Chief Data and AI Officer Program

As organizations accelerate their AI and digital transformation journeys, the demand for leaders who can bridge data, AI, governance, and business strategy has never been greater. In just 6 months, this executive programme equips senior professionals with the technical expertise and executive leadership capabilities required to lead enterprise-wide data and AI initiatives.

This programme is delivered through a unique collaboration between IIIT Bangalore and IIM Udaipur, combining world-class technical education with business leadership excellence.

Program Highlights:

• IIIT-Bangalore (NAAC A+, NIRF Top 100) + IIM Udaipur (AACSB Accredited, NIRF Rank 21)
• Dual Executive Alumni status: IIIT-Bangalore + IIM Udaipur
• Built for senior data and analytics leaders targeting CDO and CDAO roles
• Technical depth on data architecture, GenAI, and Agentic AI paired with board-level business and leadership skills in one programme
• India's regulatory grid built into the curriculum - DPDP Act, RBI, SEBI, IRDAI - relevant for GCC and enterprise leaders alike
• Capstone: a Board-Ready Strategic Dossier - five executive artefacts a newly appointed CDO would actually need
• 2-day on-campus Data and AI Strategy Workshop at IIIT-Bangalore
• Peer cohort of senior data and AI leaders across industries

Apply Now   Download Brochure

This programme's unique learning journey will be covered in 2 phases:

IIIT-B Phase (13 weeks)

Data Strategy & Enterprise Architecture for the AI Age

Topics covered

• Diagnose enterprise data maturity across architecture, governance, talent, and AI-readiness
• Evaluate architectural choices - lakehouse, mesh, fabric, streaming - against business context and TCO
• Build-buy-partner decisions; TCO, vendor lock-in, multi-cloud strategy
• Build CDO operating scorecards covering data quality, AI adoption, governance, and business impact

Data Governance, Quality & India's Regulatory Grid

Topics covered

• Design a governance operating model with council composition, decision rights, and escalation paths
• Build an integrated compliance architecture across DPDP, RBI, SEBI, and IRDAI
• Construct cross-border data flow governance for GCC and multinational contexts
• Design governance cadences - monthly council, quarterly compliance, annual board report
• Data/AI cybersecurity, CDO-CISO relationship, and breach response governance

GenAI & Agentic AI: The Data Leader's Decision Playbook

Topics covered

• Evaluate foundation models on capability, cost, latency, and risk
• Assess data layer requirements for GenAI - RAG, context pipelines, semantic models
• Design governance architecture for Agentic AI - lineage, audit trails, incident response
• Post-deployment model monitoring: drift detection, performance tracking, model risk frameworks
• Evaluate AI vendors using structured scorecards covering TCO, lock-in, and exit strategy

AI Products, Scaling & Production AI Governance

Topics covered

• Design AI-native data products with data contracts, SLAs, and measurable adoption targets
• Close the pilot-to-production gap - data readiness, quality gates, cross-functional coordination
• Design AI CoE models - centralised, embedded, hub-and-spoke, federated
• Build a Responsible AI programme - bias detection, fairness auditing, EU AI Act, surveillance and consent

Bridge Session: IIIT-Bangalore

Topics covered

• Translate data and AI investments into business outcomes under time pressure
• Integrate Block 1 deliverables into a coherent business case
• Defend the case against a simulated board with peers playing CEO, CFO, CTO, and CHRO

IIM UDAIPUR Phase (10 weeks)

Economics of Data & AI: Investment, Monetisation & the Data P&L

Topics covered

• Value data assets using income, cost, and market approaches
• Construct a data function P&L with revenue lines, cost structure, and margin analysis
• Design monetisation models with unit economics, calibrated for Indian market reality
• Build CFO-facing investment cases - NPV, IRR, payback, EBITDA impact

