White House Directs Federal Agencies to Appoint Chief AI Officers

​On April 7, 2025, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a directive requiring all federal agencies to appoint Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers (CAIOs). This mandate is part of the administration's broader strategy to enhance the responsible and effective use of AI technologies within government operations. The directive, titled "Accelerating Federal Use of AI through Innovation, Governance, and Public Trust," outlines specific responsibilities for these officers, including overseeing AI integration, ensuring ethical standards, and managing associated risks. ​

In addition to appointing CAIOs, the directive instructs agencies to establish AI governance boards to coordinate and regulate AI applications across departments. These boards are tasked with implementing minimum-risk management practices for high-impact AI uses and developing policies specifically addressing generative AI technologies. Agencies are also required to publicly disclose their AI use cases annually, particularly those involving systems that affect public safety, rights, or critical infrastructure.

This initiative reflects the administration's commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring the ethical and accountable use of AI technologies in federal operations. By designating CAIOs and establishing governance structures, the government aims to enhance transparency, mitigate risks, and promote public trust in its AI endeavors. Agencies are expected to implement these measures promptly, with the OMB overseeing compliance and facilitating interagency coordination through a newly formed Chief AI Officer Council.