Chief Strategy Officers in the AI Era
Key Questions and Tensions on the Road to ROI
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes integral to business strategy, chief strategy officers (CSOs) and AI leadership must address critical questions and navigate tensions to unlock AI’s full potential. This report is based on interviews with leaders across several industries and provides insights to help CSOs align AI initiatives with business value.
Key takeaways
- AI initiatives must be tightly aligned with the organisation’s strategic goals to create quantifiable business value.
- CSOs must strike a balance between fostering innovation through AI and managing associated risks and compliance requirements.
- Preparing the workforce for AI adoption is crucial for the successful implementation of AI strategies.
of GenAI experiments are expected to scale over the next three to six months - according to most organisations
of CSOs rank talent acquisition and transformation in their top three priority areas
Insights for the road ahead
Strategic objectives drive AI decisions
AI drives enterprise strategy by aligning decisions with strategic objectives, enhancing ROI, workforce skills and market solutions.
AI value is a string of pearls
CSOs should view AI as diverse tech solutions, each aiding strategy. Analyse feasibility, cost and ROI for each to build collective business value.
CSO as a scorekeeper
CSOs link strategy to value by guiding CxOs. They ensure strategic alignment, question progress and keep AI activities on track with business goals.
Weigh the risk of disruption
If AI disruption isn't immediate, evaluate if any of your use cases may apply to others organisations. If they do, expect commoditisation. For near-term disruption, use market sensing to track your competitors' AI use.
Factor in risk and compliance
Assess each AI initiative for value and risk early. Unmitigated risk can harm trust, growth and compliance, impacting your business goals.
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For CSOs, AI leadership begins with asking the right questions
In this report, explore the critical questions that can help CSOs maximise the returns on their AI investments
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Dr. Kellie Nuttall
