SAS launches practical AI governance tools to support responsible innovation

New AI Governance Map and assessment tool guide organizations in building structured, reliable AI systems

Reggie Townsend, Vice President, SAS Data Ethics Practice. Photo:LinkedIn. Portal ERP South Africa. 

SAS, a global leader in data and AI, has introduced two new resources, the AI Governance Map and a complementary online assessment tool, to help organizations evaluate and strengthen their AI governance capabilities. The tools aim to provide a clear starting point for managing risks, aligning with compliance standards, and supporting responsible deployment of AI systems.

The AI Governance Map helps organizations assess their maturity across four key areas: oversight, compliance, operations, and culture. The online assessment generates a custom report with benchmarks and actionable recommendations based on industry standards and peer comparisons.

The launch reflects growing pressure on businesses to ensure transparency and control as AI systems become more complex and widespread. In regulated sectors like finance and healthcare, governance practices are already in place, but new challenges presented by AI and generative AI require additional frameworks.

“Our goal is to help organizations build on what they already have, not start from scratch,” said Reggie Townsend, Vice President of SAS Data Ethics Practice. “Effective governance supports trust, streamlines operations, and prepares organizations for emerging risks.”

SAS' model risk management capabilities have been consistently recognized by industry analysts. Chartis named SAS a category leader for the 11th year in its 2024 RiskTech Quadrant for Model Risk Management, citing the company's strengths in ModelOps, orchestration, and lifecycle management.

SAS is also working on a unified AI governance platform designed to integrate with existing systems. It will offer tools for monitoring and coordinating AI models, agents, and systems, aimed at both technical users and executives.

A preview version of this solution will be available later this year. 

Governance as a foundation for innovation

According to Steven Tiell, SAS Global Head of AI Governance Advisory, governance should be seen not only as a compliance requirement but also as a foundation for sustainable growth. “Organizations that understand where they stand can move faster and with more confidence, knowing they are addressing risks proactively.”

By embedding governance into their innovation cycles, companies can better manage issues like bias, accountability, and regulatory alignment. SAS’ decades of experience in data governance and compliance informed the design of its new tools, which are intended to support organizations at any stage of their AI journey.