A new AGB OnBoard Board Effectiveness Survey says AI adoption is outpacing AI governance at higher education institutions. Across sectors, 92% of board directors reported using AI for board work in the last six months, but only a small share report enforcing board-level AI policies, leaving risk oversight uneven. The survey ties governance readiness to trustee preparation and policy enforcement. It reports that boards with enforced AI policies rate their effectiveness far higher than boards without, and notes that accreditation bodies and state legislatures are beginning to ask how institutions document AI-involved decision-making. The message to higher education leaders is immediate: trustees are expected to ensure management has a framework for AI risk, keep the board meaningfully informed, and close the gap between adoption speed and formal oversight—especially as faculty, donors, and compliance stakeholders ask for clearer accountability.