At the same time, CIOs may see a proliferation of new titles that would likely answer to them, Muehlberger says. For example, organizations may create more and more chief AI officer positions and other such roles as new disruptive technologies come along and have those new jobs report to the CIO.
Muehlberger says he doesn’t expect the CAIO and other such new titles to displace the CIO, however. He says they might also be relatively short-lived positions in many organizations, as they get created to seize on learning and adopting the new technology before all of that gets folded back into routine IT operations and, thus, the list of CIO responsibilities.
“It always comes back to the CIO,” Muehlberger adds.
Meanwhile, the CIOs of tomorrow can expect to see their career options expand, too, with the position becoming a step to the CEO spot and board membership.
This year’s Hall of Famer inductees are on that path already.
O’Neill, for example, remains on retainer with Suddath to ensure a smooth transition between him and his successor. He’s also a principal at RedHands Partners, which offers advisory and other services. He says he is interested in more advisory work and board positions.
Kozik, who works with a nonprofit that builds workforce development programs in IT for unemployed or underemployed youth, is interested in board work, too.
