The skills of the CAIO: The profile of the manager that artificial intelligence brings us

Deep learning, machine learning, ChatGPT... Artificial intelligence (AI), which tries to imitate the cognitive process of human beings through algorithms, is transforming the world around us, including our vocabulary, and its inception into the different sectors of activity undoubtedly brings countless challenges for companies at any field. 

However, Amrop Spain, a Global Leadership Consulting firm, explains that the business world should not be afraid of the upcoming changes, but should be aware and prepared for this reconversion, which is going to be "more violent and faster than those experienced throughout history". 

According to Óscar García-Velasco, managing partner of Amrop Spain, "AI is not going to take away generic jobs; it will only displace most of them into the technological realm. That is where there is going to be a great demand for employment in the coming years, and we will have to adapt," he says. 

And to lead these business changes, the figure of the CAIO (Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer) emerges. A profile that is already taking hold in many American companies and that the experts at Amrop Spain define with four essential skills: 

1. Passion for innovation and curiosity to stay abreast of the latest advancements and emerging trends in the field of AI, including technological advancements, regulatory developments, and changes in the competitive landscape, to keep the organization at the forefront of innovation. 
2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, have the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and deal with the different areas of the company. 
3. Strategic vision and deep understanding of the business, to be able to align AI initiatives with organizational objectives and priorities. 
4. With moral authority and high ethical and regulatory considerations related to AI, including privacy, security, and compliance requirements, as well as sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. 

García-Velasco insists that this new position does not need to be a tech specialist; "it could be someone who understands technology and is continuously attentive to the upcoming technological changes." In fact, he points out that organizations should not "recycle" the IT manager, "we are talking about a profound cultural change where technology is only a support tool". 

Of course, the CAIO should become "the right hand of the top executives and the CEOs" and "needs to have the capacity to work with third parties", because, if there is one thing the managing partner of Amrop Spain insists on, it’s the "transversality" of this position, which must ensure that "artificial intelligence is calibrated with human intelligence, as a substantial task to avoid the loss of talent". 

In his opinion, in Spain there is a lack of this type of profile but with great talented professionals to become on, so surely "they will have to be imported at first". And are the largest corporations in the key economic sectors that will have to make the most efforts in this regard in the coming years. 

If you are looking for a CAIO or want to become one, do not hesitate to contact us: info_amrop@amrop.es