What It’s Really Like Being a CDO in 2025

Episode notes

In this episode of Data Analytics Chat , host Ben Parker sits down with Aaron Hand, Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at ArcelorMittal, to reveal what life is really like in the C-suite. With a career spanning UBS, Holcim, and now leading AI strategy at one of the world’s largest manufacturing companies, Aaron shares candid insights on the challenges, pressures, and strategic thinking required to succeed as a modern CDO or CAIO. You'll discover: What a typical day looks like at the CDO/CAIO level How to juggle innovation, governance, and business delivery Why many CDOs don’t last more than 18 months - and how to survive The power of domain knowledge, adaptability, and knowing your blind spots How a WhatsApp idea revolutionised cement sales Why “AI-first” needs to be more than a buzzword A must-listen for data professionals, leaders, and anyone eyeing the C-suite in data & AI.

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