OneTrust report reveals 37% increase in AI risk management time

A new report from OneTrust details the evolving challenges of governance as organizations increasingly integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations. The “2025 AI-Ready Governance Report” captures insights from 1,250 governance executives across North America and Europe, illustrating a shift in how companies approach AI risk management.

According to the findings, organizations experienced a 37% increase in time dedicated to managing AI risk this year. This uptick has led executives to recognize significant gaps in their existing governance frameworks, with 73% acknowledging deficiencies in visibility, collaboration, and policy enforcement as AI adoption grows.

Blake Brannon, Chief Innovation Officer at OneTrust, remarked on the implications of the findings: “AI is changing not just what organizations govern, but how they govern. The speed of AI innovation has exposed a fundamental mismatch.” This indicates the traditional governance processes have not kept pace with the rapid advancements of AI projects, contributing to the need for governance modernization.

As a result, 82% of leaders noted that the challenges posed by AI risks necessitated a transformation in governance strategies. Organizations aiming for a prominent role in AI are also adjusting their budgets. A striking 98% plan to increase governance funding in the upcoming financial year, averaging a 24% increase to facilitate governance enhancements aligned with AI growth.

For organizations actively adopting AI, the report shows that those with advanced integration face a higher prevalence of governance challenges; 86% resonate with the need for improved oversight compared to 58% for those still in experimental phases. There is a clear indication that enhanced governance structures are becoming crucial for those ambitious about scaling AI initiatives effectively.