Job alert: UNC system seeks first Chief AI Officer to lead 250K student network

The University of North Carolina System Office has announced it is hiring a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) to oversee AI strategy across its 17-campus network serving nearly 250,000 students. This appointment reflects a growing trend among U.S. universities to formalize AI leadership at the senior executive level as higher education institutions seek to harness artificial intelligence for operational efficiency and educational enhancement.

What you should know: The CAIO will report directly to the Chief Operating Officer and coordinate AI initiatives across the entire UNC system.

• The role focuses on identifying, planning, and implementing system-wide AI initiatives to enhance administrative efficiency, reduce operational costs, and improve educational outcomes.
• The position requires at least three days per week onsite at the Dillon Building in downtown Raleigh under a hybrid work arrangement.
• The CAIO will serve as a convenor of campus-level AI leads, data officers, and academic innovators to ensure coherent strategies and shared best practices.

The big picture: UNC’s move signals the maturation of AI governance in higher education, where universities are moving beyond experimental pilot programs toward systematic, institution-wide AI integration.

• The UNC System encompasses 16 universities plus the NC School of Science and Mathematics, along with affiliates including PBS North Carolina and the North Carolina Arboretum.
• The System Office executes policies from the UNC Board of Governors and provides leadership across academic affairs, financial management, planning, and student affairs.

Why this matters: Universities are recognizing that effective AI adoption requires dedicated executive leadership rather than ad hoc implementation across departments.

• The role emphasizes coordination and diplomacy across diverse institutions to embed consistent policies and approaches to AI.
• This strategic approach positions the UNC system to leverage AI’s potential while maintaining coherent governance across its large, multi-campus network.

Who else is involved: Other major universities are following similar paths to formalize AI leadership structures.

• Rice University recently launched a search for an Assistant Director for AI and Education, focused on leading faculty innovation pilots and embedding responsible AI into classroom practice.
• This trend suggests a broader shift toward treating AI integration as a strategic imperative requiring dedicated executive oversight rather than a technical implementation challenge.