Chief AI Officer Job Description Template

The chief AI officer owns artificial intelligence strategy at executive level, covering where AI is applied, how it is governed and whether the investment produces a return. The role has appeared recently and its value depends entirely on whether the person has genuine depth, since the main risk it exists to manage is an organization spending heavily on AI without a clear view of what it is buying.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

• Set AI strategy across the organization and its priorities
• Decide where AI investment is justified and where it is not
• Own AI governance including risk, ethics and regulatory compliance
• Lead AI teams and their leadership
• Build the business case for AI investment and report on returns
• Establish standards for evaluation and responsible deployment
• Advise the board and executive team realistically on capability
• Manage vendor relationships and dependency risk
• Build organizational capability and literacy around AI
• Represent the organization’s AI position externally

Education

• Advanced degree in a technical field, or equivalent demonstrated expertise

Required Skills and Experience

• 15+ years including executive leadership and substantial AI depth
• Track record of AI delivering measurable business value
• Ability to distinguish genuine opportunity from hype credibly
• Experience with AI governance and regulatory requirements
• Strong commercial judgment about investment
• Board level communication and credibility
• Experience building and leading technical organizations
• Willingness to recommend against AI where it does not fit

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands on technical background earlier in career
• Experience in a regulated industry