Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from the theoretical fringes to the real corporate world. According to the latest AI Business Forecast Report from consultants PwC, 73% of U.S. companies have already implemented AI in at least some areas of their business, and 54% of companies surveyed have already implemented AI in at least some areas of their business. It is said that generative AI is being introduced in the field.
This change is global. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), by 2028 in Asia Pacific, 80% of chief information officers plan to leverage organizational changes to leverage AI, automation, and analytics.
This new reality requires organizations to strengthen their AI strategies and goals, while developing internal AI leadership skills and coordinating AI implementation across multiple departments within the company.
As a result, more companies are creating chief AI officer roles to orchestrate AI applications internally and leverage AI more effectively when dealing with stakeholders such as suppliers and customers. Foundry Report revealed that 11% of medium to large organizations have already appointed a chief AI officer, and an additional 21% of large organizations are looking for someone to lead the charge. .
Appointments are cross-sectoral and take place in both public and private institutions. In the United States, President Biden is requiring all government agencies to appoint a chief AI officer. On the private side, major technology companies such as software giant SAP, established industry leaders such as Japan's Hitachi, and other midsize to large companies are scrambling to find and hire talent. Small businesses still address their needs through other internal technology groups.
The emergence of the chief AI officer fits into a broader trend to create more specialized roles within organizations. For example, previously compliance, risk, and innovation roles were under other corporate functions. Now they have their own leadership structure. The Chief AI Officer role, like the Chief Risk Officer, is designed to unify functionality and project the importance of the role to the organization. However, this new role has recently faced some backlash, including in the AI field, as some academics and industry leaders argue that all employees should be involved in this strategically important area. confronting.
