How AI is reshaping the CIO role as companies embrace digital transformation
By Mani Keerthi Nagothu (pictured), Americas Field CISO Associate Director, SentinelOne
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) role is evolving rapidly as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes a core component of modern business strategies.
Traditionally responsible for managing IT infrastructure, CIOs are now taking on a broader leadership role, driving AI adoption and integrating advanced technologies to keep their companies competitive. This transformation calls for a new blend of technical understanding, strategic insight, and the ability to assess AI’s return on investment.
With the increasing use of Generative AI (GenAI), companies are eager to leverage AI to improve processes, efficiency, and decision-making. This shift could lead to new executive roles like the Chief AI Officer (CAIO), focused solely on AI-driven initiatives. However, in many organizations, the CAIO position is still emerging, leaving CIOs to spearhead AI projects and guide their integration into existing systems.
Prepping for AI integration
The rise of AI underscores the critical role of data in shaping business strategies. As companies become more AI-driven, CIOs will likely see a shift from managing in-house IT systems to overseeing third-party services where they own the data but not the infrastructure.
To prepare for these changes, CIOs must deepen their understanding of AI technologies, even if they aren’t directly involved in building AI systems. Being well-versed in AI concepts and applications allows CIOs to make informed decisions on technology investments, ensure alignment with business goals, and effectively collaborate with other executive leaders.
Balancing the roles of CIOs and CISOs
The relationship between CIOs and CISOs is critical, especially as AI introduces new complexities in cybersecurity. While CIOs are focused on driving digital transformation, enhancing customer experiences, and streamlining operations, CISOs prioritize data security and risk management.
This dynamic often requires a delicate balance, particularly when introducing new technologies like AI that necessitate secure integration from the outset.
For example, one area of common friction is patch management. According to Automox’s Unpatched Vulnerability Report, 60% of security breaches are linked to unpatched vulnerabilities. CIOs, aiming to avoid disruptions to business operations, may delay updates while CISOs push for swift action to close security gaps. These differing priorities underscore the importance of collaboration between the two roles to ensure both operational continuity and robust security.
Addressing security challenges in AI
The rapid evolution of AI introduces a range of new security challenges. CISOs are tasked with ensuring that security considerations are integrated into every stage of technology deployment, rather than being addressed as an afterthought.
As discussions around AI ownership and security continue to evolve, CISOs must proactively address potential risks and vulnerabilities. Establishing a security-first culture within organizations helps ensure that AI technologies are deployed safely, protecting sensitive data while still driving operational efficiency.
The shift towards AI also requires expanding beyond the traditional ‘Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA)’ triad that has long defined cybersecurity. AI systems bring new risks, from data manipulation to potential abuses of generative models.
For example, NIST’s AI Adversarial Machine Learning guidelines highlight risks such as availability breakdowns, integrity violations, and privacy breaches. With GenAI, there is an additional concern around abuse violations, where the misuse of AI models could have significant implications.
Adapting the CIA framework to include these evolving threats is crucial. An objective-oriented approach to security – where goals are set around protecting specific outcomes and processes – can help align the priorities of both CIOs and CISOs.
Key elements for a proactive security strategy
Successfully managing AI and its associated risks requires a holistic strategy that integrates security throughout the technology lifecycle. Key components of this strategy include:
- Organizational culture: Fostering a culture where security is a shared priority across all departments ensures that it is considered in every decision and action.
- KPIs and KRIs: Aligning Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) with business objectives helps measure the effectiveness of security efforts and manage risks proactively.
- Resource Allocation: Providing the necessary resources, from personnel to technology tools, ensures that the organization can maintain a robust security posture as new technologies are adopted.
The evolving role of CISOs
As companies embrace digital transformation, the role of the CIO is becoming increasingly central. CIOs are transitioning from being merely enablers of technology use to proactive decision-makers who can scale strategies to address both opportunities and threats. With this shift, CIOs must have the authority to shape technology environments, making decisions that balance risk management with business needs.
As AI continues to reshape the business landscape, CIOs must therefore adapt to their new role as strategic leaders, guiding the integration of advanced technologies. Meanwhile, CISOs are more critical than ever, ensuring that AI is deployed securely and responsibly.
Together, these leaders can build a framework for sustainable growth, where innovation is balanced with security, allowing their organizations to thrive in a rapidly changing digital environment.
