AI has entered the boardroom. The real question is whether leaders are prepared to govern it or risk being governed by it. As artificial intelligence moves rapidly from hype to hard strategic reality, executives face urgent decisions that will shape competitiveness, risk, and long-term relevance. This high-level session explores what leaders must do now, with a focus on regulation in Africa, policy readiness, local competitiveness, sovereignty and global power dynamics, and how boards can build trust, maintain control, and turn AI disruption into sustainable competitive advantage.