Axios reported that “Chief AI officer” is losing momentum as experts argue that AI strategy should be a collective responsibility. While some organizations have appointed CAIOs, others are exploring alternative approaches such as AI project teams and ethics committees. The scarcity of qualified CAIOs and the need for AI transformation across departments are cited as reasons for this shift. Fractional CAIOs working part-time across multiple organizations are also emerging as a middle ground. The CEO’s involvement in AI strategy and the need for a diverse set of skills and people for widespread AI adoption are required.
So I’ll give you an early Friday Big idea, as Harvard Business Review highlights how many companies struggle to derive value from GenAI because they view it as traditional automation rather than an assistive agent. The authors propose a Design for Dialogue framework, which emphasizes task analysis, interaction protocols, and feedback loops to create an effective human-AI workflow.
An example of that struggle: K-12 school superintendents are grappling with how to teach, use, and set guidelines around AI. While some states have introduced AI toolkits for schools, many superintendents feel unprepared and need guidance. AI has the potential to help educators but also presents challenges such as plagiarism, ethics, and deepfakes. Education consortiums and companies are working to provide AI tools, but much work still needs to be done. Teachers are concerned about students surpassing them in AI skills, and there is a need for policies to address issues like deepfakes.
Why do we care?
When answering a question about fractional AI services, I mentioned the Axios story on the live show yesterday (and will be in the podcast feed on Saturday). There’s a need for guidance, and I’m inclined to believe that, like most solutions, the smaller the company, the more it will be delivered via outsourced help, and the larger the company, the more dedicated resources will be required. That said, know that AI is a whole-of-organization initiative and not a bolt-on product to sell. Approaches like Design for Dialogue are the guidance to use.