The chief AI officer (CAIO) is fast gaining traction as an important leadership role for companies integrating artificial intelligence to optimize their operations.
The position is a new addition to the C-suite. According to social network LinkedIn, the number of firms with a dedicated head of AI has surged almost threefold worldwide over the past five years.
It is not by coincidence that many firms are hiring CAIOs. Since OpenAI debuted its viral chatbot ChatGPT in late 2022, companies have scrambled to adopt the technology, sparking an AI talent war.
But what do these senior leaders actually do? In the corporate environment, where job titles are constantly in flux, will the chief AI officer position catch on and remain relevant?
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Chief AI officer: Shaping the future
The role of a chief AI officer is key to shaping the future trajectory of a company’s artificial intelligence efforts, according to Ignacio Palomera, CEO of web3 talent recruitment network Bondex.
“These leaders are responsible for aligning AI strategies with business objectives, ensuring ethical AI implementation, and fostering innovation,” Palomera told MetaNews.
“In the web3 space, a CAIO is crucial for developing AI that powers decentralized platforms and facilitates advanced, secure professional networking.”
Bondex, which has a chief AI officer, sees the position as a “bridge between the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and the evolution of decentralized job markets,” said Palomera.
A recent U.S. government directive underscores the growing importance of the CAIO position. In March, the White House said it now requires federal agencies to test generative AI tools for risks and designate officers to ensure oversight.
The idea is that the CAIOs will help with “accountability, leadership, and oversight” of the technology. U.S. officials say the government wants to ensure that AI use in the public service remains safe.
While the U.S. plans to hire up to 100 AI professionals by year-end, some agencies have already appointed a CAIO. In February, the Justice Department revealed Jonathan Mayer as its first chief AI officer to lead a team looking at the use of AI in law enforcement.
‘Separating value from noise’
Matthijs de Vries, founder of AI data ecosystem Nuklai, said “with so many startups offering new solutions,” it will be “good” to have a chief AI officer “to help you separate real value from noise.”
“The chief AI officer will help your business boost efficiency at the workplace, and identify the most appropriate way your company needs to roll out AI across your systems,” de Vries tells us.
He adds that the executive will also be responsible for looking for “new revenue streams and areas it [AI] can help you optimize.” The position will require a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and people management skills.
This is critical background. Palomera, the Bondex CEO, says it is essential for the chief AI officer to have a “deep understanding of both the technical and business sides of artificial intelligence.”
“The role demands expertise in machine learning, data analytics, and an astute sense of strategic planning and ethical considerations,” he explained.
“For web3 and SocialFi platforms, a CAIO must also possess a forward-thinking approach to how AI can enhance decentralized career opportunities, improve user engagement, and create new avenues for professional growth.”
The position is “more about governance, socialising of the tech,” according to Tom Hurd, CEO of science jobs monitoring tool Zeki. Technology is only about 35-40% of the job, says Accenture chief AI officer Lan Guan, as reported by the Financial Times.
Too many chiefs
For the CAIO, there are more admin duties than there’s ‘publishing applied research,’ experts say. The role may also involve promoting a wider understanding of AI and demystifying some of the “fear and anxiety” about the technology, according to Guan.
Matthijs de Vries, the founder of Nuklai, says the CAIO position has traditionally been occupied by a chief innovation officer. But “the complexity and novel nature of artificial intelligence” means that firms are finding it more useful to have a “dedicated decision maker for anything” to do with the technology, he added.
Not everyone agrees that companies need a chief AI officer. Ted Shelton, a partner at Bain & Company responsible for automation and AI, argues that “the enterprise has too many chiefs that circle around the same problem.”
“AI should just be one of the levers,” he wrote on LinkedIn. “Yes there’s a technical component which should report to the CIO but the business component is the key to actually being successful.”
“AI needs to be a part of every leader’s job now, not relegated to one person who is educating the rest,” he says.
The majority of companies are still not decided on having a designated CAIO. Tech outfit Foundry says only 21% of firms plan to create the position. However, that figure is higher for entities in healthcare and education, averaging 35% and 33%, respectively.
Whither the AI chief?
At the moment, the responsibility for AI in several companies rests largely with the chief technology officer and the chief information officer, according to the research firm Gartner. CTOs and CIOs take the lead on AI initiatives in 23% of the entities Foundry surveyed.
So, will the role of the AI chief officer remain relevant in the long-term? “The rise of the CAIO reflects the growing significance of AI in strategic decision-making,” said Bondex’s Palomera.
“We believe that as AI continues to permeate every facet of business, the CAIO role will not only catch on but will become an indispensable part of the C-suite, much like chief information officers did with the rise of IT.”
Nuklai’s de Vries was more cautious, preferring to “wait and see”.
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