This may sound aggressive, but it’s where we are:

If your company doesn’t have a “Chief Product Officer” for internal AI transformation, you’re already behind.

That title doesn’t have to be literal. But the function needs to exist—someone senior who treats your internal workflows like a product roadmap, and owns the adoption, deployment, and performance of AI across the org.

This isn’t optional anymore. It’s not a “nice to have.” It’s the strategy.

AI Is Product Strategy, Just Pointed Inward

We all know how product roadmaps work externally:

• Prioritize the biggest customer needs
  
  
• Sequence features to deliver value fast
  
  
• Measure adoption and outcomes
  
  
• Iterate constantly
  
  

Now apply that internally.

Your sales process is a product.
Your finance function is a product.
Your marketing workflow is a product.

Who’s redesigning those products with AI?
Who’s tracking the performance uplift?
Who’s sequencing change so the org doesn’t stall?

If the answer is “no one” or “some cross-functional effort,” you’ve got a leadership vacuum.

What This Role Actually Does

Think of it as the Chief AI Enablement Officer (again, title is irrelevant—function is critical).

They are responsible for:

• Mapping all major workflows and use cases across the business
  
  
• Prioritizing where AI can drive the most meaningful lift
  
  
• Rolling out tools and training in waves (just like product features)
  
  
• Measuring success based on business KPIs (not usage metrics)
  
  
• Working across departments to integrate tools into how people already work
  
  

They’re not just a tech lead. They’re a business transformation leader.

Internal AI Transformation Is a Product Function

This role isn’t about standing up more dashboards or running another lunch-and-learn. It’s about building the systems and scaffolding that allow AI to generate real compounding advantage.

Because the companies that figure this out don’t just move faster.

They:

• Grow revenue with fewer people
  
  
• Capture more margin
  
  
• Innovate faster than their competitors
  
  
• Retain talent that doesn’t want to waste time on grunt work
  
  

Who Should It Report To?

Short-term: CEO, COO, or CTO
Long-term: Distributed across leaders—but always with one core roadmap owner

This person isn’t buried in IT or analytics. They’re a core strategic operator. And they’re worth their weight in revenue.

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