A chief AI officer is no longer enough - why your business needs a 'magician' too

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ZDNET's key takeaways

While many companies appoint CAIOs, others aren't so sure.

Insurance specialist Howden has a director of AI productivity.

This expert ensures collaboration and effective asset exploitation.

There's a lot of debate about who should be responsible for ensuring the business makes the most out of generative AI. Some experts suggest the CIO should oversee this crucial role, while others believe the responsibility should lie with a chief data officer.

Beyond these existing roles, other experts champion the chief AI officer (CAIO), a newcomer to the C-suite who oversees key considerations, including governance, security, and identification of potential use cases.

Also: 5 ways you can stop testing AI and start scaling it responsibly in 2026

ZDNET reported last year that 60% of companies already have a CAIO, and another 26% are planning to make an appointment this year.

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