Michelle Michel-Mitchell

What You Need to Know (And Why You Should Care) About AI Governance

For updates and more, join our community 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/company/devoxx-united-kingdom AI governance is no longer just for lawyers and policymakers- it’s now in the hands of developers, designers, and product teams. With the newer laws like the EU’s AI Act, Biden’s AI Executive Order, and emerging state regulations, the rules of the game are changing, and technologists are on the front lines of making them work. But what does “governance” even mean when you’re debugging an algorithm or shipping a new feature? And why should you care? In this talk, we’ll cut through the legal jargon and get real about what these regulations mean for the people actually building AI systems. How do these laws impact your day-to-day work? How can you design systems that align not just with regulatory requirements but also with your organization’s values? And how can you stay creative and innovative while navigating a growing web of rules? We will also zoom out to look at how legislation fits into the bigger picture of AI governance, from frameworks like NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework to corporate guidelines like Microsoft’s Responsible AI Standards. By the end of this session, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s ahead, a set of practical tools for evaluating governance requirements, and strategies to balance innovation with accountability. Whether you’re writing code, managing projects, or making strategic decisions, this session will help you build AI systems that are not just cutting-edge, but also responsible, mindful, and ready for the future.