Building the Data-First Organisation

Topics covered

• Diagnose cultural, structural, and political barriers to data transformation in your organisation
• Design data org models with role architecture, reporting lines, and data ownership resolution
• Build a change management roadmap for Indian enterprise contexts - informal authority networks, PSB and family-business cultures
• Deploy enterprise data literacy at scale - tiered learning paths, adoption metrics, executive sponsorship
• Navigate stakeholder dynamics - framing data value for non-technical executives, managing CTO conflicts, building informal authority

The CDO Mandate: Board Authority, Political Navigation & the First 100 Days

Topics covered

• Navigate CDO/CTO/CIO/CAIO dynamics and build coalitions using the CAIO coexistence framework
• Construct board-ready presentations for non-technical audiences and crisis communication plans for AI failures and DPDP penalties
• Design a 100-day CDAIO mandate plan - stakeholder mapping, quick wins, structural moves, office design
• Build your CDAIO-to-board pipeline - transitioning to advisory roles and independent directorship

Campus Immersion & Capstone | Weeks 24-25 |

• Identify high-impact data and AI opportunities aligned to business goals
• Evaluate data readiness, governance maturity, regulatory exposure, and AI feasibility
• Design the data layer and governance model for priority initiatives
• Map compliance requirements across DPDP, RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and cross-border data flows
• Build an implementation roadmap with phased milestones

1. What is the Chief Data & AI Officer (CDAIO) Programme?

The CDAIO Programme is an executive leadership programme designed for senior data, analytics, and technology professionals who aspire to lead enterprise-wide data and AI transformation. It combines IIIT Bangalore’s expertise in data architecture, AI, and governance with IIM Udaipur’s expertise in business strategy, data economics, and executive leadership, preparing participants for Chief Data Officer (CDO) and Chief Data & AI Officer (CDAIO) roles.

2. What should I expect from the CDAIO Programme?

You can expect a highly applied learning journey that helps you transition from managing data and analytics initiatives to leading enterprise-wide data and AI strategy. The programme includes live faculty sessions, peer learning, industry masterclasses, executive workshops, and the development of board-ready strategic deliverables.

3. What topics are covered in the programme?

The programme covers a comprehensive blend of technical, governance, and executive leadership topics, including:

• Enterprise Data Strategy
• Modern Data Architecture (Lakehouse, Data Mesh, Data Fabric)
• AI Governance & Responsible AI
• Data Privacy & Regulatory Compliance
• Data Economics & Monetization
• Executive Decision-Making
• Building and Leading Data Organizations
• Stakeholder & Board Management
• Enterprise Change & Transformation Leadership
• The First 100 Days of a CDO/CDAIO

4. Can I enroll only for specific modules?

No. The programme is designed as an integrated executive learning journey and cannot be taken as standalone modules.

5. What type of learning experience should I expect?

The programme offers a blended learning experience with live online sessions, case discussions, industry masterclasses, peer learning, executive workshops, and applied assignments. Participants also build a board-ready CDO Strategic Dossier using their organization's data.

6. What is the expected time commitment?

Participants should plan for approximately 7–8 hours per week to derive maximum value from the programme.

8. Who is this programme best suited for?

The programme is ideal for:

• Heads of Data, Analytics, BI, or AI
• Senior Technology & Digital Transformation Leaders
• Data Engineering & Platform Leaders
• AI & ML Leaders
• Consultants advising enterprises on data and AI transformation
• Professionals aspiring to CDO or CDAIO roles

9. Is there a minimum eligibility requirement?

Yes. Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution and have significant professional experience (typically 8+ years) in data, analytics, technology, consulting, or related leadership roles.

10. I already work in data or analytics. How will this programme help me?

The programme is designed specifically for experienced professionals who want to move from functional expertise to enterprise leadership. It helps you connect data and AI initiatives with business strategy, governance, economics, and board-level decision-making - capabilities that are critical for CDO and CDAIO roles.

11. What is the application process?

Interested candidates can submit an online application through the programme website. Applications are reviewed by the admissions committee, and eligible candidates receive an offer for enrolment.

12. What is the programme fee?

Please refer to the programme website for the latest fee details and available payment options.