Artificial intelligence leadership is settling into a more defined role as organizations formalize governance, investment priorities, and enterprise-wide adoption. This latest group of Chief AI Officers reflects a shift from experimentation toward structured execution, where accountability, oversight, and measurable outcomes now carry equal weight with innovation.
Today, AI Leaders Council will focus on 12 CAIOs that accepted new roles in April 2026.
CNN Announce Chris Wiggins as Head of Machine Learning and AI Science
CNN has tapped Chris Wiggins, who has served as chief data scientist at the New York Times for more than a decade, for a newly created role as head of machine learning and AI science. At the news outlet, he will lead a team that “optimizes the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve outcomes company-wide, from maximizing advertising and subscriber revenue, to creating unique and personalized experiences for users, to helping editorial teams utilize data tooling in coverage and programming decisions.
NASCAR Hires Richard Bowman as First-Ever Director of AI
NASCAR has hired its first-ever director of artificial intelligence. Richard Bowman joined NASCAR at the start of the calendar year as AI operations specialist, helping lead the racing series’ efforts in AI related to strategy, governance, policy and implementation.
Alabama Names Aaron Wright as First CAIO
Alabama has named its first-ever state chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO), a step that will likely foster greater coordination around how AI is used across agencies. The role is being filled by Aaron Wright, longtime director of application development for the Alabama Office of Information Technology, who will serve as CAIO within AOIT.
Vestmark Appoints Freedom Dumlao as CAIO
Vestmark, Inc., a leading provider of wealth management technology and services, announced the appointment of Freedom Dumlao as Chief AI Officer. Dumlao will continue in his role as Chief Technology Officer while expanding his responsibilities to lead the firm’s AI strategy as a member of the executive leadership team.
Littler Names Stephanie Goutos as First CAIO
Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has appointed Stephanie Goutos as the firm’s first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. Goutos will partner with firm leadership to continue to advance Littler’s firmwide AI strategy, oversee governance and responsible adoption across all practice areas, and develop AI-enabled capabilities that strengthen the firm’s ability to serve clients at scale.
Jessica Block Joins RGP as First-Ever CAIO
RGP has appointed Jessica Block as its chief artificial intelligence officer. Block will advance RGP’s internal AI capabilities, expand the solutions RGP can provide for clients, and help clients continue to learn, integrate and expand their use of AI effectively to accomplish their objectives.
Lloyds Appoints Sameer Gupta as Chief Data and AI Officer
Lloyds Banking Group has appointed Sameer Gupta as its new Chief Data and AI Officer, strengthening its technology expertise and leadership as the Group continues to roll out artificial intelligence to enhance products and services for customers.
Elizabeth Smalley Joins Marigold as New CAIO
Marigold, a global marketing technology company focused on helping growing businesses build stronger customer relationships, announced the appointment of Elizabeth Smalley as Chief AI Officer. Smalley brings over a decade of experience at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data strategy, and product leadership.
HSBC Names David Rice as First CAIO
HSBC Holdings plc has named David Rice as its first Chief AI Officer. In this newly created role, Rice will lead enterprise-wide AI adoption to support HSBC’s ambition of building a future-ready bank that integrates AI solutions to benefit colleagues and customers.
Monjur Announces Tracy Thibodeau as VP of Product & AI
Monjur, Inc., a leading provider of attorney-supervised contract intelligence solutions for managed service providers, announced the appointment of Tracy Thibodeau as Vice President of Product & AI. In this role, Thibodeau will lead Monjur’s product strategy and artificial intelligence initiatives, accelerating innovation across the company’s legal technology platform, including its AI-powered assistant Monjur Pilot.
Magnus Akesson Joins Hyper as VP AI Strategy & Intelligent Systems
Hyper, a U.S.-based digital infrastructure partner redefining how mission-critical solutions are designed, built, delivered, and serviced, has appointed Magnus Åkesson as Vice President of AI Strategy & Intelligent Systems. Magnus joins Hyper’s leadership team to drive the integration of AI, data, and system intelligence across Hyper’s platform and distributed ecosystem.
Christie Mealo Joins Medical Knowledge Group as New CAIO
Medical Knowledge Group (MKG), a strategic commercialization partner to pharmaceutical and biotechnology innovators, announced the appointment of Christie Mealo as Chief AI Officer. Mealo brings more than a decade of experience building and scaling AI-driven products.