As artificial intelligence initiatives move from experimentation to enterprise deployment, organizations are continuing to formalize AI leadership roles. This month’s CAIO appointments demonstrate how companies are investing in governance, responsible implementation, and practical AI adoption strategies designed to deliver measurable business value.
Today, AI Leaders Council will highlight 13 CAIOs and VPs that accepted new positions in May 2026.
Google Appoints Anshul Sheopuri as VP, Global HR Operations and AI Innovation
Google has appointed Anshul Sheopuri as Vice President, Global HR Operations and AI Innovation, reinforcing its focus on integrating artificial intelligence into people processes and workforce decision-making. In his new role, Sheopuri will oversee global HR operations while driving the use of AI and data analytics across people processes.
AWS Announces Shawn Bice as VP of AI Services
Microsoft security exec, Shawn Bice, is returning to Amazon Web Services as VP of AI Services, leading the company’s Automated Reasoning Group as AWS doubles down on making AI agents more reliable.
Honeywell Aerospace Announces Ash Dhupar as Chief AI & Data Officer
Honeywell Aerospace has appointed Ash Dhupar as Chief AI & Data Officer. Prior to this appointment, Dhupar served as Chief Data and Analytics Officer (CDAO) at Analog Devices, where he led enterprise data and AI initiatives.
Smartsheet Names Drew Garner as First CAIO
Smartsheet has named Drew Garner as its first Chief AI Officer, adding a new executive role as enterprise software companies expand AI deployment across operational workflows. Garner previously worked with Smartsheet CEO Rajeev “Raj” Singh at healthcare technology company Accolade, where Garner later became CTO during Singh’s tenure as CEO.
Commonwealth Bank Appoints Mary-Anne Williams as First Chief AI Scientist
Commonwealth Bank (CommBank) has appointed Professor Mary-Anne Williams as its first Chief AI Scientist following an extensive global search. Professor Williams is one of Australia’s most internationally recognized AI researchers, with deep expertise spanning AI, agentic AI, human-AI collaboration, decision-making and innovation. She joins CommBank from UNSW, where she is currently the Michael J Crouch Chair for Innovation, Founder and Lead of the UNSW Business AI Lab, and Deputy Director of the UNSW AI Institute.
Media Consulting Group Appoints Gali Davidi as CAIO
Media Consulting Group (MCG), a buy-side programmatic activation partner, announced the appointment of Gali Davidi as Chief AI Officer (CAIO). Gali, a distinguished AI strategist and engineering leader, joins the company to spearhead its AI roadmap and accelerate the deployment of agentic technologies designed to transform how advertisers and agencies acquire programmatic media at scale.
Ben Durham-Kilcullen Joins Ondaro as First CAIO
Ondaro announced the appointment of Ben Durham-Kilcullen as its first Chief AI Officer. In this role, he will lead the company’s AI strategy and evolve how Ondaro delivers measurable value for clients. Durham-Kilcullen joins from outside the ServiceNow ecosystem, bringing more than a decade of experience as an engineer and data scientist across regulated industries, including healthcare, higher education, and financial services.
Hayley Harris Joins Pinsent Masons as Global Chief Knowledge and AI Adoption Officer
Hayley Harris is set to join Pinsent Masons as the international law firm’s global chief knowledge and AI adoption officer. Harris was previously at BCLP and worked under global chief knowledge officer, Judy Mackenzie Stuart, who has now retired.
Framestore Promotes Theo Jones to Creative Director of AI
Framestore has promoted Theo Jones to the newly created role, Creative Director of AI. As Creative Director of AI, Jones’s brief is to pioneer new storytelling possibilities for directors, brands, and clients through VFX. His role focuses on bridging the gap between rapidly evolving AI technologies and the requirements of high-end film production, advertising, episodic, and immersive experiences.
N-able Appoints Nicole Reineke as CAIO
N‑able, Inc. announced strategic leadership appointment of Nicole Reineke as Chief AI Officer. As Chief AI Officer, Nicole Reineke will lead N‑able’s applied AI strategy across its product portfolio and partner ecosystem, with a focus on delivering practical, outcome‑driven innovation that enables businesses to operate more efficiently and securely at scale.
Cutter Brenton Joins Tyto Athene as CAIO
Cutter Brenton has been announced as the new Chief AI Officer (CAIO) at Tyto Athene, LLC. In this role, Brenton will serve as Tyto’s enterprise authority on artificial intelligence, managing all aspects of AI strategy, development and innovation across the company’s programs and leading Tyto’s Technology Accelerator Lab for Operational Needs (TALON).
Albert Chan Joins Rowland AI as President and CAIO
Rowland AI, the AI platform transforming workflows for land and energy companies, announced the appointment of Albert Chan as President and Chief AI Officer. In this role, Chan will lead all core business functions, including product innovation, AI strategy, platform expansion, and growth.
WTW Appoints Spike Lipkin as CAIO and Gordon Wintrob as Head of AI Acceleration
WTW appointed Spike Lipkin as Chief AI Officer and Gordon Wintrob as Head of AI Acceleration. Both leaders join from Newfront, which WTW acquired in January 2026. Lipkin, co-founder and former CEO of Newfront, built the industry’s largest AI-powered brokering platform and led its integration into WTW. Wintrob, Newfront’s co-founder and former CTO, played an instrumental role in building and scaling the company’s technology capabilities.