Gartner: Why CDAOs Take Centre Stage as AI Strategy Leaders

While CIOs and CTOs have long been the faces of tech leadership, a new contender is rapidly reshaping the enterprise AI agenda: the Chief Data & Analytics Officer (CDAO).

That’s according to Gartner, with its research suggesting a quiet revolution is underway in C-suite circles across industries.

The study primarily emphasises that 70% of Chief Data and Analytics Officers (CDAOs) have the primary responsibility for building the AI strategy and operating model for the organisation.

A C-suite shake-up?

With CDAOs now the main drivers of AI strategy, Gartner showcases a dramatic shift from the days when data was a back-office concern. 

This correlates with the growing recognition that data — and the ability to harness it through AI — is now central to business competitiveness.

The stats back up this shift.

In 2025, Gartner finds that 36% of CDAOs report directly to the CEO, up from just 21% a year earlier. 

This upward trajectory underpins the notion that data leadership is no longer a support function but a strategic driver at the very heart of decision-making.

Sarah James, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, says: “2025 is a critical year for CDAOs, as AI presents a new opportunity for them to establish their rank in AI leadership.

“CDAOs’ exposure across the organisation — combined with their AI-ready data expertise — positions them uniquely to lead, guide and challenge their respective organisations to successfully deliver value from AI.

“This is making the CDAO’s role pivotal to AI success. No other role has the opportunity to make the necessary connections and be at the centre of the D&A and AI coalition of the willing.”

Gartner’s stand-out stats on AI strategy 

With AI investments accelerating, boards and CEOs are demanding measurable business impact. 

Gartner predicts that by 2027, three out of four CDAOs not seen as essential to AI success will lose their C-level status. 

The message is clear: CDAOs must deliver tangible value, or risk being sidelined.

Align with this stark message, Garner’s survey reveals that the CDAO role has become more established and strategic because of the complexity and ubiquity of data, along with its use and value.

How the CDAO will evolve

Off the back of the study, Gartner analysts see the CDAO role diverging into three key areas.

• The expert data and analytics Leader: Seen as the central data authority, the D&A leader oversees business intelligence, master data management and reporting, often reporting to IT. This role ensures a holistic, organisation-wide view of data
• The connector CDAO: This is the orchestrator who bridges gaps between C-suite executives and data/AI teams, embedding analytics into products and services and driving the AI agenda forward
• The pioneer CDAx: Gartner pins this executive as a transformation agent who combines data, analytics and AI leadership, championing ethical principles, governance and cross-functional innovation.

Each path demands new skills, from business acumen and communication to technical expertise and change management.

“D&A leadership will continue to diverge in the near future and existing and aspiring CDAOs should develop their skills and expertise that align with their chosen path,” Sarah adds.

“This will help them to enhance their role and place in AI leadership.”

The stats are all well and good, but how does Gartner suggest this information goes from research to practice?

The message from Gartner is clear: CDAOs who evolve-embracing new skills will shape the future of enterprise AI. 

Those who don’t may find themselves left behind.

It also emphasises that the era of the CDAO as a quiet, back-office operator is over. 

Now, the most successful CDAOs will be the architects of AI-driven transformation, steering their organisations toward measurable, sustainable value.

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