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The days of the CAIO are nigh, argues SnapLogic’s Jeremiah Stone. (Image: Shutterstock)
The rise of GenAI agents has cast an intense spotlight on data quality, governance, and infrastructure. This means there is greater responsibility on the C-suite to be accountable for the output AI produces, which has led to a fundamental reshaping of the C-suite itself. We are seeing new executive titles emerge; some more durable and likely to sustain, while some are more likely to fade as the strategic change they are asked to lead either becomes ubiquitous or fails to deliver anticipated value.
Enterprises globally are betting their success with AI on the rapid introduction of differentiating AI capabilities. Consequently, many a company’s future now hinges on the ability of its leaders to build a secure, scalable organisational and architectural foundation. This raises the question of the longevity of C-suite roles that are seemingly responsible for different aspects of this future.
Chief Data Officer (CDO): The enduring role
The effectiveness of GenAI agents is undeniably tied to access to high-quality, well-managed, and context-rich data. This prerequisite has elevated the importance of the Chief Data Officer (CDO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) roles considerably. These leaders and the organisations they lead are the linchpins responsible for ensuring that data quality and infrastructure are robust enough to support intelligent, action-oriented AI agents. Not only will this result in more accurate and impactful AI, but it’s also crucial for the governance and security of data as regulations and security standards for AI mature.
New executive role titles emerge at times of great change and disruption. Some are tied to new business models, like the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), which emerged with digital subscription-based businesses. Likewise, the role of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) emerged with the proliferation of distributed cloud computing. Ultimately, the appearance of these job titles are linked to long-term change.
The role of CDOs, much like the CISO, is highly likely to be durable due to the enduring strategic challenges associated with managing enterprise data. While the role may evolve, it will continue to undertake more strategic business responsibility, much like the CISO role has. The fundamental need for secure, well-governed, and high-quality data will not disappear. In fact, it will only intensify, and chief data officers will remain the guardians of this critical asset, ensuring it serves as the lifeblood for all AI initiatives.
Sunset for the CAIO
On the other hand, the chief AI officer (CAIO) role, which has become the latest C-suite addition, is likely to follow a different trajectory. Recall the chief web officers (CWOs) of the late 90s? When the internet was new, specialised web leadership was essential. But as web technology became standard, its functions were absorbed into existing IT departments. The CAIO role is highly likely to experience a similar fate, likely being subsumed into the responsibilities of the CTO or CDO as AI technology folds into core enterprise technologies and architectures standardise.
The need for a dedicated ‘chief AI officer’ arises when AI is viewed as a separate, specialised IT initiative. However, for AI to truly deliver enterprise-wide impact, it must become an intrinsic part of how organisations operate, integrated across applications and embedded in processes. Big tech companies are already thinking AI-first in decision-making at every level. Once AI capabilities are deeply integrated into the fabric of the business, the need for a standalone C-level champion diminishes – much like how the internet simply became “the way we do business.” The CTO, with their overarching responsibility for technology strategy and integration, and the CDO, with their stewardship of data, are the natural homes for these responsibilities moving forward.
From ‘AI champions’ to ‘strategic architects’
As AI and data literacy take hold across the enterprise, the roles of CDOs and CAIOs (while still present) will shift significantly. They will move beyond being mere internal change enablers and project champions to becoming strategic leaders and organisation-wide enablers. They are, and will increasingly be, responsible for setting standards, aligning AI with overarching business goals, and ensuring secure, scalable operations. Unlike champions who primarily drive awareness and adoption, these leaders build the fundamental, secure foundations for an enterprise-wide impact. They are the architects of the future, ensuring that AI is not just a series of isolated projects but a differentiating, cohesive, and impactful force within the organisation.
Many expect these top executives to reinvent themselves for the future of technology. However, the term is misleading, as these leaders have spent their entire careers to date on innovation-focused reinvention and continuous upskilling. They are lifelong learners who combine a depth of experience with currency in emerging technologies. From harnessing predictive analytics to navigating lighter-weight applications in the form of shadow IT, there has been an endless development path for people in these transformational change-agent roles. That’s what is so exciting about these positions – they offer opportunities for career or even company-defining legacies!
Ultimately, the future of enterprise AI isn’t about creating endless new executive titles. It’s about embedding AI into the core operations of the business, supported by robust data foundations and guided by leaders with a comprehensive view of technology and data strategy. The CDO will be crucial in this enduring effort, while the CAIO, though vital in this transitional period, will likely cede its distinct position as AI matures into an inseparable component of enterprise success.
Jeremiah Stone is the CTO of SnapLogic
