How to Get an AI Governance Job

Key takeaways

• To get an AI governance job, focus on developing key skills in data governance, bias mitigation, data analysis, and relevant legal and compliance knowledge.

• AI governance job titles include AI policy analyst, AI risk manager, data governance manager, AI ethics practitioner, and AI officer.

• AI governance job descriptions feature responsibilities such as assessing and improving AI policies, mitigating AI system risks, and ensuring departments meet AI standards.

AI governance salary figures have a median total pay of $242,000 according to Glassdoor [1]. Learn more about AI governance jobs and how you can work toward a career in this field. If you’re ready to get your start, the Generative AI Leadership & Strategy Specialization from Vanderbilt University will give you the opportunity to gain the skills you will need to help your organization effectively implement generative AI and large language models, such as AI enablement, AI literacy, responsible AI, and more.

What is the role of AI governance?

AI governance is highly important in shaping how companies use and continue to develop AI, making sure AI is fair, unbiased, and accountable. As artificial intelligence (AI) technology develops, the question of whether its use is ethical and for the good of the world is becoming increasingly important. AI governance is the response to this question, and job roles are evolving to ensure that companies are accountable and use AI ethically and unbiasedly for the benefit of the world. You’ve likely heard debates about the ethical use of AI and the dilemmas this new technology brings. AI governance came about for this very reason.

Companies can be wary of AI technology and what it can achieve, so it’s important that they feel safe with it. According to a study by IBM, 80 percent of businesses are concerned about adopting AI technology because they want to ensure that effective governance structures and ethical considerations are firmly in place first [2].

A major challenge in the field of AI is ensuring that companies and individuals use this new technology only to benefit the world and safeguard human rights. Having governance processes in place ensures compliance, ethical use, and trust among those adopting the technology.

AI governance includes a framework that all AI development and use should adhere to. Professionals responsible for adhering to this framework include stakeholders, AI developers, AI users, policymakers, and ethicists, who all take responsibility for ensuring they develop and use AI ethically, benefiting society while mitigating any risk.

Key areas of AI governance

Governance covers a range of themes and activities around the development and use of AI. Some key areas that data governance focuses on include:

• AI bias: Developers should ensure no bias exists due to differences like race, ethnicity, and gender.

• Access to personal data: Individuals should have access to their personal data.

• Appropriateness of automation: Human-managed options should be considered and available if more appropriate.

• Ethical considerations: All use of AI must be ethical and for the greater good.

• Legal structures, regulations, and policies: All organizations must have governance processes in place.

5 AI governance job titles

As the focus on AI governance increases, you’ll find more and more job opportunities becoming available in AI technology companies, government agencies, and across a range of industries, including health care, retail, finance, media, and manufacturing. These job roles come in many forms, demanding different skills and knowledge, including the following positions.

1. AI policy analyst

A policy analyst looks at and improves current policies, as well as suggests areas that need new policies. The research you carry out in this position looks at government objectives, laws, and the moral and ethical impact policies have on people. Policies might include themes such as AI and data regulation, transparency, and accountability when using AI technology. As the use of AI grows, policies also need to include financial and legal regulations.

2. AI risk manager

An AI risk manager assesses the level of risk relating to AI system vulnerabilities, activities, and threats. After assessing risk, it’s your job as an AI risk manager to mitigate risk by creating risk assessment plans and communicating findings, while considering governance frameworks, fairness, and ethics.

3. Data governance manager

As a data governance manager, you are responsible for the safety of a company's data. As AI becomes more prominent, a new set of challenges emerges regarding AI's role in managing data and its safety. Your job as a data governance manager is to research and mitigate these risks.

4. AI ethics practitioner

As an AI ethics practitioner, you have an important role in ensuring that AI developments meet ethical standards, promote responsible use, safeguard users, and adhere to human rights regulations through the guidelines and regulations you create.

5. AI officer

In the senior-level position of AI officer, you would implement AI strategy, considering ethical guidelines, systems transparency, fairness, bias, and accountability for AI developments and usage within your field or organization.

AI governance job outlook

In general, the job outlook for the AI industry is excellent as technology continues to develop. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, the importance of technology skills, with AI at the top, is expected to grow in demand over the next five years [3]. The sectors using AI are vast, with employment projections expected to grow significantly in some fields that are adopting AI, including software development, finance, and database architecture, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [4]. With this in mind, AI governance is becoming an important factor in how to use AI, including the need for regulations and compliance, and more and more jobs are emerging as a result.

AI governance job salary

According to Glassdoor, the estimated median total pay for AI governance professionals is $242,000 per year [1]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

AI governance skills

As AI technology develops, employers are seeing gaps in skills and need to upskill their workforces to ensure that staff have the ability to work with AI technology. According to the World Economic Forum, 39 percent of key skills required in the current job market will change by 2030, led by the demand for AI and big data skills [3].

The skills you need to work in AI governance vary depending on the job itself, but ultimately, you need a range of both technical and workplace skills, demonstrating your understanding of AI, your commitment to fair use, and your ability to work with others. Examples of skills to master include:

Technical skills:

• Bias control

• Decision making

• Risk management

• Educating and training

• Data management

• Data analysis

• Legal and compliance knowledge

• Data governance tools and frameworks

Read more: What Are Data Governance Principles?

Workplace skills:

• Empathy

• Communication

• Leadership

• Collaboration

How to get an AI governance job

Working in AI governance requires a specific skill set, experience, and education. You must have a full understanding of AI and the ethical concerns attached, as well as a strong knowledge of laws and regulations. With a growing skills gap when it comes to hiring for AI positions, you must work on all aspects of your education, experience, and skill development, as well as ensure you engage in continuous learning in line with the constant changes and updates that come with the AI landscape. Take a look at the tips below for starting your AI governance career.

Get an education

Working in AI governance requires a strong educational background. Many professionals looking to start a career in AI work toward a degree in data science, computer science, or a similar field, with courses on AI and machine learning. However, as governance is your focus, you can also go down the route of a degree in law or public policy.

Essentially, whatever educational path you pursue, you must be able to highlight your abilities in AI technology, computer systems, and computer science, as well as your knowledge of ethics and social science principles in relation to AI technology, on your resume and during an interview.

In addition to a degree, employers highly regard certifications because they allow you to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in a specific area. You’ll find numerous certifications, certificates, and online courses in the area of AI governance. Examples include:

• Certified AI Governance Professional

• AI Strategy and Governance

• Microsoft Certified: AI Business Professional

• IBM Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

Get experience

Practical experience is an important step in landing an AI governance job. Consider taking an internship while you study, engaging in research projects, and collaborating with researchers who can help you learn about ethical challenges.

Stay up to date

AI is a fast-moving discipline, so you need to make sure you keep up to date with new technology, advances in the field, and new trends by reading the news, listening to podcasts, and joining tech communities. Keeping informed will help you view things from an ethical and governance standpoint.

Update your resume

Learning the relevant skills to land an AI governance job is important, but how you present your skills and experience to an employer is also key. Make sure your resume is up to date with all your training, professional experience, and certifications. Your skills section is highly important because this is a great place to add some keywords relevant to AI and governance, such as AI ethics, automation, and AI frameworks. Make sure recruiters can see what you have learned and are able to apply it. Introduce yourself with a strong summary outlining your AI and governance experience, skills, education, and any accolades, such as AI certifications.

Explore our free resources for AI governance professionals

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