© 2026 MIT Center for Information Systems Research, Van der Meulen, Jewer, and Levallet. MIT CISR Research Briefings are published monthly to update the center’s member organizations on current research projects.
Audio
Minimum Viable Governance for Generative AI
Four characteristics of minimum viable governance help leaders design GenAI governance that can keep pace with a rapidly changing technology, as described in this audio edition of our March research briefing.
Abstract
Traditional technology governance assumes stable technologies, predictable consequences, and manageable demand. Generative AI (GenAI) upends these assumptions: its pace of adoption outstrips centralized review capacity, while the technology itself transforms faster than conventional governance mechanisms can adapt. This briefing introduces minimum viable governance, a framework designed to match the pace of GenAI while enabling the organization to sense and seize opportunities. Drawing on an in-depth case study and prior MIT CISR research, we identify four characteristics of minimum viable governance that leaders can apply across governance domains.
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About the Researchers
Nick van der Meulen, Research Scientist, MIT Center for Information Systems Research (CISR)
Jennifer Jewer, Associate Professor of Information Systems, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Research Collaborator, MIT CISR
Nadège Levallet, Associate Professor of Management and Information Systems, University of Maine and Research Collaborator, MIT CISR
MIT CENTER FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH (CISR)
Founded in 1974 and grounded in MIT's tradition of combining academic knowledge and practical purpose, MIT CISR helps executives meet the challenge of leading increasingly digital and data-driven organizations. We work directly with digital leaders, executives, and boards to develop our insights. Our research is funded by member organizations that support our work and participate in our consortium.
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