Trailblazing Women: Governing AI, Data, and Digital Democracy

March 31, 2026 | Virtual

NACD Atlanta, NACD Capital Area, and NACD Nashville, in collaboration with the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, hosted a virtual program examining the governance implications of artificial intelligence (AI), data integrity, and historical bias, in recognition of Women’s History Month.

Panelists discussed how gaps in the historical record and biased data sets continue to influence AI-driven systems today and how this impacts the visibility of women’s contributions. Drawing on the work of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum’s Discoverability Lab, which applies data science and AI to surface women’s history, the program explored what these challenges reveal about data integrity, technology governance, and leadership accountability in an AI-enabled environment.

Panelists explored the questions directors should be asking about AI training data, source reliability, and the potential for technology to reinforce existing ignorance. The conversation will also address the role of boards in overseeing inclusive leadership practices and aligning technology governance with broader organizational goals related to talent, culture, and accountability.