Episode 8: Rules for AI in Organisations

Artificial Intelligence is already being used across organisations, whether leadership teams have formally approved it or not. In this episode, Prof. Chris Bones joins Sir Trevor Phillips to discuss why AI governance has become a boardroom issue, how leaders can establish practical rules for responsible AI use, and why transparency, accountability, and social mobility are critical ingredients for effective leadership in 2026.

Hosts & Guests

Sir Trevor Phillips OBE

Chair

Host

Chris Bones

Guest Speaker

Guest

How to set practical rules for AI in your organisation

What makes a good leader in 2026? According to Prof. Chris Bones, it’s not brilliance — it’s choices.

In this conversation with Sir Trevor Phillips, Chris (Chair of the CIPD and former Head of Henley Business School) argues that organisations are sleepwalking into a new kind of risk: AI is already being used inside your business — even if leadership hasn’t approved it. That makes “use and abuse of AI” a governance issue, not an IT project. His suggestion is simple but powerful: make AI use visible — disclose prompts, show validation, and treat it like any other evidence.

If AI isn’t on your corporate risk register yet, Chris has a blunt view on what that says about your risk appetite.

They also dig into what diversity really means at the top. Chris makes the case that social mobility is often the missing ingredient in boardroom perspective — and that focusing on outcomes achieved (not “activity”) is one of the best ways to spot talent.