New study reveals what successful leaders are actually doing with AI

• Three-quarters of companies now have CAIOs, up from one-quarter
• After rewiring the C-suite, middle managers are now a major focus
• Workers also need upskilling and reskilling

A new study of 2,000 global CEOs by IBM has claimed AI is forcing companies to redesign their C-suite structures, decision-making processes and general operating models as businesses become increasingly automated.

In 2025, only one-quarter (26%) of the companies surveyed had Chief AI Officers (CAIOs), but this year it has flipped, with three-quarters (76%) now claiming to have a CAIO in post.