SAS has introduced the AI Governance Map and an online assessment intended to help organisations evaluate and improve the maturity of their artificial intelligence governance processes.
The AI Governance Map is designed to support businesses in identifying their current status in the areas of oversight, compliance, operations and culture related to AI governance. SAS states that the map and assessment generate tailored reports and recommendations to guide organisations through the necessary steps for robust AI governance.
The new resources are part of SAS's growing portfolio of AI governance offerings. These solutions are intended to integrate with existing technology investments and cover the full AI governance life cycle, from data governance and model monitoring to regulatory compliance management.
Reggie Townsend, Vice President, SAS Data Ethics Practice, said: "We take a pragmatic approach to AI governance, recognising that different organisations are at varying points in their AI governance efforts. Instead of ripping and replacing something that's working well, we can fill in the gaps to provide a more comprehensive AI governance system that strengthens trust in AI-driven decisions, simplifies operations and future-proofs AI strategies."
SAS's governance capabilities have received recognition from several industry analysts. Chartis named SAS a category leader in its RiskTech Quadrant for Model Risk Management Solutions report for the eleventh consecutive year. The report noted SAS's "forward-thinking approach to managing models across traditional and emerging domains," and highlighted the company's "advanced capabilities in ModelOps, SecurityOps, DevOps, orchestration and big data management." Chartis emphasised that SAS's market potential is "further amplified by its ability to offer end-to-end solutions. These solutions cover the life cycle, from initial development to ongoing validation, and align with existing infrastructures."
Within highly regulated sectors, organisations may already have established compliance measures but encounter additional needs when implementing AI systems. To address these needs, SAS provides an AI governance solution for banking, underpinned by SAS Model Risk Management. The company also indicated that further industry solutions are in development.
SAS plans to launch a comprehensive AI governance solution capable of aggregating, orchestrating and monitoring AI systems, models and agents. The forthcoming product is intended to align AI workflows with organisational policies and to support both executive roles and data scientists by improving operational efficiency and helping organisations navigate the complexities of AI adoption.
The process of plotting an AI governance journey with SAS typically begins with an online assessment. This assessment identifies where an organisation stands on the governance path and delivers a bespoke report with action plans tailored to the organisation's unique situation. The report also provides benchmarking information, comparing the organisation's performance in key domains to industry peers.
Steven Tiell, SAS Global Head of AI Governance Advisory, said: "AI governance is not just an exercise in risk management; it's a strategic enabler of faster innovation and helps to ensure that AI is trustworthy. At its core, AI governance should be viewed not just as a protective measure, but as a driver of growth. To forge ahead, organisations need to identify where the real opportunities lie – and understand how they stack up against their peers."
SAS believes that embedding strong governance practices within AI initiatives can serve as a differentiator by fostering long-term trust among consumers, stakeholders and markets. By proactively addressing risks such as bias, fairness and compliance, organisations may also accelerate innovation cycles and reduce operational uncertainty.
The company draws upon decades of experience in data technologies and regulatory navigation, incorporating these insights into the AI Governance Map and assessment. The process provides high-level recommendations, along with detailed reports that include actions tailored to an organisation's maturity in AI governance.
The AI Governance Map forms part of the SAS AI Governance Advisory service, which includes individualised guidance, strategic advice and access to a network of experts. The service begins with a meeting to discuss AI governance in the organisational context and aims to empower clients to build trustworthy and effective AI frameworks.
