CIO OPINION users were not data-savvy and required assistance with accessing and interpreting data . Today ’ s user is not only more familiar with crunching data but has access to automated tools which perform tasks which once would have been way outside their scope of expertise .
This shift pushes CDO into a new realm . In an AIenabled world , all people , systems and processes depend on data . Many organizations will have to enact significant cultural change to improve data literacy and put the infrastructure in place which lets non-technical users generate insights independently and intuitively .
The CDO of today must be an able and engaging communicator with the charisma , influence and persuasive power to generate buy-in and commitment for new data-led initiatives . They need to understand the essentials of leading change , ranging from building an initial plan and setting out practical steps to achieve its objectives to delivering on that strategy and keeping the data infrastructure working at peak capacity .
A CDO ’ s success will hinge on whether they can connect data to business value and communicate this powerfully , simply and effectively to stakeholders across the organization . Data has never been as important , which gives CDOs a powerful ability to upskill the workforce by improving data literacy across all business functions .
ESG : A new responsibility for CDOs
the case for building systems capable of handling the vast amounts of non-financial data types that must be collected and managed to achieve ESG reporting . Systems will have to be robust enough to deal with unstructured data formats like emails , documents , customer feedback , social media , blog posts , satellite imagery , GPS data and AV files .
ESG mandates provide a rare opportunity for CDOs to showcase their skills and vividly demonstrate the value they bring to their organization . A single platform for data management makes this task easier . However , tech cannot do the job alone . The combination of hard data capabilities and soft human skills exhibited by most successful CDOs will make them uniquely suited to the ESG challenge ahead , as well as the AI opportunity .
How can organizations empower CDOs ?
The work of CDOs will be critical in 2024 and become more important in subsequent years as the AI revolution picks up pace . Leaders are strongly advised to recognize that the professionals working in this pivotal role are major strategic assets . They must be treated as such and properly provisioned .
This could involve giving CDOs a seat at the top table along with traditional heavyweights like the CFO . Or it could mean approaching their budget requirements with a new seriousness and getting on board with their roadmap for change .
AI represents a unique chance for the CDO to make their mark in an organization . Yet AI is not the only transformative trend which will demand their attention . New reporting requirements around sustainability and ESG metrics will generate mountains of data over the next two years . This will give CDOs the chance to make
In an era when a CDO ’ s work benefits the entire business , it ’ s fundamentally important to recognize their achievements and buy-in to their vision . When the CDO is empowered , the entire organization will be better equipped to seize the limitless opportunities AI will create in 2024 and beyond . p www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO LATAM INTELLIGENTCIO LATAM 41