What does each option cost?
Full-time Chief AI Officer roles command senior-executive total compensation, often with equity, plus a multi-month search and ramp. Fractional engagements are commonly structured as fixed-fee projects or monthly retainers — a fraction of full-time cost — because you’re buying focused senior time, not a salaried headcount.
Exact economics vary by scope and market; the point is altitude and speed, not a quote.
When does a full-time hire make sense?
Bring on a full-time CAIO once AI is core to your business, multiple teams depend on it, and you have a sustained roadmap that justifies a permanent executive — and once you’ve proven enough ROI to defend the cost.
When does fractional win?
Fractional is the better bet when you have one or two workflows worth shipping, need to prove ROI before committing to a permanent hire, and want to start in weeks rather than quarters. It de-risks the decision: you get senior ownership now and can scale to full-time later if the results justify it.
Stuck on exactly this? Start with a free AI-readiness score.
Seven questions, a real score, and a one-page next step — before you talk to anyone.