Leandro Galli, Solutions Engineer Director at Confluent, an IBM company, cited research in an Oct. 21 Gulf News commentary indicating that 62% of executives use artificial intelligence to make decisions, raising questions about board oversight.
Galli put the reliability of company information at the center of that concern. He cited a finding that 91% of executives said access to real-time insights would increase their confidence. More information may still mislead if it lacks context or if business systems disagree about what it means, he argued.
He also cited a figure of 70% for leaders who reconsider their own judgment when it conflicts with an AI recommendation. Galli argued that executives risk losing useful debate if they accept a recommendation before testing its assumptions or weighing other options.
Speed helps explain AI’s appeal. Galli said 88% of executives reported that the technology helped them reach decisions sooner. A quick answer can nevertheless rely on incomplete or outdated records, he wrote, so leaders need to assess the information behind it before acting.
Executives should be able to trace the inputs behind a recommendation, spot gaps in the record and understand what caused the system to revise its advice, Galli argued. Those questions are especially relevant when AI moves beyond organizing material or suggesting options to recommending a course of action.
The level of scrutiny should reflect the decision’s consequences, he wrote. Galli contrasted reversible operational changes with decisions affecting jobs, regulatory duties or long-term strategy. For consequential decisions, he argued, boards should decide in advance who makes the final call and what would prompt a fresh review.
