Does Your Company Have a Chief AI Officer?

So honoured and proud the day Chairman Tony Elumelu asked me to go to the whiteboard with the suggestions. When I finished, United Bank  for Africa had a Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer, and within hours, they were adopted and became roles in the bank (Chairman has provided many opportunities to this village boy and his support remains appreciated).

Today, if I have that opportunity in a big bank, I will add Chief AI Officer (or Head of AI) under the Office of the Chief Information Officer (could retrain or elevate head of data… as necessary). CAIO is a hot job right now.  I will be in Johannesburg and Zurich in Q1 2024, and doing groundwork to see how these roles can fit into the new nature of firms, in this age of AI. This is part of the work of being a teacher.

If Pythagoras explained that the world is Numbers, AI is the closest technology to the fulfillment of that statement which was a centerprise of his thesis during the Greek’s great debate, over Heraclitus, Thales and other philosophers.

Ndubuisi Ekekwe offers Board- and Executive Management-level private services, helping business leaders around the world to invent catalytic playbooks and processes to run and transform their firms. Yes, transform, not just run.  

As AI takes over industries, it may be time to check if it is time to create a Chief AI (artificial intelligence) officer, CAIO, role in that company. CIO explains the CAIO role as follows:

A chief AI officer is a senior IT executive who is responsible for setting a company’s overall AI strategy, including the design, development, and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. Peruse job advertisements for CAIOs, and one might conclude that the majority of these executives are needed at technology vendors. Many certainly are, but opportunities abound — and are increasing — at organizations of all types, Reeves notes. A typical candidate is someone who has a proven track record of leading successful AI programs, and a vision for transforming the organization with AI.

Candidates for the CAIO role are typically mandated to modernize processes with AI, ensuring that AI is used with ethics and governance in mind, and in building an AI-first culture, Reeves explains.

This is a sample job description from Indeed

Job description

Gibson Dunn is a leading global law firm, advising clients on significant transactions and disputes. Our exceptional teams craft and deploy creative legal strategies that are meticulously tailored to every matter, however complex or high-stakes. The firm’s work is distinguished by a unique combination of precision and vision. Based in any New York or D.C., the Chief Knowledge & AI Officer is a senior executive responsible for

 (1) developing and executing the law firm’s Knowledge & AI strategy,

(2) improving the organization’s efficiency through business analytics and process improvement,

(3) determining paths for the capture and maintenance of the law firm’s intellectual property and other assets,

4) develop strategies related to information and competitive intelligence,

(5) supporting the firm as it continues to grow to ensure it can meet the needs of its clients and attorneys, and

(6) creating and leading the Knowledge & AI team. Communication, leadership and emotional intelligence are important skills needed in this role along with an understanding of knowledge management, information management, data governance, legal tech, and AI. The Chief Knowledge & AI Officer will report directly to the Chief Legal Operations Officer and will work closely with the Firm’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer and Director of Enterprise Architecture. 

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive knowledge & AI strategy and policies that align with the firm’s objectives, and industry best practices.
• Establish and maintain a robust knowledge management program including identifying core knowledge assets within the business; developing processes for capture, curation and disposition of knowledge; and selection of technology and systems to maintain and share the knowledge.
• Lead efforts to work with lawyers and staff to understand KM and AI needs.
• Lead the efforts of client facing knowledge management and innovation.
• Support the Knowledge Attorneys in content curation, know how development and more. • Collaborate with the firm’s IS, cybersecurity and information governance teams to develop and enforce data privacy, security and governance protocols. Implement measures to protect sensitive client and employee information, ensuring compliance with data protection laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with the firm’s IS department to assess, select and implement appropriate business technologies that will improve business processes and increase efficiency.
• Collaborate with the firm’s BD department to assess systems that will support the marketing and BD efforts of the firm including experience management, pitch management, website marketing and more.
• Develop engagement, rollout and training programs to enhance the use of AI-based technology within the firm. • Continuously monitor the legal and other industries regarding AI and legal technology. Develop and foster relationships with providers.
• Develop and manage processes around technology and AI testing, security review and proof of value. Work with IS, Cyber, Information Governance and Practice Group Managers to make selections.
• Developing policies and strategies for knowledge, AI, research, business analytics and process improvement that will enhance the company’s competitive edge. • Develop and support the business analytics team.
• Manage the operational and capital budgets for the knowledge & AI department. • Coordinate with other departments to ensure that knowledge management activities are aligned with organizational goals.
• Stay current with best industry practices and new developments in knowledge management, research, competitive intelligence, AI, process improvement and business analytics.
• Participate in continuing education, research, networking, and professional and industry organizations to advance competencies.
• Providing leadership, mentoring, and coaching to other members of leadership regarding trends in technology, business practices, and other key areas affecting the organization’s ability to deliver on its mission.
• Oversee and manage Knowledge & AI department, including management of team and daily operations of function.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High-level proficiency in data, information, and project management roles understanding the importance of data protection.
• High-level proficiency in technology and AI and the impact on legal industry.
• Proven business acumen with the ability to understand the financial aspects of the company. Experience with budget creation and revenue and cost forecasting.
• Proven experience of developing and implementing successful knowledge management and AI programs.
• The ability to successfully drive organizational change.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication and people skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Collaboration and facilitation skills to work with various departments and facilitate their ability to work with each other.
• Ability to work independently and with a team, and to delegate and manage resources effectively. Strong leadership skills to manage and develop a large and geographically dispersed staff.
• Exhibit high degree of initiative and critical-thinking skills in exercising independent judgment and making decisions in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, detail-oriented work environment.
• Self-starter with demonstrated instances of taking initiative and overseeing an organizational change in an effective manner.
• Creative thinker who is open to considering multiple approaches to issues and collaborating with other leaders to develop and execute plans.
• Availability and commitment to work outside normal business hours as needed. Occasional travel.
• Strong understanding of business processes and how to optimize them through knowledge management.

EXPERIENCE

• University degree in business management, operations, library science, IT or related field.
• 10+ years’ relevant experience; IT, knowledge management, research, or a related field, preferably within a law firm or legal environment, globally. Preferable experience with both law firm and technology or information provider.
• 10+ years’ experience in a management or leadership role. Gibson Dunn will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of local law. Compensation & Benefits: The annual compensation range for this position is $375-550k.

The salary offered within this range will depend upon qualifications and other operational considerations. Benefits offered for this position include health care; retirement benefits; paid days off, including sick time, and vacation time; parental leave; basic life insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; as well as discretionary, performance-based bonuses

Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA (Feb 10 - May 3, 2025), and join Prof Ndubuisi Ekekwe and our global faculty; click here.