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Paul Forrest works as a fractional Chief AI Officer and fractional Head of AI for UK boards, private equity portfolio companies and growing businesses. He sets the AI roadmap, chairs the governance forum and holds delivery to account, for a few days a month and without the cost of a full-time executive.
The engagement is built to leave a capable internal team behind it. Most organisations already employ people who could own AI well, and the work is to give one of them a clear mandate, the right decision rights and a programme that pays for itself. The Rise of the Chief AI Officer sets out that mandate and the first 100 days.
What a fractional Chief AI Officer does
- Names the two or three AI use cases worth funding, and the data, skills and decisions each depends on.
- Chairs an AI governance forum that keeps an inventory of models and agents, a risk classification and an audit trail.
- Prepares the organisation for the EU AI Act and ISO/IEC 42001 while delivery continues.
- Briefs the board and trains executives so that AI decisions are taken on evidence.
- Holds suppliers and internal teams to measured outcomes, with stop rules for pilots that do not earn their place.
How an engagement works
Work starts with a short diagnostic of current AI use, data readiness and governance, followed by a roadmap the board can approve. After that the role runs to a few days a month, with board and committee attendance as required. The model suits a business that needs senior AI leadership now and is not yet sure a permanent post is justified. Does your business need a Chief AI Officer? covers that decision, and Life as a Fractional CAIO describes the role in practice.
Evidence and method
The method is published. Nine sector papers at papers.ecaveo.com cover private equity, financial services, law, accounting, health research, aerospace and defence, media, logistics and critical national infrastructure. Paul is the author of Tales from AI Development Hell, AI Made the Decision and Rent the Models. Own the Learning, a TEDx speaker and a LinkedIn Top Voice, with three decades in management consulting and board advisory. The pages on AI consultancy services and the EU AI Act primer give more detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fractional Chief AI Officer?
A fractional Chief AI Officer is a senior AI executive who works for an organisation part time, usually a few days a month, and takes board-level accountability for AI strategy, governance and delivery. The role suits companies that need that leadership before they can justify a permanent hire.
How is a fractional CAIO different from an AI consultant?
A consultant usually delivers a defined project and leaves. A fractional CAIO holds an ongoing executive role, attends the board or its committees, owns the AI roadmap and is accountable for whether it delivers.
How many days a month does the role take?
Most engagements run to a few days a month, more during the initial diagnostic and roadmap and less once the governance forum and internal owners are in place. The time is agreed with the board at the start.
How do fees work?
Fees are set by the number of days a month and the scope agreed, and are confirmed in writing after an initial conversation. Get in touch to discuss your position.
When should a company hire a full-time Chief AI Officer instead?
A permanent executive usually makes sense once AI is central to the operating model, spend is large and several programmes run at once. A fractional engagement often prepares the ground and helps the board recruit that person.
Book a conversation with Paul or read more about his background.
