Launch of our white paper “AI Governance, 2026–2030”

A preliminary framework

To define the objectives and ​expectations​ of the White Paper ‘AI Governance, 2026–2030’, AdVaes brought together around fifteen people for a brainstorming session. ​ This session helped to identify the most critical areas for robust AI governance: sovereignty and data security on the one hand, and operational ethics on the other. During the discussions, the recurring themes of sovereignty (choice of cloud stacks, ownership of large language models, data localisation) and security (“security by design”, data protection, cyber security issues) is set against a tense geopolitical and regulatory backdrop, marked by the GDPR, the European AI Act (and its revised version under the Omnibus Directive), and requirements for the traceability of emissions and energy consumption (see CSRD).

At the same time, the prominent use of terms such as safeguards, bias, and source transparency highlights the urgency of integrating ethics from the design stage (“by design”), with concrete mechanisms for moderation, algorithm auditing, and combating abuses (see the reference to “shadow AI”). Governance must therefore balance technical control (observability, quality of outputs) and the legal framework, whilst responding to a growing demand for trust— an imperative for moving from proof of concept (PoC) to industrial-scale deployment. Support for business units and training appear to be essential prerequisites for embedding these principles in practice, thereby avoiding a purely top-down approach.

Another critical pillar concerns thebalance between performance and accountability, on which the legitimacy and sustainability of AI solutions depend. Environmental impact (energy consumption, prompt footprint) and cost management reflect a tension between innovation and restraint, accentuated by ESG or non-financial reporting obligations. Issues relating to usage and the quality of output serve as a reminder that governance cannot be limited to safeguards: it must also guarantee tangible business value, lest it be rejected by users.

Finally, the repeated use of the term ‘sovereignty’ signals a broader expectation of strategic autonomy, including cost control, intellectual property rights over models, and a circular approach to resources. The most critical aspect lies in the ability to reconcile imperatives that may be contradictory: sovereignty without silos, transparency without friction, and innovation without excess. Effective governance must prioritise projects where these dimensions reinforce one another, whilst equipping teams to measure their impact.

A White Paper enhanced with operational tools

These initial foundations identified during the brainstorming session led to consideration of developing a maturity scoring system and a matrix for prioritising the pillars of AI governance across four quadrants, combining the level of impact (critical vs. structural) and the level of action (operational vs. strategic). Depending on the approach taken, four organisational profiles emerge (see quadrants below). These also helped to define the key themes selected for this white paper, which is due to be published in late 2026.​

Un White Paper à forte valeur ajoutée

​​The value proposition​ of AdVaes’ White Paper, “AI Governance, 2026–2030”, is based on:

• A position paper, backed up by data from an exclusive field survey, plus real-world case studies, plus a maturity matrix based on a neutral and independent scoring system.
• A distinctive angle rarely covered elsewhere: solutions addressing failures and risks; perspectives from senior management, business units and technical roles, right through to end users (i.e. employees); and an analysis of the landscape of related offerings.
• Actionable tools (checklist, scoring system, quadrant/matrix).
• Key partners to act as a sounding board: Hub France IA, Cap Digital, Green IO Paris, as well as TechShow Paris(Cloud & AI Infrastructure).

Why support this new White Paper?

The market data (survey and interviews) and the positioning matrix are major differentiating factors.

A figure or a maturity quadrant always makes a stronger impact than a simple narrative.

Customised extensions are possible. It is also possible to secure exclusive rights to the report.

➜ If you’d like to find out more, please contact us.