Do I Need an AI Chief? Understanding the Role of a Chief AI Officer

The Importance of AI Leadership

I get asked a lot: Do I need an AI Chief? Imagine it’s 1997, and your company is deciding whether it needs an internet strategy. That’s where we are with generative AI today. However, there is one significant difference. In the early days of the web, a non-technical business leader could not simply speak a website into existence. Nor would your internet strategy be a consideration for your CHRO as a potential workflow transformation process.

The arrival and rapid development of today’s AI systems, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, require a different approach than previous technological waves. Adoption, leverage, and scale must be carefully considered.

In our client work and research, we consistently observe the same pattern: organized thinking about applying generative AI is scattered across departments. Often, it is treated like an IT project or simply doesn’t exist. Without a senior leader owning that transformation, organizations struggle to keep pace. They miss opportunities for experimentation, and the work lacks the foundation needed to propel the organization to new heights.

A Leadership Moment

This is a pivotal moment for CEOs. Appointing a single person to lead a structured process for transforming a company into an AI-first organization demonstrates a proactive mindset. It sets the tone for the entire organization.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all recommendation. Not every company needs a literal “Chief AI Officer” today. However, if you are serious about becoming “AI First,” someone must be empowered to drive the vision, prioritize opportunities, and lead an AI council. This council ensures ethical and scalable implementation. That’s precisely what a dedicated AI leader can accomplish.

The Complexity of Creating a New Position

The question of whether companies should create a new position for a Chief AI Officer is complicated. This field is new and evolving rapidly. You don’t want to be delayed by what could be a lengthy process to scope out and hire an AI leader. We have seen this scenario play out too many times. A company needs a functional overhaul but waits for the perfect leader to be in place, losing valuable time and opportunities in the process.

If you have educated and trained the members of an AI council, and that council has a chairperson, you effectively have an acting Chief AI Officer in that chairperson, at least for starters.

First 100 Days: A Roadmap for Success

So, for the chair of the AI council (or AI champions team), what does your first 100 days on the job look like? If you are like Brice Challamel, Moderna’s VP of AI products and platform, you will implement a transformational playbook. This involves conducting listening tours, deeply understanding the goals, challenges, and structural issues within every department. From there, you can develop a robust program for rolling out AI education and engagement across the company. This will lead to the formation of a champions team and the cataloging of use cases.

For most new AI officers—whether Chief AI Officer or chair of the AI council—the first 100 days will likely be more tactical. Here are some essential goals to focus on:

1. Establish an AI Education Academy: Ensure there is a scalable AI education and literacy program available to the company. A critical mass of cross-functional leaders should participate in this boot camp. Additionally, there should be a mechanism for this group to stay updated on the latest AI developments.
   
   
2. Set Up an AI Use Policy: Review and update existing policies, and create a mechanism for the AI council to administer this policy on an ongoing basis.
   
   
3. Create an AI Lab: Form a literal or virtual AI Lab composed of the council or a designated group of cross-functional team members. This group should ensure a comprehensive AI impact assessment and roadmap initiative is underway. It should also be available to assist every function and business unit in addressing challenges and opportunities.
   
   
4. Be the Chief Transformational Officer: The Chief AI Officer must also embody the role of the chief transformational officer. This requires being an exceptional listener and earning trust and credibility across the organization. One of Stephen Covey’s seven habits is “first seek to understand, and then seek to be understood.” This principle is why Brice Challamel’s listening tour at Moderna was so successful. It is the art of being an effective change agent, and it is perhaps the most critical success factor in the first 100 days for anyone leading AI transformation.
   
   

The Future of AI: A Strategic Imperative

Richard on LinkedIn responded: I’ve seen predictions that the human race is headed to singularity in a few decades.

My response:

Thank you for the comment. The idea of a technological singularity certainly captures the imagination. It is a topic often debated among futurists and scientists alike. At Bon Vie Consulting Group, we focus on something far more immediate and actionable: how leaders can shape the next 12 to 36 months of AI transformation in a strategic, ethical, and value-driven manner.

The real risk isn’t a distant AI explosion—it’s failing to act today. Most companies are still in the early stages of figuring out how to govern, scale, and integrate generative AI into their operating models. That’s where leadership matters most.

Whether or not we reach a singularity, the pressing reality is this: companies that treat AI as a “future tech issue” instead of a present strategic imperative will be left behind. The call right now is for clarity, capability-building, and cross-functional alignment.

That’s the real watch list for a Chief AI Officer—or any leader serious about staying relevant in the age of intelligent systems.

Conclusion: Embrace the AI Transformation

In conclusion, the role of a Chief AI Officer is not just about overseeing technology. It is about leading a cultural shift within the organization. This shift requires a commitment to education, ethical practices, and strategic alignment. By embracing this transformation, companies can unlock their full potential and thrive in an increasingly complex landscape.

As we navigate this new frontier, let us remember that the future of AI is not predetermined. It is shaped by the decisions we make today. Are you ready to take the leap into an AI-first future?