The 2026 AI Compliance Checklist: 12 Things Every Business Must Check
Whether you’re in the UK or US, these 12 checks apply to every business using AI tools in 2026.
1. AI inventory — List every AI tool your business uses, including ones embedded in other software.
2. AI disclosure — Are customers informed when they’re interacting with AI?
3. Privacy policy — Does it mention AI-assisted data processing?
4. Cookie consent — Are AI analytics tools covered by your consent mechanism?
5. Human escalation — Can customers always reach a real person?
6. Data processing agreements — Do your AI vendor contracts include proper DPAs?
7. Automated decision-making — Are customers told when AI makes decisions about them?
8. Bias testing — If you use AI in hiring or lending, have you tested for discriminatory outcomes?
9. Data minimisation — Are your AI tools collecting only what they need?
10. Tool overlap — Are you paying for duplicate AI features?
11. Regional compliance — Have you checked the specific laws for your jurisdiction?
12. Documentation — Can you demonstrate compliance if asked by a regulator?