Question 1

What is a fractional Chief AI Officer?

Accepted Answer

A fractional Chief AI Officer (CAIO) is an experienced AI executive who leads your artificial-intelligence strategy, governance and delivery on a part-time basis, typically one to two days a week, rather than as a full-time hire. You get board-level AI leadership at a fraction of the cost and commitment of a permanent executive.

Question 2

What is an Interim CAIO and how is it different from a Fractional CAIO?

Accepted Answer

An Interim CAIO is a full-time, fixed-term appointment, typically three to nine months, brought in to stand up an AI strategy and governance framework at pace, lead a specific AI programme or cover an AI leadership gap. A Fractional CAIO is a part-time, ongoing arrangement at one to three days per week. Interim works best when the business needs full-time AI executive presence immediately. Fractional works best when the business needs ongoing AI strategic oversight without the cost or commitment of a full-time executive.

Question 3

What does a Chief AI Officer do?

Accepted Answer

A CAIO owns how an organisation adopts, governs and profits from AI: setting the strategy and roadmap, putting governance and risk controls in place, rolling out AI tools safely, delivering measurable value, and giving the board and investors confidence that AI is under control.

Question 4

Fractional CAIO or a full-time Chief AI Officer: which do we need?

Accepted Answer

Most organisations do not need a permanent CAIO five days a week, and the market for board-ready AI leaders is thin and expensive. A fractional CAIO gives you the same seniority and judgement now, proves the value, builds the capability, and helps you recruit a permanent hire only once the role genuinely warrants it.

Question 5

When does a business need a Chief AI Officer?

Accepted Answer

When AI has reached the board agenda but no one owns it; when you are rolling out tools like Copilot or private LLMs and need them secured; when an investor, customer or auditor is asking about AI governance; or when you suspect AI could cut cost or add revenue but are not sure where to start.

Question 6

How is a CAIO different from a CIO or CTO?

Accepted Answer

A CIO runs the technology estate and a CTO owns product and engineering; a CAIO is specifically accountable for AI, its strategy, governance, and the value and risk it creates. The roles are complementary.

Interim Chief AI Officer (CAIO) for UK Businesses and PE-Backed Companies