Risk Obsessed. Future Blind.

Why private boards must shift from defending the past to stewarding the future—starting with AI. Blind.

At a recent leadership meeting of the Private Directors Association, the room turned to me as it usually does when someone mentions artificial intelligence. I’m known there as the AI evangelist. But what struck me wasn’t the recognition—it was the subtle admission that followed: most private company boards aren’t seeking out AI expertise. Not as directors, not as advisors, and not as strategic voices.

That’s a mistake. A costly one.

TL;DR: Private company boards are over-focused on traditional risks and underprepared for the disruptive force of AI. While generative AI is already transforming marketing, IT, and business operations, most boards lack the expertise or urgency to govern it strategically. This article argues that AI is not just a tech issue—it’s a board-level responsibility that impacts talent, trust, and long-term value. Boards must develop AI fluency now, or risk becoming irrelevant stewards of the future.

Boards Are Wired for Risk, Not Readiness

Private company boards—especi…