Gartner Survey Reveals 70% of CDAOs Lead AI Strategy, Highlighting Evolving Role in Organizations

AI presents new opportunities for data and analytic officers: Gartner

A survey conducted by audit and consultancy firm Gartner found that 70% of chief data and analytics officers (CDAOs) have the primary responsibility for building the AI strategy and operating model for the organisation they work for. The audit and consultancy firm surveyed 504 data and analytics executive leaders worldwide for its CDAO Agenda Survey for 2025, which ran from September through November 2024. "2025 is a critical year for CDAOs, as AI presents a new opportunity for them to establish their rank in AI leadership," said Sarah James, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner, during the Gartner Data and Analytics Summit taking place this week in London. "CDAOs' exposure across the organization, combined with their AI-ready data expertise, positions them uniquely to lead, guide and challenge their respective organizations to successfully deliver value from AI. This is making the CDAO's role pivotal to AI success. No other role has the opportunity to make the necessary connections and be at the center of the D&A and AI coalition of the willing," said James. Gartner predicts that by 2027, 75% of CDAOs not seen as essential to their organization's AI success will lose their "C-level" position. As per definition, C-level jobs, also known as the C-suite, are the highest-level executive positions within an organisation. The CDAO role has become more established and strategic because of the complexity and ubiquity of data, its use and its value. The Gartner survey found that CDAOs reporting to the CEO increased to 36% in 2025, up from 21% in 2024. However, the role of CDAO is evolving due to the prioritisation of AI within organisations. While the CDAO role is secure, organisations are exploring different structures for AI leadership, Gartner said. Gartner analysts foresee the CDAO role evolving in three distinct directions. Expert D&A Leader: In this role, the D&A leader serves as the central, cross-functional data expert in the organisation, likely to be a VP or head-of-data role that reports to IT. The role holds a holistic view of data across the organisation and contributes their expertise across lines of business, overseeing global business intelligence (BI), master data management (MDM), reporting, and data platforms. Connector CDAO: In this role, the CDAO orchestrates essential connections to ensure effective delivery. They embed D&A solutions in smart products and services for CxOs, bridging the gap between CxOs and the realms of data, analytics and AI. The role also drives the organisation's AI agenda forward, positioning the individual as an AI leader, if not the AI leader. Pioneer CDAx: The "x" represents an aggregate of the chief data officer (CDO), CDAO and chief data and AI officer (CDAIO) roles and responsibilities. This role acts as a transformation and change agent, who applies technology cross-functionally. The executive, likely to be an AI leader, champions solutions to D&A and AI concerns and issues, upholds ethical principles and maintains strong governance across the organization. "D&A leadership will continue to diverge in the near future and existing and aspiring CDAOs should develop their skills and expertise that align with their chosen path. This will help them to enhance their role and place in AI leadership," said James.

Gartner Survey Finds 70% of CDAOs Are Responsible for AI Strategy and Operating Model

CDAOs Must Be Seen as Essential to Their Organization's AI Success to Keep Their C-Level Position 36% of CDAOs Now Report to the CEO CDAO Role Is Poised to Evolve in Three Distinct Directions Seventy percent of chief data & analytics officers (CDAOs) have the primary responsibility for building the AI strategy and operating model for the organization, according to a new Gartner, Inc. survey. The Gartner CDAO Agenda Survey for 2025 from September through November 2024 among 504 data and analytics executive leaders across the world. "2025 is a critical year for CDAOs, as AI presents a new opportunity for them to establish their rank in AI leadership," said Sarah James, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner, during the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit taking place this week in London. "CDAOs' exposure across the organization, combined with their AI-ready data expertise, positions them uniquely to lead, guide and challenge their respective organizations to successfully deliver value from AI. This is making the CDAO's role pivotal to AI success. No other role has the opportunity to make the necessary connections and be at the center of the D&A and AI coalition of the willing," said James. Gartner predicts that by 2027, 75% of CDAOs not seen as essential to their organization's AI success will lose their C-level position. The CDAO role has become more established and strategic because of the complexity and ubiquity of data, its use and its value. The survey found that CDAOs reporting to the CEO increased to 36% in 2025, up from 21% in 2024. However, the role of CDAO is evolving due to the prioritization of AI within organizations. While the CDAO role is secure, organizations are exploring different structures for AI leadership. Gartner analysts foresee the CDAO role evolving in three distinct directions. Expert D&A Leader: In this role, the D&A leader serves as the central, cross-functional data expert in the organization, likely to be a VP or head-of-data role that reports to IT. The role holds a holistic view of data across the organization and contributes their expertise across lines of business, overseeing global business intelligence (BI), master data management (MDM), reporting, and data platforms. Connector CDAO: In this role, the CDAO orchestrates essential connections to ensure effective delivery. They embed D&A solutions in smart products and services for CxOs, bridging the gap between CxOs and the realms of data, analytics and AI. The role also drives the organization's AI agenda forward, positioning the individual as an AI leader, if not the AI leader. Pioneer CDAx: The "x" represents an aggregate of the chief data officer (CDO), CDAO and chief data and AI officer (CDAIO) roles and responsibilities. This role acts as a transformation and change agent, who applies technology cross-functionally. The executive, likely to be an AI leader, champions solutions to D&A and AI concerns and issues, upholds ethical principles and maintains strong governance across the organization. "D&A leadership will continue to diverge in the near future and existing and aspiring CDAOs should develop their skills and expertise that align with their chosen path. This will help them to enhance their role and place in AI leadership," said James. Gartner clients can learn more in CDAOs Face Three Future Directions for Success in the Age of AI. Data & analytics leaders can learn more about how to evaluate their own effectiveness using the Gartner CDAO Effectiveness Diagnostic, an exclusive tool that allows CDAOs to understand their effectiveness as leaders and discover their strengths and areas for improvement. About Gartner for Data & Analytics Leaders Gartner for Data & Analytics Leaders provides actionable, objective insight to CDAOs and data & analytics leaders to help them accelerate their D&A strategy and operating model to increase business value. Additional information is available at https://www.gartner.com/en/data-analytics. Follow news and updates from Gartner for D&A Leaders on X and LinkedIn using #GartnerDA. Visit the Gartner Newsroom for more information and insights. About Gartner Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT) delivers actionable, objective insight that drives smarter decisions and stronger performance on an organization's mission-critical priorities. To learn more, visit gartner.com.