Do You Really Need a Chief AI Officer?

The right answer depends on the strategic importance and maturity of AI in your company.

- Michael Wade, Anja Lagodny, Ann-Christin Andersen, Corinne Avelines, and Achim Plueckebaum

IN THE RAPIDLY EVOLVING LANDSCAPE OF artificial intelligence, organizations are grappling with how best to harness its transformative power. Some are choosing to create a new senior management position with enterprisewide oversight of AI activities. In March 2024, for example, the Biden administration mandated that all U.S. federal agencies appoint a chief AI officer (CAIO) to oversee AI activities and minimize related risks. An August 2023 survey of 965 global IT decision makers at midsize to large companies found that 11% had already hired a CAIO and a further 21% were actively seeking to fill the position.

This role, meant to drive a cohesive approach to implementing AI across an organization, comes with compelling arguments both for and against its creation. As a group, we have an informed point of view on the potential value of CAIOS; four of us have been chief digital officers (CDOs) across a variety of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, technology, consumer goods, and industrial products and services. As CDOs, we experienced many of the same challenges and opportunities that CAIOs are now facing.

The Case for Appointing a Chief AI Officer

AI, with its potential to transform business operations, customer experiences, and market offerings, is key to meeting the management mandate to be nimble and innovative in seeking competitive advantage. Arguments that organizations should have an executive role dedicated to AI point to the following benefits.