A fractional Chief AI Officer is an experienced AI executive engaged part-time to own an organisation's AI strategy, governance and delivery. It suits mid-sized organisations that need senior AI accountability without a full-time appointment at that level.
Why it matters for a UK business
A business of 15 to 200 people needs someone senior thinking about AI who is not also running operations, and cannot justify a full-time executive to do it. Fractional is the honest middle.
What it looks like in practice
A senior practitioner, part-time, on a retainer, who owns the AI roadmap, the governance position and the build, and reports to the board. Not a project manager. Not a vendor's account manager.
What to do about it
Look for someone who has held accountability before, not just advised on it. The role is about making decisions the business will live with, and that is a different skill from producing recommendations.
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Speak to ChrisWritten by Chris Duffy. Last reviewed .