How to craft a compliant and high-impact AI strategy in 2025

Let’s face it: AI is no longer just an experimental tool in the developer workflow—it’s a game-changer. The research says it all. When using GitHub Copilot, developers experience improved efficiency and flow with:?

• Faster task completion (88%)?
• Quicker repetitive tasks (96%)?
• Ability to stay in the flow (73%)?
• Lower mental effort on repetitive tasks (87%)

But success with generative AI tools isn’t just about adopting cutting-edge technology—it’s about crafting a strategy that unlocks AI’s full potential while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.?

We are seeing first-hand with our customers and partners how a thoughtful AI strategy can fuel innovation. Here are five key steps you can take today to build a high-impact, compliant AI strategy in 2025.

?? 5 steps to scaling AI tools responsibly

As generative AI tools reshape businesses, the approach of our customers in highly regulated industries offers invaluable insights for enterprises embarking on their own AI journeys.

1. Establish guardrails for responsible AI usage

Building trust when using AI tools is crucial. Often customers rely on a third-party oversight process, holding their vendors to a high standard and requesting evidence of capability and traceability for every transaction. They also leverage their technical partners at GitHub, demonstrating how enterprises can balance growth with responsibility.?

To achieve this, leaders should consider:

• Data transparency: Know where your data is stored, how it’s used, and who has access. GitHub provides transparency tools, like the GitHub Copilot Trust Center, to help organizations make informed decisions.
• Compliance with global regulations: Stay ahead of legislation like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Artificial Intelligence Act, and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). Look for tech partners who are experienced in navigating compliance landscapes.?
• Auditability: Ensure that your AI tools offer traceability and audit rights to meet regulatory needs. GitHub Copilot, certified in SOC 2, ISO 27001, and CSA STAR Level 2, can help simplify compliance and streamline audit processes.

??The takeaway: By embedding governance frameworks into AI strategies from the outset, your business can balance innovation with regulatory demands.

2. Start with a focused cohort

Rather than launching your AI tool immediately at full scale, begin with a focused, manageable approach. Try rolling out the AI tool to just 10% of your development team during the first 90 days.?

Use this time to:

• Define success metrics.
• Build a baseline for performance and outcomes.
• Identify potential challenges and quick wins.?

Consider also creating entry and exit criteria for each phase. Tackle blockers early to prevent scale issues, ensuring a smooth path to broader adoption.

?? The takeaway: An iterative process with a focused rollout will allow you to refine your strategy and ensure smoother scaling—without overwhelming workflows or developers.?

3. Streamline internal champions

To manage complexity, consider building an integrated engineering platform to simplify onboarding, automate security and compliance, and enable self-service provisioning. By reducing friction in the environment setup and information discovery, developers can focus more on innovation.?

This paves a path forward for generative AI tools to thrive in any organization, which also requires strong leadership support.?

• Executives should champion AI as a strategic priority, creating alignment across departments.?
• Developers should share their learnings across teams to encourage creativity and peer-sharing within AI workflows.

??The takeaway: By combining streamlined engineering platforms with strong leadership support and peer-driven advocacy, organizations can empower developers to innovate and seamlessly integrate AI into their workflows.

4. Invest in enablement and training

Successful AI adoption isn’t just about the technology—it’s also about the people. By partnering with teams like GitHub Expert Services, our enterprise customers report faster adoption of the GitHub platform with better training for their developers.

Training your teams to work effectively with AI tools ensures they’ll realize the full potential of new systems. Resources like the GitHub Copilot Cookbook, with examples of prompts to use with GitHub Copilot Chat, can help fast-track enablement.?

?? The takeaway: By promoting and investing in necessary resources—like training programs and external partnerships—your teams can successfully normalize AI tools across workflows.?

Want to support effective use of GitHub Copilot in your organization?

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5. Track progress for continuous improvement

As adoption scales, track real-world impact. With a critical mass of engaged users, you can begin mapping developer experience KPIs to tangible business outcomes like faster development cycles, improved code quality, and better compliance.?

The Copilot Metrics API helps teams monitor progress, providing insights into simplified workflows, automation, and reduced vulnerabilities—all contributing to higher developer satisfaction and retention.

?? The takeaway: Tracking progress and continuously refining your AI implementation ensures long-term success. By regularly measuring your impact and adapting based on insights, organizations can drive sustained improvements in efficiency, code quality, and overall developer experience.

??? See how SAP scaled GitHub Copilot to 18k developers

Scaling AI impact doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not just about implementing a tool—it’s about reshaping how teams interact with code and fostering a culture of continuous innovation. Success requires aligning technology with people and processes, making AI adoption a journey of transformation, not just installation.

Unlocking AI at scale

Crafting a compliant and high-impact AI strategy isn’t just about adopting a state-of-the-art tool; it’s about connecting your people, processes, and technologies to unlock long-term value. At GitHub, we’re committed to helping enterprises succeed with AI. Our tools, partnerships, and expertise support businesses every step of the way, from creating AI guardrails to improving the developer experience.?

Ready to start your journey of leveraging AI to scale development, enhance resilience, and drive innovation across complex, highly regulated environments? Then get started today >

What challenges or successes has your enterprise encountered in crafting an AI strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear them.?