Two years ago, clients rarely asked me about AI leadership . Now it’s central to almost every conversation about building senior teams. The shift has been remarkably fast
The data confirms what I’m seeing in practice. According to DataIQ’s 2025 benchmark, a third of organisations have already appointed a CAIO, and another 44% believe they should. Among the FTSE 100, the figure is even higher – 48% now have a CAIO or equivalent. What’s striking is the recency: 42% of these appointments happened since January 2024.
IBM’s research tells a similar story. The proportion of organisations with a CAIO has more than doubled in a year, from 11% to 26%. And those with dedicated AI leadership are seeing 10% greater returns on their AI investments.
Two types of CAIO are emerging
In my search work, I’m seeing a clear distinction between the ‘Savant’ and the ‘Shepherd’. The Savant is innovation-focused – building AI-powered products and platforms. The Shepherd prioritises governance, risk, and responsible deployment.
What boards are asking for
The mandate I’m hearing consistently comes down to three things: drive innovation, ensure robust governance, and integrate AI across functions.
So what does this mean for you?
The CAIO role isn’t a passing trend. With 92% of executives planning to increase AI spending over the next three years, and 83% of UK and EU leaders expecting the role to grow in importance, this is now a permanent feature of the C-suite landscape.
The question isn’t whether your organisation needs AI leadership. It’s whether you’re positioned to attract it.
Talent Pools AI is an executive search and talent advisory partner for leaders in the knowledge economy. We build the C-suite and senior leadership teams that drive growth in the AI era.
