Ken Banta Publishes New Substack Article on the Realities of AI Adoption for Leaders

Ken Banta, Founder and CEO of The Vanguard Network, has released a new Substack article titled “The AI Reality Check for Leaders.” Drawing on a candid peer exchange among senior in-house counsel, the article explores how leaders are navigating mounting pressure to adopt artificial intelligence while managing governance, confidentiality, and return on investment.

Rather than promoting AI as a cure-all, Banta highlights the practical lessons emerging from real-world experimentation. Leaders shared what is working, where tools fall short, and why human judgment remains essential. The article examines early use cases in compliance, legal research, and contract workflows, alongside the risks of employee workarounds and unmanaged data exposure.

Banta argues that the real challenge is not choosing the right technology, but exercising leadership by setting clear policies, guardrails, and expectations. The piece offers a grounded perspective for executives seeking to move forward thoughtfully in an AI-driven environment, balancing innovation with accountability and trust.

Banta concludes with a clear message for aspiring GCs: the future belongs to leaders who embrace the GC Plus mindset and deliver impact well beyond the law.

To read the full article on Substack, click here.

About The Vanguard Network

The Vanguard Network is a leadership community and advisory platform that helps senior executives sharpen foresight, strengthen performance, and achieve impact. Through forums, exchanges, and programs, Vanguard convenes leaders across industries to share challenges and solutions in a confidential, collaborative setting.