Inside the Strategy Room 297. Boards in the age of AI
Apr 2, 2026
Rebecca Schechter, healthcare AI leader and board director; Aamer Baig, McKinsey tech leader advising CEOs on AI strategy; Celia Huber, McKinsey board-governance expert. They discuss boards needing clearer AI oversight and archetypes of board readiness. Topics include AI adoption vs. value, tests for useful AI, privacy and risk foundations, and how boards should align strategy, incentives, and talent for AI-driven change.
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Solve Real Problems Then Scale Carefully
- Focus on problems that matter, validate that AI can actually help, and plan for scalable, non-disruptive deployment.
- Rebecca uses clinician burnout and EHR integration as a concrete three-step checklist that delivered value.
Secure Data And IT Foundations Before AI
- Boards should first ensure core IT and data governance building blocks exist before layering AI oversight.
- Rebecca lists data protection, IT risk, third-party risk, and resilience as prerequisites for safe AI governance.
Boards Often Lack Formal AI Oversight
- Most boards lack explicit AI oversight: under 40% of Fortune 100 disclose AI oversight and one in three directors report AI doesn't appear on their agendas.
- Celia notes board platforms have AI tools but GCs worry about data exposure so uptake is low.
