Alan Thorogood reads MIT CISR's September 2026 research briefing, which he co-authored with Peter Reynolds and Asif Gill. See the text version and related content at https://cisr.mit.edu/publication/2026_0901_AIRollerCoaster_ThorogoodReynoldsGill. Abstract: A surge of energy, investment, and optimism is driving organizations to adopt artificial intelligence (AI). However, these efforts carry risks, including wasted resources from redundant investments and added operational complexity and costs. Like a roller coaster, AI initiatives require carefully designed safeguards to move fast but avoid calamity. As these initiatives proliferate throughout the organization, implementing unique controls for every AI application becomes unsustainable. Drawing on interviews, this briefing identifies four domains where guardrails matter most for managing AI and effective controls, illustrated by a case vignette about fintech Tunic Pay.