Executive Focus: Introduction to Data Governance in the Age of AI

• As organizations increasingly adopt AI, a well-governed data estate is critically important.
• Poorly managed data can result in significant financial losses, penalties, and embarrassment, as AI can quickly expose management flaws.
• Microsoft is investing in significant new Purview features to help with data governance tasks and control AI’s reach.

Data governance is a broad, complex topic and as AI-based applications are increasingly deployed, one carrying increased urgency for Boards of Directors, executives, and IT leaders. Good data governance ensures that the data on which decisions and reports are made is of the highest quality; that compliance is enforced in laws and corporate policies wherever the data is stored; and that confidential data is properly protected from unauthorized use. Microsoft Purview, originally an umbrella brand for Microsoft 365’s compliance services, has been extended to include a range of data governance services supporting Microsoft 365 and Azure. Purview also can govern certain third-party applications and services in external clouds. Executives should exercise due diligence to determine if it fully meets their needs or if other services are needed in place of or to augment Purview.