Guiding America’s Boardrooms into the Age of AI

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries at an unprecedented pace, the role of corporate boards has never been more critical. That’s why KUNGFU.AI has partnered with the National Association of Corporate Directors® (NACD®)—the nation’s leading authority on boardroom governance with more than 24,000 members—to deliver specialized training sessions equipping directors for this new era of business transformation.

Building on our initial announcement of this partnership, we are proud to share highlights from our latest training series that included insights from over 100 NACD members. These exclusive sessions for NACD members are designed to give board directors not just a primer on emerging AI technologies, but a strategic framework for governance, risk oversight, and long-term value creation.‍

Why Boards Need AI Fluency Now

Boards sit at the intersection of strategy, oversight, and accountability. With AI increasingly driving competitive advantage and organizational change, directors must understand its potential and its risks. From talent and ethics to security and compliance, the questions facing boardrooms are complex. Our training helps directors cut through the hype, understand the implications for governance, and develop the judgement needed to guide their organizations through this transformation.

“AI is not just another technology trend; it’s a systemic shift in how businesses operate,” Stephen Straus, co-founder and CEO of KUNGFU.AI said. “Board directors have a fiduciary duty to ensure their organizations navigate this transformation responsibly and strategically.”

Key Lessons for Directors Navigating AI Transformation

At the heart of these sessions are practical insights directors can immediately apply in their governance role. Key takeaways included:

1. Align AI Strategy with Core Business Priorities‍

Directors should ensure that management’s AI initiatives are not limited to solving today’s problems, but are tightly linked to the company’s strategic vision and future positioning. Boards can guide this by asking how AI investments advance competitive differentiation, strengthen core capabilities, and create sustainable value.
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2. Adapt Governance and Oversight for AI‍

AI doesn’t just expand familiar risk categories — it changes their nature. Third-party dependencies can create vulnerabilities outside management’s control, and competitive dynamics can shift overnight when rivals deploy AI at scale. Traditional IT development and review models, designed for slower cycles of review and control, don’t account for this pace or complexity. Boards need to reevaluate and challenge these approaches, giving management space to adapt while ensuring governance creates the conditions for AI to succeed — not only by mitigating risk, but by enabling long-term value creation.

3. Boards are Uniquely Positioned to Guide Companies Through AI Transformation‍

In an environment full of hype, noise, and pressure to “do AI,” boards play a critical role in ensuring their organizations adopt AI thoughtfully, and in ways that truly position them for long-term success. Below are a few questions that every board should be asking:

• Is our AI strategy aligned with our long-term business goals and competitive positioning?
• Is management building the right foundations—such as data, talent, and governance—for AI to succeed?
• How is the company sequencing AI investments to deliver both near-term benefits and enduring advantages?
  

Looking Ahead: NACD Directors Summit 2025

This October, 1,600 directors and governance leaders will gather near Washington, DC for the NACD Directors Summit^TM—the premier event for board leaders nationwide. As part of NACD’s broader focus on innovation and the technology trajectory shaping corporate oversight, KUNGFU.AI will continue its collaboration with NACD to help boards understand and harness the transformative potential of AI.

KUNGFU.AI is proud to contribute to this dialogue, guiding directors on how to balance innovation with responsibility as AI continues to redefine industries, governance, and long-term value creation. Through ongoing partnership and participation in events like Summit, we’re helping boards move beyond awareness—empowering them to lead confidently in the age of intelligent technology.