The Case for CEO Ownership in Data/AI and Technology Initiatives - Altimetrik

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the role of the CEO taking the ownership in driving data and technology initiatives has become essential. Business leaders must no longer view these areas as purely technology but as strategic pillars that can unlock new channels for growth, operational efficiency, and innovation. As organizations increasingly adopt data-centric models and significant investments in technology, CEOs must take ownership to ensure these initiatives align with broader business goals, culture, and governance frameworks.

Why CEOs Must Lead the Charge

Research from McKinsey, Gartner, and Forrester consistently underscore the growing need for CEOs to actively engage in data and technology initiatives. According to Gartner’s 2024 CEO Survey, AI is now a top strategic priority for 34% of CEOs. This reflects a fundamental shift where technology is no longer siloed within IT departments but integrated into core business strategies. CEOs like Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan Chase exemplify this trend. Dimon has championed a $12 billion annual investment in data and technology, overseeing over 400 use cases, including fraud detection, customer service improvements, and operational efficiencies across the bank.

This active role isn’t limited to financial services. Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, is leading the pharmaceutical giant’s digital enablement by embedding AI in drug discovery and personalized medicine. Narasimhan’s leadership has positioned Novartis as both a data-driven and healthcare company, illustrating how CEOs can use technology to redefine traditional business models and industry boundaries.

Business Transformation is a CEO’s Responsibility

The importance of CEO involvement is further reinforced by research from Harvard Business School, which highlights that business transformation needs full organizational ownership. When leaders at the top of the organization adopt a hands-on approach, data and technology initiatives become more than just tools; they evolve into drivers of business strategy, reshaping decision-making processes, customer engagement, and operational models.

At JP Morgan Chase, Dimon’s leadership not only improves customer service but enhances the company’s competitive positioning in the rapidly transforming banking industry. Meanwhile, leaders like Brian Moynihan of Bank of America have successfully incorporated AI into customer interactions, exemplified by the success of the bank’s virtual assistant, Erica, which offers personalized financial advice and enhances customer experience. CEO leadership not only ensures the execution of key data/AI and technology projects but also drives growth and profitability.

The CEO as a Champion of Governance and Risk Management

Data-driven strategies offer huge potential, but they also present significant challenges, particularly in risk management and governance. IDC’s 2024 Worldwide CEO Survey highlights that CEOs are increasingly tasked with establishing AI governance frameworks to ensure transparency, ethical compliance, and data security. These frameworks are crucial as organizations face mounting regulatory scrutiny and cybersecurity threats.

For example, Charles Scharf, CEO of Wells Fargo, has placed a strong emphasis on modernizing the bank’s data infrastructure while incorporating AI into risk management practices. This approach not only mitigates regulatory risks but also improves the company’s ability to serve its customers efficiently and securely. CEOs like Scharf are demonstrating that effective AI adoption requires active leadership in governance and risk management.

Why CEOs Must Act Now

The message is clear: data and technology are not initiatives to be managed by IT departments — they are strategic assets that require the full attention and leadership of the CEO. As exemplified by business leaders like Jamie Dimon and Vas Narasimhan, successful data and technology integration depends on a CEO’s ability to align these technologies with broader business goals, establish governance frameworks, and ensure organizational-wide collaboration.

Today, businesses everywhere are facing mounting challenges—complexity and silos are holding them back. CEOs and leadership teams realize that this isn’t just a technology problem. It’s a business challenge that demands business ownership and engagement from the top, aligned with a clear strategy on business growth. Success comes from focusing on outcomes achieved outside of the complex technology landscape, working within each business’s unique environment. This business-led approach involves delivering incremental, scalable, and consistent improvements. By creating business assets that extend beyond organizational silos, companies can drive growth by removing existing constraints.

The market is converging around the idea that business ownership is essential for growth. For over a decade, Altimetrik has implemented our unique digital business methodology that surpasses traditional approaches. By taking ownership, we’ve driven a variety of outcomes and ROI across a diverse set of industries and businesses through a holistic and incremental approach. This tailored, customer-centric model matches each client’s needs and maturity, promoting speed, consistency, and scalability. This approach not only drives growth but also breaks down silos, enabling collaboration between business and technology teams.

As we move further into the age of a digital-centric culture, CEOs must seize the opportunity to drive these initiatives forward. The success of future business strategies will depend on the degree to which CEOs take ownership of data and technology’s transformative potential, ensuring it is fully integrated into their organizations’ DNA.