4 Google Next Insights for GRC and Compliance Leaders

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This won’t come as a surprise, but AI was everywhere at Google Next 2025. Every keynote, every product announcement, every hallway chat circled back to how AI is reshaping technology, and compliance was no exception. As discussions unfolded, it became obvious that GRC and security leaders have a huge role to play in navigating this shift. From managing audit fatigue to preparing for new AI regulations, the challenges (and opportunities) for compliance teams are growing fast. 

Here are five takeaways I brought back from the recent Google Next event that every compliance, security, and risk professional should be thinking about.

Takeaway 1: AI is Changing the Rules of Compliance

AI was everywhere at Google Next, and compliance leaders need to pay close attention. Organizations now face two parallel challenges: using AI responsibly within their operations and proving to regulators, auditors, and customers that they’re doing it. Implementing AI is not enough; companies will be expected to show how they govern its use, manage its risks, and embed ethical guardrails.

New frameworks are already setting the tone. In the U.S., NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework (RMF) offers guidance on trustworthy AI development. The EU AI Act defines strict compliance obligations in Europe for companies building or deploying AI systems. And these aren’t abstract policies—American companies operating globally already feel the impact.

At Next, it was clear that compliance teams must move faster: adapting policies, updating controls, and preparing evidence to demonstrate AI governance. Waiting until regulations are finalized will leave organizations scrambling. The time to operationalize AI compliance is now.

Takeaway 2: CISOs Are Putting Compliance in the Spotlight

Another clear signal emerged at Google Next: security and compliance no longer operate on separate tracks. CISOs are stepping up as key stakeholders in compliance strategy, especially around AI adoption and regulatory risk.

New regulations like the EU AI Act are raising the stakes. Security is essential, obviously. But companies also have to prove that AI models are trained, deployed, and governed responsibly. 

This shift is reshaping internal dynamics. CISOs are asking harder questions about how compliance teams are managing AI risks, automating evidence collection, and preparing for audits. They’re also getting more directly involved in building cross-functional policies that cover both technical and governance requirements.

At Next, it was clear: GRC leaders need to be ready for deeper collaboration with security teams and for much closer scrutiny from the top. It’s more pressure, but the silver lining is that it means GRC is gaining importance. One CISO told me, “Compliance is one of our main business enablers.”

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Takeaway 3: Audit Fatigue is Real—and Automation is the Answer

At Google Next, conversations about compliance weren’t just focused on new regulations. They also surfaced an old, familiar pain: audit fatigue. In most organizations, GRC managers still spend a considerable amount of time chasing down evidence to prepare for audits. Every request—every screenshot, every log pull, every manual validation—adds friction. Over time, that constant pressure wears down DevOps teams, engineers, and other stakeholders who are already stretched thin.

It’s a cycle that slows down audits and creates resentment. I talked to a security director for a big bank, and he said that he spends about 25% of his time on work for the GRC team! It’s not hard to see why it can get to the point where people start ignoring your emails and calls. 

Overloaded teams can’t give more time they don’t have, so it’s time to change the process. Automation is key: giving GRC managers direct access to validated evidence without needing to rely on back-and-forth emails or manual screenshots. When you automate evidence collection and validation, you don’t just make audits faster. You protect internal relationships, preserve trust, and create a healthier compliance culture.

Takeaway 4: Innovation Only Matters if You Execute Well

I love how Google thinks and its ability to bring big ideas to life. At Google Next, they used the setting of Las Vegas to create an experience you couldn’t miss.

They took us to the Sphere, and inside, they showed us how they’re recreating a 360-degree version of The Wizard of Oz. They’re using cutting-edge technology to reimagine something so classic, and it was a good reminder to me that innovation isn’t just about the newest tools or the flashiest demos. It’s about how you actually use the technology and how you turn ideas into something real that people can experience and connect with.

The same holds true for GRC. It’s one thing to talk about AI, automation, or new regulations. It’s another to actually build programs that work in practice, day in and day out. 

Google’s ability to connect innovation to real-world execution is a big part of why it keeps pushing boundaries. For GRC leaders, the lesson is clear: creativity matters, but execution is what makes it stick.
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The Road Ahead for Compliance Leaders

Google Next 2025 showed that compliance is evolving faster than ever and that the stakes are getting higher. AI, automation, new regulations, and deeper partnerships reshape how organizations manage risk and prove trust. For GRC leaders, the challenge ahead isn’t just about adopting new tools. It’s about building programs that move with the pace of innovation, without losing the rigor and resilience compliance demands. The organizations that succeed will be the ones that execute well, turning complexity into confidence and opportunity into authentic leadership.

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