Kore.ai exec: Fragmented AI rules make governance a competitive advantage

As governments race to regulate AI, a complex patchwork of laws is emerging. The EU's AI Act takes a risk-based approach, positioning itself as the “first-ever legal framework on AI.” In the US, the White House's 2026 National Policy AI Framework prioritizes deregulation for innovation, while states like Illinois, California, and New York push back with comprehensive AI safety laws—Illinois now mandates transparency frameworks, third-party audits, and formal risk mitigation for large AI developers. Meanwhile, the UK has no AI-specific regulation, governing AI through existing laws like financial services legislation. The UN even convened its first Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July 2026, stressing that no country can address AI's risks or benefits alone.

For Cathal McCarthy, Kore.ai's Chief Strategy Officer, this uncertainty is a call to reframe governance as a competitive advantage, not a compliance burden. He argues that governance should establish clear accountability, decision-making processes, risk management, and system monitoring—questions that teams frequently revisit, stalling projects before they begin. When governance is strong, many answers already exist, removing friction and accelerating innovation. The fundamental principles of good AI governance remain consistent across jurisdictions, even as regulations diverge. McCarthy concludes that enterprises adopting this mindset gain a trust advantage, enabling faster, safer, and more confident AI deployment in a volatile regulatory environment.