Why your organization needs an AI officer

As AI gains momentum in business, the need for an AI officer is becoming more apparent. And as more companies begin building their AI governance strategies, the question arises: How will they fill this critical role? Let’s explore who is best suited to take on this responsibility and how organizations can prepare.

What is an AI Officer??

The AI Officer oversees AI governance, ensuring that systems are safe, ethical, and compliant. This role requires a balance between technical, legal, and ethical expertise, often acting as the bridge between AI development teams and compliance or legal departments.?

Who is best suited for the role??

The role can be filled by a variety of executives, depending on the organization’s structure. Chief Data Officers (CDOs) or Data Protection Officers (DPOs) are often well-positioned due to their experience managing data-related risks and regulations. Alternatively, organizations can develop a cross-functional AI committee, where individuals from legal, technical, and business departments contribute their expertise.?

Why does it matter??

With the rise of regulations like the EU AI Act, ensuring compliance is essential. But it’s not just a European concern—US states are beginning to adopt AI laws, including frameworks around AI bias, transparency, and accountability. As more states follow suit, companies must prepare for a patchwork of regulations. Having an AI Officer strengthens your organization’s ability to navigate this evolving landscape, increase transparency, and build trust with customers and stakeholders.?

How can you implement this role??

Start by evaluating your current governance structure to identify who can best fulfill this role, whether by assigning it to an existing officer or hiring externally. Establish clear lines of communication and collaboration between AI developers, legal teams, and business leaders to ensure AI governance is integrated into your company’s broader strategy. For organizations looking to bolster their AI governance strategy and prepare for the role of an AI officer, understanding the foundational steps is crucial. If you're ready to take the next step in AI governance, explore this comprehensive whitepaper on practical steps and strategies to guide your journey.?

Timeline: AI's emerging trends and journey

• The California AI Transparency Act has been signed into law. It will enter into effect on January 1, 2026. It includes transparency obligations that cover AI providers disclosing AI-generated content and providing AI detection tools to consumers. Read more.?
• The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced the launch of a new program aimed at managing the cybersecurity and privacy risks associated with the adoption of artificial intelligence.??
• The United Nations announced the Global Digital Compact, the first comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation and AI governance. Check out its objectives and principles here.??
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced five separate actions against companies relating to their use of artificial intelligence (AI) for deceptive or unfair conduct, as part of Operation AI Comply.??
• Microsoft has updated Copilot, its AI assistant. The new features aim to make it more user-friendly and intuitive, and as the announcement claims, it's creating an AI companion for everyone.?
• Geoffrey Hinton, sometimes known as the “Godfather of Artificial Intelligence,” and John Hopfield have been awarded the Nobel prize in physics for their fundamental discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks. AI’s first Nobel prize. ?

Your AI 101: What is an...???

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Paul Lanois is an attorney and a European technology and privacy professional at Fieldfisher , advising on data privacy strategies with a focus on AI, machine learning, and cloud-based integrations.?