An AI governance framework is the set of policies, accountability structures, processes, and oversight mechanisms that an organization uses to ensure its AI systems are developed, deployed, and operated responsibly. A complete framework addresses seven elements: AI use policy, risk classification, accountability structures, third-party AI procurement policy, data governance integration, monitoring and audit requirements, and incident response. Organizations that deploy AI without a governance framework create legal, reputational, and operational exposure that is significantly more costly to address after deployment than before it.