The 3 Roles Every Business Needs to Make AI Work

Running a business is already tough. Trying to figure out AI on top of that? Feels impossible.

But before you give up on the tech, I want to show you the three roles that make AI actually work inside your business.

And the best part? You don’t need a full new team. You just need clarity on who does what.

Let’s break it down.

Why Roles Matter More Than Titles

Most businesses don’t have the budget or space to hire three new people. That’s normal. But skipping these roles? That’s where AI fails.

You can wear multiple hats. You might be the fractional Chief AI Officer, setting the vision…and also the AI Lead, building the tools.

It’s not about job titles—it’s about making sure the work gets done. W hen these three roles are covered—even by one person—AI starts delivering real results.

1. Chief AI Officer (CAIO) – The Strategist

This role is all about vision and direction.

You (or someone) needs to say:

• “Here’s how AI fits into our business.”

• “Here’s what we want it to do.”

• “Here’s how we’ll know it’s working.”

No coding required. Just leadership, clarity, and a business-first mindset.

But having a vision isn’t enough...

2. AI Solutions Lead – The Builder

This is the person who takes the vision and makes it real.

They know:

• Which tools to use

• How to prompt them

• How to connect them into workflows

This might be a tech-savvy team member. A freelancer. Or even a custom GPT you’ve set up.

But here’s the twist—most businesses stop here. And they fail.

3. AI Operations Lead – The Integrator

This is the most overlooked role—and the most important.

Their job is to:

• Keep the tools running

• Ensure they’re used daily

• Monitor results and make tweaks

No coding here either—just consistency. This could be your admin, your manager… or again, you.

When this role is covered, AI becomes part of your daily operations—not just a shiny new tool.

When the Roles Click, AI Works

One of my clients started by being the CAIO. Two weeks in, their admin stepped into the Ops Lead role. The result? They saved over 10 hours a week on repetitive tasks—just by defining roles.

Simple shift. Massive impact.

Quickfire Myths

“Do I need a tech team?” Nope. You need role clarity—not complexity.

“What if I’m solo?” Then wear the hats. But know which hat you’re in.

“Isn’t this overkill?” Only if you like wasting time and money.

What You Can Do Right Now

Grab a piece of paper. Write these three roles down:

• CAIO

• Solutions Lead

• Ops Lead

  
  

Now ask: Who’s doing what in your business? If one role is missing, fill the gap—even if it’s just for 2 hours a week.