An organization's AI governance framework requires that all AI systems have an 'AI System Owner' accountable for the system's lifecycle. A recently acquired subsidiary has 23 AI systems but has not assigned owners. What is the FIRST governance action the parent organization should take?

The correct action is to conduct an AI system inventory assessment to understand each system's purpose, risk level, and business function, then assign ownership based on business accountability with urgency proportional to each system's risk level. Meaningful ownership assignment requires understanding what each system does and who is accountable for its business function, so assessment and understanding come first, followed by risk-prioritized ownership assignment with highest-risk systems first. The option that calls for immediately shutting down all 23 AI systems is disproportionate and would harm business operations without justification. The option that assigns the CTO as temporary owner of all 23 systems creates nominal ownership without accountability or capacity to manage 23 systems, and the CTO is unlikely to have the business domain knowledge for all 23 systems. The option that engages an external consultant to assess all 23 systems before assigning ownership delays an action that can be initiated internally.