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Research . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Research . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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The Liability Squeeze and the Governance Response: How Documentation Becomes Leverage

Authors: Purdy, Ryan James;

The Liability Squeeze and the Governance Response: How Documentation Becomes Leverage

Abstract

AbstractEducational institutions face an emerging structural problem in AI adoption. Major technology vendors have structured their agreements to cap liability at nominal sums, while insurers are simultaneously excluding AI-related claims from standard coverage or conditioning specialty coverage on governance documentation most schools cannot produce. The result is an expanding zone of institutional exposure that neither vendors nor insurers will cover.This memorandum documents the two-sided liability squeeze, examines the information asymmetry that sustains it, and argues that governance documentation provides leverage to change the dynamic. The analysis draws on vendor contract terms from Microsoft and Google, insurance market developments including ISO exclusion endorsements and specialty carrier programs, and emerging regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.Key findings include: vendor liability caps of $5 to $10 for free-tier services create exposure gaps of potentially millions of dollars; commercial AI exclusions are proliferating while education-specific exclusions have not yet materialized, creating a finite window for governance development; and governance documentation serves not merely as compliance artifact but as negotiating leverage in vendor contracts, insurance renewals, and board accountability.The memorandum concludes that the structural conditions for the liability squeeze are in force, the forcing functions are activating, and institutions that build governance infrastructure proactively will be positioned to negotiate from strength rather than scramble under pressure.

Keywords

collective action, information asymmetry, pre-certification period, underwriting, evidence infrastructure, vendor liability, liability caps, vendor management, risk allocation, AI governance, educational technology, governance documentation, ISO 42001, insurance exclusions

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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