AssuranceLoop Foundation
Founding Cohort opens 8 August 2026
Build the foundations of professional AI Governance. Understand the principles, develop the mindset, and see how governance, risk, assessments, controls, evidence, assurance and continual improvement fit together across the AI system lifecycle.
Built for everyone beginning AI governance
No prior experience required. ALF gives you the language, principles and practical grounding to take part in governance with confidence.
- Executives, managers and AI system owners
- Risk, compliance and audit professionals
- Consultants and information security professionals
- Students and anyone starting their AI governance journey
The AssuranceLoop operating model
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the purpose and benefits of AI Governance
- Describe the organisational structures effective governance needs
- Identify AI systems and understand the purpose of an AI Inventory
- Explain the six assessment families in the AssuranceLoop Assessment Framework
- Describe how governance controls support responsible AI
- Recognise the importance of governance evidence and assurance
- Explain the AssuranceLoop Governance Lifecycle and how its parts interact
- Understand the role of continual monitoring and improvement
- Navigate the AssuranceLoop Professional Framework and your next step
Eight modules, each with a practical activity
Lessons build the concepts; every module ends with a short "Putting It Into Practice" activity so you finish thinking like an AI Governance professional.
01Introduction to AI Governance
- Welcome to AssuranceLoop Academy
- The AI Governance Landscape
- Why AI Governance Matters
- AI Governance vs AI Compliance
- Responsible AI Principles
- Module Knowledge Check
Putting It Into Practice: Identify three AI systems used in your organisation or daily life.
02Governance Principles & Organisational Context
- Governance Principles
- Organisational Context
- Interested Parties
- Governance Objectives
- Governance Committees
- Governance Responsibilities
- Reflection Activity
Putting It Into Practice: Map the governance roles that would oversee one AI system.
03AI Systems & AI Inventory
- Understanding AI Systems
- The AI Lifecycle
- AI Inventory Fundamentals
- AI Ownership
- AI Classification Overview
- Practical Identification Exercise
Putting It Into Practice: Create a simple AI Inventory entry using the AssuranceLoop template.
04Introduction to the AssuranceLoop Assessment Framework
- Why Organisations Perform Assessments
- AI Risk Assessment
- AI Impact Assessment
- Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
- Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment (FRIA)
- Conformity Assessment
- Assessment Approval Workflow
- The Assessment Lifecycle
- Interactive Knowledge Check
Putting It Into Practice: Decide which of the six AssuranceLoop assessments would suit a given AI use case, and explain why.
05Governance Controls & Evidence
- Governance Controls
- Preventive vs Detective Controls
- Policies and Procedures
- Evidence Management
- Governance Documentation
- Evidence Examples
- Practical Mapping Exercise
Putting It Into Practice: Match governance controls to the evidence that would show they are operating effectively.
06Governance Assurance & Monitoring
- Assurance
- Monitoring
- Governance Reviews
- Internal Audit
- Management Review
- Continual Improvement
Putting It Into Practice: Identify three governance activities that should continue after an AI system is deployed.
07The AssuranceLoop Operating Model
- The Governance Lifecycle
- The AssuranceLoop Modules
- Governance Dashboards
- The Professional Framework
- Career Pathways
- Preparing for AGP
Putting It Into Practice: Map the complete AssuranceLoop Governance Lifecycle for a sample AI project.
08Foundation Assessment
- Final Examination
- Course Review
- Next Steps
- Certification
- Digital Credentials
Putting It Into Practice: Develop a personal action plan for applying what you've learned and preparing for the AGP certification.
Everything you need to get certified
Learning resources
- ~7 hours of structured learning
- 8 professionally produced modules
- Interactive knowledge checks
- Downloadable learner workbook
- Practical reflection activities
Professional resources
- AI Governance glossary
- AI Governance maturity overview
- Governance lifecycle reference guide
- Intro to the Assessment Framework
- Course slides (PDF)
Assessment & support
- Final online assessment
- Digital certificate & verifiable credential
- Digital badge
- Twelve months' access
- Certificate verification portal
How ALF is assessed
Full transparency on the exam, credential and what's required to pass.
| Assessment format | Online knowledge examination |
| Question types | Multiple choice and scenario-based questions |
| Examination duration | 45 minutes |
| Pass mark | 70% |
| Recommended study time | Approximately 6 hours |
| Practical activities | Module exercises and governance reflections |
| Portfolio assessment | Not required at Foundation level |
| Retakes included | Three examination attempts |
| Digital credential | Digital certificate, badge and verification ID |
| Verification | Online credential verification portal |
| Certification validity | Three years |
| Renewal | CPD or recertification |
| CPD | Eligible for CPD credits |
Mapped to recognised standards
ALF introduces how practical AI governance connects to internationally recognised frameworks — not in isolation, but through real governance activities.
Join the Founding Cohort
Launch Cohort offer — £149 standard £295
Early-bird ends 15 August 2026 · Founding Cohort places are limited
Where Foundation takes you
ALF is the first step on the AssuranceLoop pathway and the grounding for these roles.
AI Governance Analyst
Support governance, evidence and reporting.
Compliance Officer
Connect AI use to obligations and controls.
Risk & Audit Support
Contribute to assessments and audit readiness.
Next: AGP
Progress to Governance Professional.
Frequently asked questions
How is the course assessed?
ALF is assessed by an online knowledge examination with multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, supported by practical module activities.
What is the pass mark?
The pass mark for all AssuranceLoop certifications is 70%.
Can I retake the assessment?
Yes — each certification includes up to three examination attempts.
How long is my certification valid?
All AssuranceLoop certifications are valid for three years from the date of award.
How do I maintain my certification?
Renew by demonstrating continued competence through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) — at least 20 hours of AI Governance CPD each year (60 hours over the three-year cycle) — or by recertification.
Do I need any prior experience?
No. ALF has no prerequisites and is designed for professionals from any background.
Learn the Standard from its author
ALF-101 is taught by Roy Biakpara — Founder of Cyber Path Insight and creator of the AssuranceLoop Professional Standard (APS), the Governance Operating Model (AGOM) and the Operational Model Suite (AOMS).
Join the ALF Founding Cohort
Founding Cohort opens 8 August 2026. Be one of the first certified under the AssuranceLoop Professional Standard.