Essential Work Samples for Evaluating AI Governance Policy Drafting Skills

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into business operations, the need for robust AI governance policies has never been more critical. Organizations must navigate complex ethical, legal, and operational considerations to ensure their AI systems are deployed responsibly. Professionals skilled in AI governance policy drafting play a pivotal role in this ecosystem, helping companies establish frameworks that balance innovation with risk management.

Evaluating candidates for AI governance roles presents unique challenges. Traditional interviews often fail to reveal a candidate's true ability to craft comprehensive, practical policies that address the multifaceted nature of AI systems. While candidates may articulate theoretical knowledge well, their capacity to translate principles into actionable governance frameworks remains untested in standard interview formats.

Work samples and role-playing exercises provide a window into how candidates approach real-world AI governance challenges. These practical assessments reveal critical skills including risk identification, policy formulation, stakeholder communication, and incident response planning—competencies that form the foundation of effective AI governance.

The following exercises are designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to draft clear, comprehensive AI governance policies while navigating the complex technical, ethical, and organizational considerations inherent in responsible AI deployment. By implementing these structured assessments, organizations can identify candidates who not only understand AI governance principles but can effectively operationalize them within your specific business context.

Activity #1: AI Risk Assessment and Policy Framework Planning

This exercise evaluates a candidate's ability to identify AI-related risks and develop a structured approach to policy creation. Effective AI governance begins with thorough risk assessment and thoughtful planning. This activity reveals how candidates prioritize concerns, structure their thinking, and establish the foundation for comprehensive governance policies.

Directions for the Company:

• Provide the candidate with a brief description of a fictional AI system your organization is planning to implement (e.g., a customer service chatbot, an HR resume screening tool, or a predictive maintenance system).
• Include key details about the system's purpose, data sources, decision-making capabilities, and potential impact on stakeholders.
• Allow candidates 45-60 minutes to complete this exercise.
• Prepare a simple template for the candidate to complete, including sections for risk identification, risk prioritization, and policy framework outline.
• Have a technical team member and a business stakeholder available to answer clarifying questions about the fictional AI system.

Directions for the Candidate:

• Review the AI system description provided.
• Identify at least 5-7 potential risks or concerns associated with the system's deployment (consider ethical, legal, technical, and business dimensions).
• Prioritize these risks based on potential impact and likelihood.
• Outline a framework for an AI governance policy that would address these risks, including:
• Key policy sections/components
• Stakeholders who should be involved in policy development
• Implementation considerations
• Monitoring and compliance mechanisms
• Be prepared to explain your reasoning for risk prioritization and policy structure.

Feedback Mechanism:

• After the candidate presents their risk assessment and policy framework, provide feedback on their risk identification approach and policy structure.
• Highlight one area where their assessment was particularly thorough or insightful.
• Suggest one additional risk consideration or policy component they might have overlooked.
• Allow the candidate 10 minutes to incorporate this feedback and explain how they would adjust their approach based on this input.

Activity #2: AI Governance Policy Drafting Exercise

This exercise tests a candidate's ability to translate governance principles into clear, actionable policy language. The core of AI governance work involves crafting policies that are comprehensive yet practical, balancing technical precision with accessibility. This activity reveals the candidate's writing skills, attention to detail, and ability to create implementable governance frameworks.

Directions for the Company:

• Prepare a specific AI governance policy section for the candidate to draft (e.g., data quality requirements, model validation procedures, or transparency guidelines).
• Provide context about your organization's existing policy structure, relevant regulatory requirements, and key stakeholders.
• Include any templates or formatting guidelines that align with your organization's documentation standards.
• Allow candidates 60-90 minutes to complete this exercise.
• Optionally, provide examples of other (non-AI) policy documents from your organization to establish tone and format expectations.

Directions for the Candidate:

• Draft a 2-3 page section of an AI governance policy addressing the specific topic provided.
• Ensure your policy section includes:
• Clear purpose and scope statements
• Specific requirements or guidelines (not just general principles)
• Roles and responsibilities
• Implementation guidance
• Compliance mechanisms
• References to relevant standards or regulations
• Write for a cross-functional audience that includes both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Consider how this policy section would integrate with broader organizational governance.
• Be prepared to explain your rationale for specific policy elements.

Feedback Mechanism:

• Review the draft policy section with the candidate, highlighting strengths in clarity, comprehensiveness, and practicality.
• Identify one area where the policy could be more specific or actionable.
• Ask the candidate to revise a particular paragraph or section based on this feedback.
• Observe how they incorporate the feedback and whether they maintain consistency with the rest of the document.

Activity #3: Stakeholder Communication Role Play

This exercise evaluates a candidate's ability to explain complex AI governance concepts to different audiences. Effective AI governance professionals must translate technical and regulatory requirements into language that resonates with various stakeholders. This role play reveals the candidate's communication skills, adaptability, and ability to build buy-in for governance initiatives.

Directions for the Company:

• Prepare brief personas for 2-3 different stakeholders (e.g., a technical AI developer, a C-suite executive, and a customer-facing manager).
• Create a scenario involving a new AI governance requirement that affects all these stakeholders differently.
• Assign team members to play each stakeholder role, with prepared questions and concerns typical of that perspective.
• Allow the candidate 15-20 minutes to prepare after receiving the scenario.
• Schedule 10-15 minutes for each stakeholder conversation.
• Provide the candidate with any relevant background materials about the governance requirement.

