What is a Fractional Chief AI Officer (CAIO)?
A fractional Chief AI Officer is a senior AI executive who works with your business on a part-time or project basis, typically 1-3 days per week. They bring enterprise-grade AI leadership without the full-time commitment, helping organisations develop and execute AI strategies that drive measurable business outcomes.
The Role of a Fractional CAIO
Strategic AI Leadership:
Developing comprehensive AI and machine learning strategies
Aligning AI initiatives with overall business objectives
Evaluating build vs buy decisions for AI capabilities
Creating AI governance frameworks and ethical guidelines
Operational Excellence:
Building and mentoring data science and AI engineering teams
Overseeing MLOps infrastructure and model deployment
Managing vendor relationships with AI platform providers
Ensuring data quality and pipeline reliability
Business Impact:
Identifying high-ROI AI use cases across the organisation
Measuring and reporting AI programme outcomes
Driving adoption of AI tools across business functions
Managing stakeholder expectations around AI capabilities
Who Needs a Fractional CAIO?
Scale-ups with growing data assets needing AI strategy
Mid-market companies beginning their AI transformation journey
Enterprises needing interim AI leadership during transitions
Startups building AI-first products requiring senior oversight
[Day Rates](/fractional-executive-day-rates "Fractional Executive Day Rates")
Fractional CAIO day rates in the UK typically range from £1,200 to £2,500 per day, with an average of £1,800. Rates depend on experience, sector complexity, and engagement duration.
