The AI Compass

For years, "human-in-the-loop" (HITL) has been the go-to phrase for reassuring stakeholders about the safety of AI. The concept is simple and comforting: a human is always there, ready to take the wheel. Yet, as organizations deploy increasingly complex AI in high-stakes environments—from medical diagnostics to critical infrastructure—this simplistic model is proving to be a dangerous illusion of control.

In boardrooms and press releases across the globe, the formation of a "Responsible AI Committee" has become a familiar announcement. It’s a public declaration of commitment, intended to signal responsibility and build trust. Yet, by mid-2025, a critical question looms for organisations: Is your committee a genuine force for integrity, or is it merely for show?

For years, the conversation around AI governance has been anchored in obligation. Framed by regulatory deadlines and the fear of penalties, many leaders have come to view it as a cost center—a compliance hurdle to be cleared rather than a strategic opportunity to be seized. In 2025, this defensive posture is no longer tenable. It is now the single most significant inhibitor to realising the full value of artificial intelligence.