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The New York Times declared that the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer is the hottest job in corporate America. Major companies are looking for leaders to help them navigate the risks and potential of artificial intelligence and how it will change the way people work.

I firmly believe it is time for international development organizations to follow the private sector and create a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer role to guide how humanitarian aid can be improved and expanded using the many digital development tools, with a focus on AI solutions.

We Need Artificial Intelligence Leadership

We now do development in a digital world. We need digital development leaders that recognize that the old paradigms are gone, the world has shifted to a new framework, and we must pull the future forward to the present within and across the international development industry.

Artificial intelligence solutions are improve people’s lives in developing countries by providing access to information, opportunities, and services, and by promoting innovation and efficiency in healthcare, education, agriculture, and  across all social and economic development sectors. For example, we already know about:

• 18 Real-World Uses of Artificial Intelligence in International Development
• Artificial Intelligence Funding Trends in Digital Health
• Very Accurate Artificial Intelligence Agricultural Advice in Thailand

The explosive growth of generative AI applications in development contexts shows that AI can quickly change and evolve since it was first mentioned in USAID programs back in 1983. We can now point to a body of work on GenAI in development, including:

• 2 GenAI Chatbot Solutions for Better Health and Education Impact
• 3 Ways Indonesians Use Generative AI for Social Impact
• 5 Southeast Asian Startup Companies Using Generative AI for Social Impact

We need leaders who understand how to utilize machine learning, natural language processing, pattern recognition, and yes, generative AI, to acceleration adoption of data, analytics, and AI to selectively scale proven solutions and generate decision advantages across the organization.

3 Reasons to Hire Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer

International development organizations have three very clear reasons to hire leaders who can organize digital development advisors to bridge the digital divide, promote local innovation, and align initiatives with the SDG, using artificial intelligence solutions:

1. US Government Requirement

President Biden issued an AI Executive Order in October, 2023 to ensure that America leads the way in seizing the promise and managing the risks of artificial intelligence. The OMB released proposed guidance for how agencies should implement the AI executive order. OMB Director Shalanda Young tells agencies in the memo that:

Artificial intelligence is one of the most powerful technologies of our time, and the president has been clear that we must seize the opportunities AI presents while managing its risks.

The guidance focuses on building up agency leadership around AI, accelerating the adoption of AI tools within agencies and managing the risks of those AI tools. AI is already deeply interconnected with other technical and policy areas including data, information technology, security, privacy, civil rights and civil liberties, customer experience, and workforce management.

USAID is hiring a Chief AI Officer as a direct result of this US government requirement and here is the list of CAIOs at the 24 largest agencies in government, along with the AI chiefs at 31 smaller agencies.

2. Partner Country Recognition

Low- and middle-income governments want artificial intelligence solutions. LMICs, such as India, Egypt, and Bangladesh are focusing on how AI can accelerate economic growth, improve services, and provide new employment opportunities with efficiency gains, job creation, and innovation.

For example, the The National Artificial Intelligence Policy for Rwanda serves as a roadmap to enable Rwanda to harness the benefits of AI and mitigate its risks. Building on the mission of the Vision 2050, Smart Rwanda Master Plan and other key national plans and policies, it equips Rwanda to harness AI for sustainable and inclusive growth.

3. Competitive Industry Reaction

International development organization are following the lead of private sector firms and the US government. They are hiring CAIO’s now to ensure that AI initiatives align with the company’s overall strategic goals. Organizations need  a roadmap for AI integration that enhances competitiveness and innovation versus other USAID implementers.

CAIOs need to have experience with the many different types of AI, including machine learning, natural language processing, data science, and more. Having a CAIO is a strong signal to potential employees, competitors, and collaborators that a company is serious about using AI to expand impact. In a hyper-competitive donor contracting landscape, AI can provide a significant competitive advantage.

3 Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Competencies

A strong CAIO requires three key competencies to succeed in this leadership role at international development organizations.

