Many CIOs are just busy fixing servers and budgets and are stuck in meetings that lead nowhere.
So culture work gets pushed aside, and AI is something everybody talks about, but in the end AI ideas never grow until it’s too late, and a startup disrupts the space.

Companies need someone who takes care of both the tech and the people, let’s call that person a Chief AI & Transformation Officer (CAO).

What this person does
– Sets clear goals, every AI tool must help the business and match company values, there needs to be a need behind it
– Trains the people, helps teams learn new skills before the tool goes live, and keeps them updated about AI initiatives and progress
– Connects all teams, AI affects Marketing, HR, Risk, and every other team, so he needs to keep them talking
– Makes safe rules a priority, checking for bias, errors, and moments when a human must step in

A simple 90-day plan to get started could look like this:
1. See what you got
– List every AI project, who owns it, and what it should do
– Talk with leaders about risks and values
– Write a short “Why we use AI” note for all staff

2. Prepare
– Start educating all staff about AI
– Start a small review team that meets weekly to work on new AI projects and pushes them forward
– Fix the worst data problems that block key projects (garbage in, garbage out)

3. Test and learn
– Run pilots, start with human in the loop
– Measure more than accuracy, look at user trust, usage, and whether it really helps
– Share quick wins and lessons, so everyone learns and feels included

Most of AI success is about people, not code.
If the people do not trust and don’t understand it, the culture won’t change.
If nobody owns that part yet, now is the time to create the role.