The Chief Information Officer’s (CIO) duties are often seen to include the duties of a Chief AI Officer (CAIO). But in reality, AI is developing so quickly that it requires its own boss. In 2016, AI specialist Andrew Ng recommended that businesses have a dedicated CAIO. For the majority of firms at the time, this concept seemed superfluous. Yet, as AI gains traction, more businesses are discovering they require a CAIO to manage its opportunities and difficulties.
An AI leader is more important than ever as AI techniques like generative AI and machine learning become more integrated into enterprises. According to a survey conducted in 2023, over 50% of CIOs intended to establish a CAIO role.Eleven percent of mid-to-large businesses already had a CAIO, and twenty-one percent were actively seeking one, according to another study. In 2024, federal agencies were required by the U.S. government to choose a CAIO. By 2025, 14% of organizations worldwide had a CAIO, and in some regions, like Asia-Pacific, the number was even higher.
Even in places where the CAIO role is still new, experts believe it will grow in importance. In Spain, for example, technology executive Iñigo Fernández compares it to the Chief Data Officer (CDO) role, which was rare five years ago but is now common in large companies. Companies that see AI as a key part of their strategy, like the pharmaceutical company Sanofi, already have AI leaders in place. According to Jordi Escayola, Sanofi’s AI leader, the organization benefits from having a CAIO to efficiently manage and apply AI in various divisions.
A CAIO, according to some experts, is significant because it alters how businesses view artificial intelligence. AI should be a strategic component of the company, not merely another tech tool. According to Adigital’s head of AI, Justo Hidalgo, AI is more than simply technology; it must be completely incorporated into corporate strategy. According to Jacobo Garnacho of IBM, a CAIO’s responsibility is to ensure that AI is not just designed but also properly deployed.
A CAIO is responsible for many things, from following AI regulations to making sure AI fits into the company culture. Hidalgo and Garnacho both say the goal is for AI to become an essential part of the business, without creating divisions between departments. Sonia Casado, who leads AI and transformation at Dentsu, agrees. She explains that AI is different from just managing technology—it’s about making smart use of company data and improving business processes.
Right now, the CAIO’s position in a company’s structure varies. Sometimes they report to the CDO, who then reports to the CIO. But Fernández says this is changing, and CAIOs are becoming more involved in business decisions. Casado also points out that unlike CIOs, CAIOs have a direct impact on company profits, since AI helps businesses work more efficiently and innovate constantly.
As AI becomes more important, companies are figuring out the best way to organize their teams. Some businesses don’t have enough AI projects yet to justify a CAIO, while others rely on AI so much that they need a dedicated leader. CAIOs will assume more leadership positions in businesses as AI use increases, according to Escayola. The CIO may assume leadership responsibilities in AI in organizations with little AI experience, according to Hidalgo and Garnacho. But as AI advances, having a CAIO will become increasingly important.
The CAIO and CIO’s relationship is always changing. The CIO oversees data management and technical infrastructure, whereas the CAIO concentrates on the development and use of AI. The CAIO drives AI strategy, while the CIO lays the groundwork, as Garnacho says. In many companies, the CAIO’s responsibilities still overlap with those of the CIO, CDO, CTO, and even the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
Casado clarifies that a CAIO isn’t the same as a CTO. While the CTO focuses on technology, the CAIO decides how to apply AI in the most effective way. Hidalgo sums it up well: the CAIO sets the strategic and ethical vision for AI, the CIO provides the infrastructure, the CDO manages the data, and the CTO ensures AI is integrated into products. While this structure might look different in each company, one thing is clear: the CAIO role is here to stay and will continue to grow in importance.