1. AI Leadership in International Development

Experience in leading and administratively overseeing AI, data science, applied machine learning, deep learning, large language models, generative AI, AI ethics, and interdisciplinary programs or initiatives with a focus on international development, humanitarian assistance, AI’s impacts on digital ecosystems.

Experience overseeing business processes, such as staffing, upskilling, government procurements, multi-year budgets and resources allocations that advanced Global AI initiatives, broad policy agendas and achieve objectives. Served as an organizational representative on a national and international level.

2. Technical Understating of AI Technology

Senior leader level experience with industry standards relevant to AI, such as data governance, cloud platforms, cybersecurity and privacy paradigms, and ongoing evolution of the sociotechnical dimensions of AI. Knowledge of structured query language (SQL) and/or similar database management systems.

Knowledge of global AI governance efforts, including at the local, national, and international levels. Understanding of AI-related organizational budget implications. Experience with AI programs across development and humanitarian assistance serving developing countries preferred.

3. Business Process Change Management

Experience in leading change management (principles, processes, behaviors, and skills) for AI across operating units and engaging with diverse stakeholders, both internal and external, including the ability to guide, facilitate, resolve, act, and communicate solutions.

Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Job Description

Here is a sample job description for a visionary leader to serve as the Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) for an international development organization. They will guide AI-driven initiatives that maximize development outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Job Summary

The CAIO will lead the organization’s strategy and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives to support and scale sustainable development programs across LMICs. The role will focus on harnessing AI for development (AI4D) to address complex social, economic, and environmental issues. The CAIO will ensure AI technologies are ethically and effectively integrated into project design and operations, and that they align with the organization’s mission to create locally-led, inclusive, and equitable impact.

This senior leadership role requires a deep understanding of AI, machine learning, and data science, coupled with extensive experience in international development contexts. The CAIO will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that AI technologies empower local communities, drive efficiency, and enhance decision-making capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and lead the organization’s AI strategy, aligning AI initiatives with development objectives and ensuring scalability across sectors and geographies in LMICs.
• Program Design and Implementation: Oversee the integration of AI technologies in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs, ensuring they deliver measurable impact. This includes areas such as predictive analytics for health, AI-enhanced education tools, and climate-resilient agriculture models.
• Partnership Development: Build and maintain relationships with governments, international agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners to foster collaboration and resource mobilization for AI projects.
• Ethical AI Governance: Establish frameworks for responsible AI use, ensuring that AI systems are fair, transparent, and protect privacy and human rights. Promote the development of AI solutions that are culturally sensitive and locally relevant in LMIC contexts.
• Capacity Building: Lead efforts to build local AI capacities by designing training programs, knowledge-sharing platforms, and technical workshops for staff and local stakeholders. Promote the localization of AI skills and technology transfer.
• Innovation and Research: Stay ahead of AI trends and ensure the organization continuously adapts to new technologies. Lead research initiatives on AI’s potential to solve development challenges, focusing on its application to real-time data, wearables, mobile platforms, and decision-support systems.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Oversee the use of AI in monitoring and evaluation frameworks, ensuring that AI-driven tools provide actionable insights and improve the efficiency of data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• AI for Good Advocacy: Act as the organization’s spokesperson on AI-related topics in the international development community. Represent the organization at high-level conferences, working groups, and forums, positioning AI as a key enabler for global development.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s or Ph.D. in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, or a related field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in AI, machine learning, and data science, with at least 5 years in leadership roles.
• Proven experience in the design and implementation of AI systems in international development, with a focus on LMICs.
• Strong understanding of ethical AI governance and human-centered design approaches, particularly in development contexts.
• Experience building and managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, donors, and private sector partners.
• Demonstrated ability to scale AI solutions in resource-constrained environments.
• Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, R, or Java, and AI platforms such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence high-level decision-makers.
• Commitment to equity, inclusivity, and local empowerment through the use of AI technologies.

Desired Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to think strategically about AI’s role in achieving development outcomes.
• Experience in training and capacity building, particularly in low-resource settings.
• Passionate about the potential of AI to drive social impact and reduce global inequalities.