How should a board approach its first serious AI strategy discussion — what questions should it be asking?

For a board's first serious AI strategy discussion, the focus should shift from exploratory pilots to structured evaluation, emphasizing measurable returns and alignment with broader organizational goals. Boards should treat AI investments like a portfolio, scoring and ranking use cases based on risk, value, and capability to avoid misaligned bets and ensure ROI, as experimentation alone is no longer sufficient [2][5]. Key questions include: Can AI growth plans coexist with climate commitments? [1]; What measurable outcomes will AI deliver, and how can we co-design solutions for specific business problems? [6]; and Which executive role should own AI governance, implementation, and accountability across operations, risk, and workforce? [11]. This approach helps balance ambition with practicality, fostering informed decisions on AI's strategic role.