Beatrice almost talked herself out of it.
She had been reading about AI Governance for weeks.
Every article she found mentioned artificial intelligence, machine learning, algorithms, and data.
The more she read, the more one thought kept returning.
“Maybe this field is not for someone like me.”
After all, she wasn’t a software engineer.
She didn’t have a Computer Science degree.
Her background was aviation.
She had spent years ensuring passenger safety, following procedures, managing emergencies, and making decisions under pressure.
What place did she have in a field that seemed filled with programmers and data scientists?
Then she started researching the people already working in AI Governance.
To her surprise, not everyone had studied Computer Science.
Some came from law.
Others came from cybersecurity.
Some worked in compliance, risk management, auditing, public policy, or data privacy.
That was the moment she realised something important.
AI Governance is not just about building AI.
It is about governing how AI is used responsibly.
Why So Many People Think You Need a Computer Science Degree
It is an understandable assumption.
Artificial Intelligence sounds highly technical.
When people hear the words “AI,” they often imagine:
- software engineers
- programmers
- machine learning experts
- data scientists
Those professionals play an important role in developing AI systems.
But building AI and governing AI are not the same thing.
As organisations adopt AI across healthcare, aviation, finance, retail, education, and government, they also need people who can answer questions like:
- Is this AI system trustworthy?
- Does it comply with regulations?
- Are privacy rights being protected?
- Who is accountable if the AI makes a mistake?
- Are the risks being managed properly?
These are governance questions.
Not programming questions.
What Is AI Governance
AI Governance is the process of ensuring that artificial intelligence is developed, deployed, and used responsibly.
It brings together:
- governance
- risk management
- compliance
- cybersecurity
- data governance
- ethics
- privacy
The goal is not simply to make AI more intelligent.
The goal is to make AI more trustworthy.
So, Do You Need a Computer Science Degree?
The short answer is:
No, not necessarily.
Many AI Governance roles value a combination of technical awareness and non-technical expertise.
Employers may look for people who understand:
- governance
- regulations
- risk assessment
- compliance
- communication
- business processes
- data privacy
A Computer Science degree can certainly be an advantage for some roles.
But it is not the only pathway into AI Governance.
Understanding how AI impacts people, organisations, and society is just as important.
The Skills That Matter
As Beatrice continued learning, she realised she had already developed many relevant skills through aviation.
Without knowing it, years of working as a flight attendant had taught her to think like a governance professional.
She already understood:
Risk Awareness
Every flight involves identifying and managing risks before they become problems.
Compliance
Following procedures is essential in aviation.
The same mindset applies to AI Governance.
Communication
Complex situations often require clear, calm communication with passengers and colleagues.
Governance professionals communicate policies, risks, and recommendations in much the same way.
Decision Making
AI may provide recommendations, but responsible organisations still rely on human judgement for important decisions.
Accountability
In aviation, every action has an owner.
AI Governance follows the same principle.
Someone must remain accountable for how AI systems are used.
Where Should Beginners Start?
One lesson I have learned during my own transition is that strong foundations matter.
My journey started with Cisco Networking Essentials.
That helped me understand how networks and digital systems work.
I then completed Introduction to Cybersecurity and CyberOps, where I first discovered risk management.
That curiosity eventually led me to Governance, Risk, and Compliance.
Now, I am exploring AI Governance because artificial intelligence is changing the way organisations manage risk, privacy, and accountability.
Every step built upon the previous one.
I did not need to know everything on day one.
I simply needed to keep learning.
Why AI Governance Needs Diverse Backgrounds
Artificial Intelligence affects almost every industry.
That means organisations need professionals with different perspectives.
People from:
- aviation
- healthcare
- finance
- law
- education
- cybersecurity
- compliance
- public policy
all bring valuable experience.
Because AI Governance is ultimately about helping organisations use AI responsibly.
Technology alone cannot solve governance challenges.
People do.
On A Final Note
As Beatrice closed her notebook after another evening of studying, she realised the question she had been asking herself was the wrong one.
She had been asking:
“Do I have the right degree?”
The better question was:
“Am I willing to keep learning?”
A Computer Science degree can be valuable.
But curiosity, continuous learning, and an understanding of governance, risk, privacy, and accountability are equally important in this rapidly evolving field.
If you are considering a career in AI Governance, don’t let the absence of a Computer Science degree stop you from exploring the field.
Every expert started as a beginner.
And every career transition begins with one decision to learn something new.
