP tools the ground shifts. Suddenly, the boundary between FERPA and HIPAA isn’t just academic. It’s operational, legal, and reputational.

Tricia Blum 7/8/25 Tricia Blum 7/8/25

Schools Don’t Just Buy Software. They Buy Trust.

The best product doesn’t always win. In fact, in K–12, it often doesn’t. You can have the cleanest UI, the sharpest onboarding flow, and the most impressive AI feature set in your category AND still get dropped in procurement. Not because of price. Not because of a competitor’s edge. But because the District couldn’t say yes with confidence. They couldn’t explain your AI use to their superintendent. They couldn’t get your DPA past legal in under six weeks. They couldn’t bet their district’s reputation on a product that might be compliant. And so, they passed. Not because they didn’t like you but because you didn’t feel safe enough to approve. In K–12, Trust Isn’t the Last Thing. It’s the First.

Dru Martin 7/3/25 Dru Martin 7/3/25

Caught in the Middle: How AI Is Forcing K–12 EdTech Vendors to Scramble

AI is no longer optional for K–12 EdTech vendors. Whether it’s to meet investor expectations, compete in crowded product categories, or add meaningful personalization, AI features are fast becoming table stakes.

Dru Martin 6/25/25 Dru Martin 6/25/25

June 2025 Brand Brief – AI in EdTech: Building Trust, Not Just Tools

This month, we look at how EdTech brands are navigating the complex trust landscape of AI in K–12. From new Department of Education guidance on shared accountability, to school district concerns about equity, reliability, and privacy, the stakes for brand clarity have never been higher. As AI tools become more common in the classroom, branding has a critical role in turning innovation into confidence—for parents, superintendents, and school boards alike.

Tricia Blum 6/25/25 Tricia Blum 6/25/25

Your AI Feature Isn’t the Problem. The Trust Gap Is.

AI is everywhere in EdTech—automated feedback, adaptive learning paths, grading support, and content generation. If you’re building smart, AI-powered tools for K–12, you’re in the right race. But many vendors hit the same wall: enthusiastic interest from district leaders, then a long stall… or silence. The reason? Your product is technically impressive, but governance blind.

Tricia Blum 5/22/25 Tricia Blum 5/22/25

Shadow AI Is Already Happening And It’s a Governance Problem, Not a People Problem

If you think your workforce is calmly waiting for an “official AI rollout,” think again. From sales decks to code snippets, generative tools are already woven into daily workflows—only most of that activity is invisible to leadership.

Tricia Blum 5/21/25 Tricia Blum 5/21/25

From Pilot to Performance: Turning AI Pilot Programs into Scalable Strategy

Discover why most AI pilot programs stall and how governance turns early wins into enterprise value: practical steps, stats, and next actions.

Dru Martin 5/6/25 Dru Martin 5/6/25

Building an AI-Ready Culture: Empowering Your Workforce for Ethical AI Adoption

AI adoption is not just a technological shift; it’s a cultural transformation. The organizations that will thrive in this AI-driven future are those that prepare their people as much as their platforms.

Dru Martin 5/5/25 Dru Martin 5/5/25

AI Compliance in 2025: Navigating the Global Regulatory Landscape

As generative AI continues to reshape industries, governments around the world are racing to establish frameworks that protect citizens, ensure transparency, and manage risk. For business leaders, understanding the evolving global AI regulatory landscape is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Tricia Blum 4/29/25 Tricia Blum 4/29/25

What Is AI Governance Anyway?

AI governance is the set of policies, processes, roles, and guardrails that ensure your organization adopts AI:

Responsibly
Strategically
Aligned with business objectives
In compliance with laws and values

It’s not just about risk mitigation. It’s about decision-making.

Dru Martin 4/23/25 Dru Martin 4/23/25

AI + Brands: April 2025’s Top Stories Shaping the Future of Business

As April 2025 concludes, the intersection of artificial intelligence and brand strategy continues to evolve rapidly. This month, we've observed significant developments where AI is reshaping marketing practices, influencing brand reputations, and prompting discussions on ethical considerations. Below is a curated summary of the top 10 AI and brand-related news stories from April 2025, each accompanied by a brief description and a source link that opens in a new window.

Tricia Blum 4/16/25 Tricia Blum 4/16/25

Who Owns AI in Your Organization? Why a Lack of Ownership Is Slowing You Down

You don’t need to reorganize your entire company. You just need to create clarity about roles, responsibilities, and who’s leading the charge. Explore how AI governance frameworks help leadership teams get aligned without adding more complexity. Someone has to own it. Let’s make sure it’s done right.

Tricia Blum 4/14/25 Tricia Blum 4/14/25

How Can We Automate Repetitive Tasks?

Here’s what typically happens in organizations trying to automate tasks without clear structure:

Someone floats an idea—“let’s automate our customer follow-ups.”
Initial excitement grows.
But soon, debates surface: Which follow-ups exactly? Which tools? Do we buy software or build internally? Who owns this?
Multiple meetings pass, but clarity never comes.
Eventually, everyone quietly moves on to something easier, leaving the idea stuck in limbo.
Sound familiar?

Tricia Blum 4/9/25 Tricia Blum 4/9/25

What AI Tools Should We Use to Improve Efficiency?

You’re not short on AI tool options. You’re short on clarity. If choosing tools to improve efficiency feels overwhelming, unclear, and risky, this blog explores why. And spoiler: it’s not about the tech—it’s about your structure which we at AI Governance Group can provide.

Tricia Blum 4/8/25 Tricia Blum 4/8/25

Why Does Good AI Governance Advice Feel Scarce When You Need It Most?

You want clear guidance on AI—but finding trustworthy advice feels harder than ever.This blog explores why good AI advice is so elusive, and why even the best guidance often fails without internal alignment.