New AI profession: AI director or Chief AI Officer

The Chief AI Officer (CAIO) is a rising star in the corporate world, orchestrating the artificial intelligence revolution. Responsible for defining strategy and overseeing the integration of AI technologies, they are transforming internal processes and radically improving the customer experience. Discover the world of this leader of change, his or her hard-hitting skills and the attractive remuneration package that goes with it!

At a time when many companies are trying to figure out how to integrate AI into their business, new AI professions are emerging. This is the case of Chief AI Officer (CAIO), also known as Head of AI in good French.

Appearing in large groups and start-ups in the United States, the Chief AI Officer was legitimised by a directive from the White House requiring federal agencies to appoint heads of artificial intelligence.

In France, it is still in start-ups and large groups that IT managers are propelled to the head of AI strategy, because all the company's business lines can be affected by this technology.

What are the missions of the Chief AI Officer?

The Chief AI Officer (CAIO) occupies a strategic position at the heart of the company's digital transformation. He or she is the guarantor of the overall AI vision and strategy.

Its main mission is to develop and implement the company AI strategyby ensuring that it is aligned with business objectives. The CAIO continually explores opportunities for applying AI in the various departments. It identifies the areas where this technology can bring the most value, and supervises all AI projects, from their initial conception through to deployment and production. In this way, he or she ensures the overall consistency of AI initiatives within the organisation.

As a technological leader, the CAIO carries out a constant monitoring of advances in the field of AIHe is responsible for the company's AI strategy, enabling it to remain at the forefront of innovation. He or she manages the human and material resources associated with AI, building and leading teams of experts while ensuring that budgets are allocated optimally. A crucial aspect of his role is to guarantee the ethics and compliance of the AI solutions developed, ensuring that the use of AI complies with the ethical standards and regulations in force (RGPD, AI Act, etc.).

The CAIO works closely with the company's other senior managers to integrate AI into the overall strategy, fostering an apptransverse rock.

Finally, it is responsible for measuring and communicating the impact of AI initiatives, demonstrating the added value of these technologies to internal and external stakeholders. Through its actions, the CAIO plays a pivotal role in the company's digital transformation, positioning AI as a strategic lever for growth and innovation.

What studies should I do?

The Chief AI Officer generally has at least 5 years' higher education in IT, data science or artificial intelligence. They may also have studied business or have an MBA with a strong technology component.

What skills do you need?

► TECHNICAL SKILLS (know-how)

• Expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Cloud Computing Expertise and big data (AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, MLOps, Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, Docker, Kubernetes...)
• Experience and expertise of agile methods project management, particularly Scrum and SAFe
• Practice of collaborative project management tools and production (Asana, Jira, Slack, Trello, GitHub...)
• Knowledge of cyber security
• Knowledge of national and international regulations (RGPD, AI Act...)

► BEHAVIOURAL AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS(soft skills)

• Leadership and strategic vision The ability to define and communicate a clear vision for AI in the company. Ability to inspire and motivate teams from several departments within the company.
• Communication and popularization public speaking skills, ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-specialists
• Ability to listen and negotiate : Ability to obtain stakeholder buy-in for AI initiatives. Skills in negotiating budgets and resources
• Ability to analyse and summarise
• Attentive to market trends
• Change management : Ability to manage resistance to change and promote the adoption of AI. Organisational change management skills.
• Excellent command of English oral and written

How much does a Chief AI Officer earn?

Like most management positions, the Chief AI Officer receives a high salary, reflecting his or her experience and responsibilities. As is often the case, the size of the company, its sector of activity and its location will influence the final salary.

However, here are some salary ranges:

• 60-80 k€ gross per year (medium-sized company)
• 80-120 k€ gross per year (large company)
• +120 k€ gross per year (multinational, high-tech sector)

These figures can be supplemented by performance-based bonuses, stock options or other benefits.

What are its development prospects?

Thanks to his technical profile, the Chief AI Officer can progress within the company as Chief Information Officer (CIO) or Chief Technology Officer (CTO). His managerial skills will enable him to aspire to other positions within general management.

All in all, the role of Chief AI Officer is proving crucial for companies wishing to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence. With a wide range of responsibilities, from strategic vision to governance and acculturation, the CAIO must possess a unique combination of technical skills, communication, leadership and strategic vision.

As AI continues to transform businesses and industries, the CAIO will become increasingly essential in guiding this transformation in an ethical and responsible manner.