Directions for the Candidate:

• Review the AI governance requirement and stakeholder information provided.
• Prepare a brief explanation of the requirement tailored to each stakeholder's perspective and needs.
• During each role play conversation:
• Clearly explain the governance requirement and its rationale
• Address the specific implications for that stakeholder's role or department
• Answer questions and address concerns
• Secure buy-in and next steps for implementation
• Adjust your communication style and technical depth appropriately for each audience.
• Be prepared to handle resistance or misunderstanding.

Feedback Mechanism:

• After each stakeholder conversation, provide feedback on communication effectiveness and stakeholder engagement.
• Highlight one aspect of the communication that was particularly effective.
• Suggest one adjustment that could improve stakeholder understanding or buy-in.
• For the final stakeholder conversation, ask the candidate to incorporate this feedback.
• Observe how they adapt their approach based on previous interactions and feedback.

Activity #4: AI Incident Response Scenario

This exercise tests a candidate's ability to apply governance principles in crisis situations. Even with robust policies, AI systems can encounter unexpected issues that require rapid, thoughtful responses. This scenario reveals how candidates balance technical understanding, ethical considerations, and organizational priorities when governance frameworks are put to the test.

Directions for the Company:

• Develop a detailed scenario involving an AI system that has produced problematic outputs or decisions (e.g., biased recommendations, privacy violation, or unexpected system behavior).
• Include specific details about the incident, initial detection, potential impacts, and stakeholder concerns.
• Prepare a timeline that requires the candidate to make decisions under time pressure.
• Create a packet of relevant materials that might include system documentation, existing governance policies, and initial incident reports.
• Allow 30 minutes for review and 45 minutes for response planning.
• Have team members available to provide additional information if requested.

Directions for the Candidate:

• Review the AI incident scenario and supporting materials.
• Develop a comprehensive incident response plan that includes:
• Immediate actions to mitigate harm
• Investigation steps to determine root causes
• Communication strategy for affected stakeholders
• Policy implications and potential governance improvements
• Documentation and reporting recommendations
• Create a brief presentation (5-7 slides) outlining your response approach.
• Be prepared to explain how your response aligns with governance best practices and organizational priorities.
• Include a timeline for implementing your response plan.

Feedback Mechanism:

• After the candidate presents their incident response plan, provide feedback on their approach to investigation, mitigation, and communication.
• Highlight one aspect of their response that effectively balanced technical and ethical considerations.
• Suggest one additional consideration or step that could strengthen their response.
• Ask the candidate to revise their communication strategy based on this feedback.
• Observe how they incorporate the feedback while maintaining the integrity of their overall approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should we allocate for these AI governance policy drafting exercises?

The complete set of exercises would typically require a full day assessment or could be spread across multiple interview stages. Individual exercises range from 1-2 hours. For senior roles, consider allocating more time for deeper discussion and feedback. For more focused roles, you might select just 1-2 exercises most relevant to the position's responsibilities.

Should candidates have access to reference materials during these exercises?

Yes, allowing access to relevant AI governance frameworks, standards (like NIST AI RMF or EU AI Act), and general resources creates a more realistic working environment. However, be clear about which resources are permitted and ensure all candidates have equal access. This approach tests their ability to apply resources rather than memorize information.

How technical should the AI scenarios be for these exercises?

The technical depth should match the role requirements. For policy specialists who will work closely with technical teams, include sufficient technical detail to test their understanding of AI systems. For roles focused on regulatory compliance or stakeholder communication, emphasize those aspects while providing simplified technical contexts. The key is ensuring candidates can translate between technical and policy domains.

Can these exercises be adapted for remote interviews?

Yes, all these exercises can be conducted remotely with some modifications. Provide materials in advance, use collaborative documents for written exercises, and leverage video conferencing for role plays and presentations. Consider extending time allowances slightly to accommodate technology transitions and ensure candidates have stable internet connections.

How should we evaluate candidates who have experience in governance but are new to AI specifically?

Focus on transferable skills like risk assessment methodology, policy writing clarity, stakeholder communication, and incident response frameworks. Provide additional context about AI-specific considerations in your scenarios. Strong governance professionals can often adapt their expertise to AI contexts if they demonstrate learning agility and a solid foundation in governance principles.

Should we customize these exercises for different industries?

Absolutely. The most effective assessment will incorporate industry-specific AI applications, regulatory considerations, and stakeholder dynamics. A healthcare organization might focus on patient data governance, while a financial institution might emphasize model validation and explainability requirements. Customize scenarios to reflect your organization's actual AI implementation plans whenever possible.

As organizations continue to expand their AI capabilities, investing in skilled AI governance policy drafters becomes increasingly crucial. These professionals serve as the bridge between technical innovation and responsible implementation, helping organizations navigate complex ethical, legal, and operational considerations.

By implementing these practical work samples in your hiring process, you can identify candidates who not only understand AI governance principles but can effectively translate them into actionable policies tailored to your organization's needs. The right talent in this space will help your company build trust with customers, comply with evolving regulations, and mitigate risks while maximizing the benefits of AI technologies.

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