AI Governance Is The Cybersecurity Job Of The Future... Here Is How To Learn It
A Simple Guide To Start Your Path To AI Governance
“The AI Robots are coming for our jobs!”
That is the impression everyone gets whenever a breakthrough in AI happens ( usually every two to three months )
Complaining about AI at this point is futile as it is here whether you like it or not.
The good news ??
Job disruption works both ways, and AI will create massive numbers of new jobs within cybersecurity.
Today, I want to focus on one particular field, which is AI Governance
As AI continues to evolve at a breakneck pace … companies need professionals with governance skills, especially within the risk and cybersecurity industry.
Here’s why AI governance skills are in high demand and how to start learning them.
Why AI Governance Skills Will Be In Demand
1 — AI Regulations Are Here
The launch of the EU AI Act is a major milestone in AI history
The first true AI law is going to set the benchmark for the rest of the world to follow, just like the EU did before with GDPR and data privacy
As AI technologies become more integrated into various sectors, governments across the globe are developing frameworks to ensure these technologies are used ethically and responsibly.
They need professionals who understand these regulations and can implement governance structures to ensure compliance.
This demand for regulatory expertise in AI will only grow as more legislation is introduced, making AI governance a critical skill set for the future!
2 — AI Governance Has a Low Entry Barrier
For the layman, AI can seem intimidating at the start
It seems you cannot do anything in this field without knowing:
Deep Learning
Neural Networks
Programming
Statistics
This is what makes AI Governance such a great career choice .. the low entry barrier.
You only need to have a good understanding of AI fundamentals and AI risks to get started.
Deep-diving into the above concepts is good but not an essential requirement.
AI governance focuses more on understanding regulations, ethical considerations, and risk management.
With the right training, professionals from diverse backgrounds, such as law, business, and compliance, can transition into AI governance roles.
This accessibility makes it attractive for those looking to pivot into AI.
3 — Trustworthy AI Will Be A Major Competitive Advantage
The market is being flooded with AI products, and trust is becoming more and more important
Companies that demonstrate their AI solutions are trustworthy, transparent, and compliant with regulations will have a big competitive advantage.
Customers are also becoming increasingly AI-literate about the ethical implications of AI and prefer to do business with organizations that prioritize responsible AI use.
Professionals skilled in AI governance will be instrumental in building and maintaining this trust, ensuring that AI technologies are effective, ethical, and transparent.
How to Start Learning AI Governance
I hope that convinces you about the
1 — Get The AI Fundamentals Correct
The first step in learning AI governance is developing a solid understanding of AI.
This doesn’t mean you must become an expert programmer or get a PhD in Statistical Models.
Still, you should know how AI works, including machine learning, data science, and common AI applications.
There are a million online resources, courses, and books available that can help you gain this foundational knowledge.
Understanding the technology will enable you to grasp better the regulatory and ethical challenges associated with AI.
I cannot stress this enough .. Do not skip this step
2 — Understand AI Risks and AI Risk Management
AI brings with it a new set of risks that did not exist before
As AI systems become more complex, the risks associated with their use, such as bias, data privacy issues, and unintended consequences, also increase.
Wrong data means AI makes the wrong decisions, leading to real-life impact
No company wants that headline for their AI system!
Learning how to identify, assess, and mitigate these risks is essential for anyone looking to enter the field of AI governance.
A great and completely free resource is the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, which I recommend everyone read.
3 — Get Familiar with AI Regulations
Regulations are boring, but a big part of AI governance
No need to memorize the EU AI Act. Get a good handle on how its risk-based approach works
Understand what the different compliance obligations are and the fines that get imposed
Check out my previous post on this below:
4 — Deep-Dive and Get Certified
AI governance is a relatively new field; thus, few certifications are present.
If you already have certifications like CISM or CRISC, then you have a good foundation on which to build AI governance skills on
I have also heard good things about the “Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional” certification by IAPP and the topics that it covers.
From the website itself:
With the expansion of AI technology, there is a need for professionals in all industries to understand and execute responsible AI governance. The AIGP credential demonstrates that an individual can ensure safety and trust in the development and deployment of ethical AI and ongoing management of AI systems.
I am going to be covering this certification in more detail in the coming weeks and will share my thoughts also
The Way Forward
The rise of AI is unstoppable at this point
While job disruption is a valid concern, the increasing demand for AI governance skills is a promising career path for professionals willing to adapt and learn.
By seeing this opportunity, you can position yourself at the forefront of this emerging field.
Good luck with the amazing career ahead of you!