VRC: AI Governance and Oversight

New Podcast Episode:

AI adoption isn’t slowing down, but governance can’t be an afterthought.

In this week’s episode, Rob and Dawn recap key conversations from recent episodes and go deeper into what it really takes to build a defensible, auditable AI governance program. From human oversight to ISO 42001 certification and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, this episode connects the dots between strategy, compliance, and real-world implementation.

If your organization is using AI (even casually) this conversation matters.

In This Episode:

• Human-in-the-Loop Accountability — why “pause authority” and oversight are non-negotiable in AI programs

• AI Governance Foundations — starting with the why before deploying tools across your organization

• Data Awareness & Legal Exposure — understanding what your AI touches (PHI, PCI, PII, GDPR-regulated data)

• ISO 42001 Explained — building a formal AI Management System with certification potential

• NIST AI RMF Explained — the Govern, Map, Measure, Manage framework for U.S.-focused organizations

• Internal vs. External Audits — what certification actually requires and what readiness looks like

• Blending ISO + NIST — how organizations can combine both for stronger governance

• Tabletop Exercises & Disaster Recovery — testing AI resilience before a real-world incident forces it

• Why AI Governance Is No Longer Optional — preparing now before regulation makes it mandatory

Whether you're considering ISO certification, starting with NIST, or trying to understand what auditors will ask next, this episode gives you clarity on the road ahead. Listen now!

Featured Article

Probably the biggest conversation topic in business today is artificial intelligence. We're all trying to understand it and figure out how to move forward with this new "digital co-worker.” There's a ton to take in over the coming year. Digesting all that information is enough to make your head throb.

VanRein Compliance is here to help answer those questions. We can help you understand the needs of our new digital co-worker, how to make it an effective tool in your compliance efforts, and how it impacts the product your clients see and what the public thinks about your organization.

As AI governance becomes part of your 2026 compliance and cybersecurity work, putting AI on the shelf to think about later is a dangerous strategic move. All those pieces directly affect the trust people have in you and your company's reputation.

The first and probably biggest question you need to answer is... why?
AI is a cool, shiny new tool. It can do a lot of things and become one of the most effective and efficient tools in your toolbox. But that doesn't mean it's automatically the right thing to do right now.

It's time to sit down with a good old-fashioned pen and paper and start jotting down the pros and cons. Everyone needs to do this. From the executive suite to leadership, to IT, to your front-line workers.

Here are some key "why" questions to get you started:

• Why do we need AI as part of our daily work?

• Why do we need AI involved in the decision-making process?

• Why will ignoring AI in our business help or hurt us?

• Why can't AI be the final answer to our questions?

• Why do we need a "sandbox"?

Answer these and any other "why" questions your team can come up with. It gives you a clearer picture of how to move forward.

Just know you're not alone in this. Everyone in the modern workplace is wrestling with the same scenario. Having a trusted team to validate your answers or punch holes in them is the best way to build a solid path for success. This effort also builds on the most important part of your AI journey…. always keeping that "human-in-the-loop" component.

As we said earlier, treat AI like a new "digital co-worker." With every new team member, success comes from learning, training, coaching, and clear guidelines. Take the time to think it through together. You'll end up with a smarter, safer approach that protects your compliance, your data, and your reputation. If you want help walking through those questions or building out your plan, VanRein compliance has answers and the team to keep you moving forward, while making sure you don’t run into problems with federal and state laws.  Call us… it’s about T1me.

Compliance Feature

In partnership with

As we advance through 2026, organizations, particularly in Colorado, are fast-tracking AI governance plans to meet federal guidance and state laws like Colorado's AI Act (SB 24 205, effective June 30, 2026).

2026 Regulatory Snapshot

Federal efforts prioritize innovation and light oversight via executive orders and NIST AI Risk Management Framework, with potential challenges to some state rules.

Colorado requires high risk AI systems (employment, credit, education, insurance) to prevent algorithmic discrimination, conduct impact assessments, disclose to consumers, and keep records. Parallel laws in California and Texas increase multi state complexity.  Prepare for state enforcement while tracking federal preemption.

Effective AI Governance Essentials

Build a team based approach: form a cross functional committee (legal, IT, data/AI, compliance, business, executives, front line workers) for realistic policies and adoption.
Require human in the loop: mandate human review/override on high stakes decisions, audits, bias checks, and escalation.

Budgeting Requirement

Governance demands real funding. 2026 estimates:

• Small/mid sized: $50,000 to $150,000 first year.

• Large enterprises: $150,000 to $500,000+ initially, then 15 to 30 percent annually.

Don't let these numbers scare you, these are just wide-ranging national estimates, running on the high-side.  VanRein Compliance works with our clients to find the right fit for your business, regardless of size and scope.

Often 15 to 25 percent of AI/IT spend covers tools, consultants, training, audits, and compliance. Underfunding creates risk; proper investment cuts fines, litigation, and reputational harm while enabling safe innovation.

2026 Timeline

6 to 12 month rollout:

• Q1: Inventory, gap analysis, committee, budget approval.

• Q2: Policies (human in the loop), tools/training, prioritize high risk before June 30.

• Q3 Q4: Deploy monitoring, pilots/training, workflow integration, annual reviews.

In 2026, move to governed AI deployment. VanRein Compliance is laser focused on your compliance effort and works to help you combine team collaboration, human oversight, realistic budgets, and regulatory timing, especially in Colorado, to turn compliance into advantage. Fund governance as an ongoing program and monitor updates closely.

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