Use Gartner’s BOARD principles (Brief, Open, Accurate, Relevant, Diplomatic) to assure an effective AI presentation.
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Focus board presentations on AI’s strategic impact, not technology
As artificial intelligence reshapes business and redefines competitive advantage, senior executives need to understand the technology of AI but communicate its impact to the board.
The Gartner BOARD principles — Brief, Open, Accurate, Relevant and Diplomatic — offer a proven framework to ensure your AI strategy presentations effectively communicate to the board current issues and opportunities with AI so you can turn strategy into practice and ROI.
Watch this webinar on AI presentations to the board to learn more from me on this growing imperative. And join me live at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo™ conference, where I will be offering guidance on creating high-impact presentations.
AI presentations to the board need the rigor of best practices to be effective
Presenting AI strategy to the board is about translating technology into business impact. Use the Gartner BOARD principles to deliver board presentations that support great strategy and demonstrate your ability to protect and grow shareholder value.
Brief: Focus on what the board wants and needs to know
Board presentations must be concise. Home in on the board’s specific questions — which may differ depending on whether you’re presenting to the full board or a subcommittee.
For the full board, for example, start with questions that matter like: How does AI affect shareholder value, risk and competitive positioning? Do this instead of drilling into the technical details of AI solutions.
Use visuals and frameworks to drive the narrative in your AI presentation. A picture is genuinely worth a thousand words, and frameworks are worth more in board communications. The Gartner Hype Cycle for Generative AI or the AI Opportunity Radar can spur discussion about when you can expect generative AI to deliver measurable business outcomes, for instance.
Open: Clearly connect your AI strategy to organizational goals
Highlight how your approach aligns with the organization’s vision and competitive stance — and balances experimentation and risk taking with strategic planning.
Demonstrate that you have broadly considered your AI use cases and provide real examples to show innovation and alignment with enterprise goals.
When it comes to technology initiatives, present options — from off-the-shelf tools to custom solutions — and explain why these choices fit your business model and enterprise risk appetite.
Accurate: Be honest about your capabilities
Boards value realism. Be transparent about your organization’s AI maturity. Address challenges — skills gaps, data quality, infrastructure — and share your plan to overcome them.
Discuss hiring, training or outsourcing AI talent. Avoid overpromising; accuracy builds trust and supports sustainable progress.
Relevant: Tie your narrative directly to shareholder value
Boards care about revenue, cost and risk. Frame your AI presentation around these priorities, explaining specifics such as:
How AI will impact your shareholders, customers, employees and brand
How it will improve margins, reduce costs or mitigate risk
When you can expect to see productivity improvements
When AI will become a competitive differentiator for your organization
When results will appear in financial statements
Diplomatic: Set and reset expectations thoughtfully
AI is evolving fast. Make sure your AI presentation confidently guides the board through this uncertain environment by discussing how governance and oversight will support the strategy.
Clarify current controls and how they’ll evolve as AI matures. As AI opportunities and risks emerge, be clear about how you will adapt the AI strategy to respond, keep pace or move ahead competitively.
Provide support to nonexecutive directors who show interest in AI, either through training on how they might use AI effectively in their oversight role, or by encouraging them to experiment with AI themselves.
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