# AI Inventory

Know where AI is being used.

Track: AI Governance and Ownership

## What is it?

An AI inventory is a list of AI tools, features, and use cases inside an organization. It does not need to be complicated at first. It should show what AI is used for, who owns it, what data it uses, who uses it, and whether review is needed.

## Why it matters

You cannot manage AI you cannot see. Many organizations have AI inside vendor tools, employee workflows, browser extensions, documents, chatbots, and internal experiments. An inventory creates visibility before risk becomes a surprise.

## How it works

Start with a simple table. Record the tool or use case, business purpose, owner, users, data type, vendor, output type, review step, and risk notes. Keep it alive. The inventory is not a one time survey. It is a map that needs updates.

## Analogy

Think of an AI inventory like a building floor plan. You need to know where the doors, rooms, exits, and risk areas are before you can manage the building. Without a map, everyone guesses.

## Example usage

A company may discover that marketing uses generative AI for drafts, HR uses AI inside a recruiting platform, support uses a chatbot, and engineering uses coding assistants. Those are different use cases with different owners and risks.

## How to use this

Start with known tools and vendor features. Then ask each team where AI is used in real work. Keep the first version small. A useful inventory beats a perfect empty template.

## Common mistake

The common mistake is tracking only obvious AI tools. AI may be hidden inside existing software. Vendor AI features count too.

## Question to ask

- **Scope**: Which AI tools, features, or workflows are already in use?
- **Owner**: Who owns each use case?
- **Data**: What type of information enters the AI system?
- **Review**: Which uses affect people, customers, decisions, or compliance?

## Quick quiz

What is the main purpose of an AI inventory?

## Flashcard

**Question:** What is an AI inventory?

**Answer:** An AI inventory is a practical list of AI tools, features, and use cases so the organization can see and manage AI use.