AI governance is becoming an evidence problem. CIOs need to prove that production AI systems still match the models, data, prompts, suppliers, and controls originally approved. Continuous AI Bills of Materials turn static inventory into a risk signal, helping leaders detect material change, route accountability, and avoid premature governance tooling.
LLM risks are real, but not every deployment needs a firewall. Premature adoption adds cost without reducing exposure. The decision hinges on user trust, data sensitivity, and model autonomy. This guide helps CIOs and CISOs decide when to deploy, how to tier risk, and what to evaluate before committing to a vendor.