Your CIO Shouldn't Own AI

Handing the AI programme to the CIO is the obvious move, and Stephen Redmond thinks it is the wrong one. AI is more than a technology rollout. It changes decision rights, it crosses every function from supply chain to sales, and it does not give the same answer twice, none of which sits comfortably inside IT. Stephen founded Straitéis AI and has written two books on AI leadership. He makes the case for a Chief AI Officer reporting to the CEO, and explains why a fractional appointment often beats a permanent hire.We get into what that person should tackle first, the three skills the job needs, why the chief data officer matters more once your own documents are in play, and what paving a cow path has to do with any of it. Stephen is only the second guest this show has had back. **SHOW NOTES:** About Stephen Stephen on LinkedIn **His books:** Both titles *AI Bowling Bumpers*, on governance, was still in final edit at recording Why giving AI to the technology lead is the natural mistake The three reasons AI does not belong in IT What a chief data officer actually does · The case for a chief AI officer · Why fractional often beats a permanent hire The first task is working out what the tasks are Paving a cow path · Why the outsider often sees it better The three skills a fractional AI leader needs How the roles sit together Three books in under a year The EU AI Act, and why enforcement is not only a big-company problem **Research cite:** BCG AI Radar 2026 **Regulation :** EU AI Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 - Transparency obligations discussed are Article 50, in effect since 2 August 2026 **Webinar, Thursday 17 September, lunchtime, 45 min :** Register AI Institute * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.