Is It Time for a Chief AI Officer in Your Organisation?
AIs have moved past the “shiny tool” phase. It’s now shaping strategy, risk, and compliance at the board level.
So here’s the question: who’s actually steering AI in your business?
Why This Role Exists
Big companies are already making the move. Nearly half of FTSE-100 firms now have someone with “AI” in their job title at the leadership level. Many of those roles didn’t even exist two years ago.
And the thing is, this isn’t about tech for tech’s sake. It’s about making sure AI:
Drives growth – not just experiments.
Manages risk – covering data, regulation, and ethics.
Fits into operations – instead of sitting in a pilot folder.
Shifts culture – so your people see AI as for them, not instead of them.
Leave it scattered across IT, ops, and marketing, and you’ll burn time, money, and goodwill.
Signs You Might Need One
You don’t have to be a multinational. Watch for these red flags:
AI projects stall because no one “owns” them.
Different teams are dabbling with AI but not talking to each other.
Risk questions (bias, data, compliance) keep popping up with no clear owner.
Spending is rising, but ROI is flat.
Sound familiar? That’s usually the point where businesses need someone to pull it all together.
What Makes a Good CAIO
It’s not just about hiring a “data person.” A strong CAIO brings:
Hybrid skills – understands both AI tech and commercial strategy.
Governance mindset – can set rules and frameworks, not just chase tools.
Change leadership – gets people using AI properly, not fighting it.
Communication – credible with the board and relatable with the front line.
Not Ready Yet? Do This Instead
If a full CAIO feels like overkill, lay the groundwork:
Name an AI lead – even part-time, to coordinate.
Audit your gaps – skills, data, processes, culture.
Set metrics – decide what “good” looks like.
Run one quick win – prove value without boiling the ocean.
Raise literacy – help leaders and teams understand the “why” and the “how.”
The 1% AI Edge
This isn’t about job titles or prestige. It’s about making sure AI becomes an advantage, not another cost line or compliance headache.
The businesses that give AI clear leadership in 2025 will be the ones compounding wins month after month while everyone else is still experimenting.
👉 Quick question: if you don’t have a CAIO today, who is making sure your AI strategy is aligned, ethical, and actually profitable?
Here’s to work better, fewer clicks,
Ben