They sound alike and are constantly confused, but they govern different things. Information governance manages records and data; Digital Information Governance manages whether AI-influenced decisions are defensible. This is the distinction that defines DIG.
| Dimension | How they differ |
|---|---|
| What it governs | Information governance: records and data. DIG: AI-influenced decisions. |
| Core question | IG: how is information stored, retained, deleted? DIG: can this decision be defended? |
| Owners | IG: Gartner, ARMA, AIIM, records managers. DIG: coined by Matthew Bertram. |
| Era | IG: pre-dates generative AI. DIG: built for the AI-decision era. |
| Relationship | DIG is the decision layer that sits above information governance, not a replacement for it. |
Frequently asked questions
Is digital information governance just information governance with a new name?
No. Information governance manages the records and data lifecycle. Digital Information Governance manages whether AI-influenced decisions are defensible and auditable. They are different disciplines that complement each other.
Which one do I need?
Most regulated organizations need both: information governance for records and compliance, and DIG for AI-influenced decisions. DIG sits on top.
Put DIG to work in your organization.Governance Readiness Assessment →Book a keynote on DIG →
References
- NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0): Govern, Map, Measure, Manage. National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2023. View source ↗
- Information governance: the records and data lifecycle discipline (storage, retention, disposition), distinct from AI decision governance. ARMA International, Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principles; AIIM. View source ↗
- EU AI Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Official Journal of the European Union); ISO/IEC 42001:2023; Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA). View source ↗
- USPTO Trademark Reg. No. 99559923, Digital Information Governance / DIG, owner Matthew Bertram. View source ↗