The ascendancy of AI has brought with it the ascendancy of
The service aims to provide clients with executive-level AI guidance without the overhead of a full-time hire. Such a virtual CAIO would provide custom-tailored AI strategies aligned with business objectives, identifying high-impact AI use cases and creating forward-looking implementation plans. It would also provide recommendations for AI tools, platforms and vendors, including guidance on build-versus-buy scenarios and seamless technology integration, as well as assistance with ensuring AI initiatives meet ethical standards, regulatory requirements and organizational values, with guidance on data privacy and AI model fairness. The service will also facilitate collaboration between IT, data and business teams to maximize AI initiative value; as well as provide assessment and real-time optimization of AI strategies to keep pace with technological advancements and changing business needs. The virtual CAIO service also offers an add-on specifically designed to support customers embarking on the successful deployment of Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Ray Beste, principal AI strategist at Sikich and the lead on this service line, said in an email it's comparable to the virtual CFO services provided at many firms. It is, in fact, a strategic extension of the firm's existing virtual executive services like virtual chief information officer and virtual chief information security officer.
"What makes the vCAIO unique is its focus on a highly specific and evolving area of business: AI strategy," said Beste. "While a traditional CIO or CISO focuses on broader IT or security concerns, the vCAIO is designed to help organizations navigate the unique challenges and opportunities AI presents."
Beste said he will serve as the primary resource, fully dedicated to this role. Depending on client needs, he said, the vCAIO service will scale and resource accordingly, leveraging the firm's in-house AI experts. This follows the same successful model Sikich uses for its vCISO and vCIO services, where it brings in specialists to deliver tailored solutions.
The firm used its own experience implementing AI solutions—combined with insights from client engagements and conversations—to develop the service by identifying the intersection of AI-specific needs and traditional executive roles. Through this process, it further refines the idea of what makes for a quality CAIO.
"It's someone who understands both the big picture of where AI is going and the practical realities of applying it to business problems," said Beste. "This person must collaborate seamlessly with CIOs, CDOs, CTOs and CISOs because AI impacts budgets, data and security across all these roles. A great vCAIO combines business acumen, technical knowledge and the ability to work at all levels of an organization."
Beste said the new service is built on a foundation of AI advisory work Sikich has been doing for years, and the initiative was born because the firm's clients expressed a need for ongoing partnership in this area. So far, he said, industries such as life sciences, insurance and professional services are showing the most interest. These organizations often already have CIOs or CDOs but need someone to cut through the noise and help them prioritize the right AI investments.
Smaller companies might benefit from the vCAIO service as well, he added.
"Smaller companies with ambitious growth goals may also find this service valuable. They might not yet be ready to hire a full-time AI executive but recognize that expert guidance can help them scale faster. Ultimately, it's about mindset and urgency rather than size, industry or geography," he said.
Sikich is currently in active discussions with several organizations interested in leveraging the vCAIO service to accelerate their AI strategies.
