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
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
Webinar, Thursday 17 September, lunchtime, 45 min : Register
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