Altrata’s 2024 Executive Insight report focuses on the growing role of Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) and provides key insights into the rise of this position within both private and public sectors. The study tracks the rapid increase in CAIO appointments, highlighting a 70% year-on-year rise in the number of professionals stepping into this crucial role, reflecting the increasing importance of AI leadership in the modern business landscape.
- Growth of Chief AI Officer Roles
- 70% year-on-year increase in CAIO positions across private and public companies.
- The role is particularly expanding within private companies, while companies like Apple, Bose, and Meduit Group established the position in earlier years (2018-2019).
- Profile of Current Chief AI Officers
- Most CAIOs are internally appointed, with an average tenure of 6 years within their organization.
- The median age of CAIOs is 51, with an average of 2 years in their current role, reflecting an emerging leadership trend of promoting from within.
- Sectoral Distribution of Chief AI Officers
- 63% of CAIOs are in the private sector, 33% are in public companies (e.g., WPP, Schneider Electric), and 4% in government departments.
- The private sector’s dominance in AI leadership roles showcases the accelerating impact of AI in commercial enterprises.
- Experience and Background of CAIOs
- A significant portion of CAIOs lack senior-level experience outside of the tech field, with gaps in areas like operations, sales, and finance.
- Many CAIOs have backgrounds in major tech companies like Google, IBM, Oracle, and Accenture.
- Education and Training Sources for CAIOs
- Top universities, such as the University of Texas at Austin, Stanford, and Harvard, have produced many of the current generation of CAIOs, reflecting the academic foundations of AI leadership.
Altrata’s 2024 Executive Insight report provides valuable data on the rise of the Chief AI Officer role, shedding light on the evolving landscape of AI leadership. As AI continues to transform industries, understanding the backgrounds, skills, and sectors where CAIOs are most prevalent can help businesses navigate the future of AI in corporate leadership.
