Artificial intelligence is already affecting areas that fall squarely within a Board’s fiduciary responsibilities: mission, institutional risk, financial sustainability, reputation, the student experience, and the school’s long-term direction. Yet Boards face an unusual governance challenge. Trustees need enough understanding and visibility to exercise meaningful oversight of the school’s AI strategy while avoiding operational decisions about particular tools, vendors, classroom practices, professional development, and implementation. Without a clear framework, Boards can easily end up at one of two extremes: either absent from consequential AI decisions, or too deeply involved in managing them.

ISM’s new AI Governance Framework for Independent School Boards provides a structure for navigating that boundary. Designed as the governance companion to ISM’s existing AI Readiness Framework, it applies the Board’s familiar fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and obedience to mission to the emerging questions created by AI. 

Participants will explore eight governance dimensions, a four-stage rubric, and practical decision-making tools for uncertain times. Together, these give Boards a clear roadmap to oversee risk, resources, and strategy while leaving implementation where it belongs — with the Head of School and administrative team.