Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving up the boardroom agenda, raising an important question for non-executive directors: are boards equipped to oversee the transformation AI is bringing to businesses?
This and other issues will be explored at Zampa Partners’ forthcoming NED Forum, a half-day event taking place on 15 October at the Verdala Wellness Hotel in Rabat.
The forum will bring together non-executive directors, board and committee members, chairs and company secretaries for a practical programme focused on some of the key challenges facing today’s boardrooms.
AI is just one of the issues placing new demands on directors.
A survey published last April by the National Association of Corporate Directors found that 65% of directors at publicly listed companies now regard AI as one of the key issues facing their boards, up sharply from 27% just over a year earlier. Cybersecurity threats have also climbed the agenda, cited by 43% of directors.
At the same time, corporate governance expectations around AI are still developing. More than six in 10 large-cap European companies had no formal AI policy disclosed in 2025, according to Glass Lewis, a leading provider of global governance and proxy advisory services to institutional investors.
Against this backdrop, the NED Forum will examine a range of issues increasingly central to effective corporate governance. These will include directors’ responsibilities in listed companies, oversight of tax returns, the use of artificial intelligence in the boardroom, regulatory investigations, anti-money laundering obligations, cyberattacks, and the role of non-executive directors in mergers and acquisitions.
The programme will combine panel discussions with focused keynote presentations from professionals across the legal, financial, regulatory and business sectors.
“The role of the non-executive director continues to evolve, and with it comes a broader range of responsibilities and challenges,” explains Michael Agius Vadala, Partner at Zampa Partners, who will also address how directors can ensure their companies are prepared to reduce the risk of a cyberattack.
“From cyber risk and AI to regulatory scrutiny and transactions, directors are increasingly expected to understand issues that extend well beyond traditional governance. We chose these themes for our forthcoming NED Forum because they reflect the realities boards are dealing with today, and we wanted to create a practical forum where directors can exchange perspectives and gain insights that are directly relevant to their role.”
The programme reflects the changing role of the non-executive director. As boards face increasingly complex regulatory and technological risks, directors are expected not only to provide effective oversight, but also to contribute meaningfully to strategic decision-making.
The forum will run from 8.30am to 1.30pm, concluding with a networking lunch. Registration is €50 per attendee via www.zampapartners.com/events/the-ned-forum-2026
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