The Govern Function is the foundational, culture-setting component of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF), focused on establishing the organizational policies, structures, and leadership commitment necessary to cultivate a proactive and pervasive culture of AI risk management.

This function addresses the "tone at the top," ensuring that AI risk management is not a peripheral technical activity but a core organizational priority integrated into strategy and operations. It involves defining the organization's AI risk appetite, assigning clear roles and responsibilities, and allocating resources to support the entire AI RMF lifecycle. Govern creates the enabling environment for the other functions (Map, Measure, Manage) to be effective, transforming risk management from a project-based checklist into an enduring organizational capability. It answers the question: "Do we have the right people, policies, and culture in place to handle AI risks?"

The Govern Function encompasses several critical organizational actions:

Establishing AI Risk Culture & Governance Structures: Defining and communicating an AI risk management policy, appointing accountable roles (e.g., a Chief AI Officer or Risk Committee), and fostering organizational awareness of AI risks.

Defining Organizational Risk Tolerance: Articulating the types and levels of AI-related risk the organization is willing to accept, reject, or mitigate, which serves as a guiding benchmark for all subsequent risk decisions.

Allocating Resources & Building Competency: Ensuring dedicated budget, tools, and personnel are available for AI risk management activities and that staff receive appropriate training on policies and procedures.

Oversight & Accountability Mechanisms: Implementing processes for management and board-level review of the AI risk profile, major AI project approvals, and the overall effectiveness of the AI RMF implementation.

Regulatory Context: The Govern function directly supports compliance with overarching governance requirements in other frameworks. It operationalizes the "culture of security and ethics-first" encouraged by the EU AI Act (Recital 5) and fulfills the leadership and commitment clauses (Clause 5) of ISO/IEC 42001 for an AI Management System (AIMS).

Strategic Foundation: Successful execution of the Govern Function is the single most important predictor of an organization's ability to manage AI risk sustainably. It ensures risk management is proactive, resourced, and aligned with business objectives, thereby protecting organizational value and reputation while creating a defensible position for regulatory compliance.