About the position
The State of Montana Department of Administration, State Information Technology Services Division (SITSD) is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) to guide Montana into the next generation of digital government. This executive-level role involves setting and implementing a statewide AI strategy, advancing ethical AI use, and building a cross-sector AI Community of Practice that includes state agencies, schools, tribal governments, universities, and private-sector innovators. The CAIO will report directly to the State CIO and play a key leadership role in developing secure, compliant, and high-impact AI solutions that improve public services and make government more responsive to Montana’s citizens. The position will evolve to include staff management as the strategic AI vision is implemented statewide.
Responsibilities
- Leading the Montana AI Community of Practice (AICoP) to foster collaboration, training, and knowledge-sharing across sectors.
- Designing and operating an AI Innovation Sandbox—a secure environment for prototyping AI solutions.
- Leading the development and execution of an AI literacy program within the State.
- Accelerating the deployment of AI use cases that retire legacy systems and create measurable public value.
- Publishing a statewide AI Strategy and tracking key performance indicators including literacy rates, pilot successes, and compliance metrics.
- Issuing tools and templates to guide agencies through responsible AI procurement and implementation.
- Maintaining a secure work environment and fostering a culture of security.
Requirements
- Bachelor's in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or related technical field.
- Two (2) years total experience in AI, data science, or related technologies.
- Minimum 5-10 years in leadership roles.
- Proven experience driving large-scale strategic technology initiatives.
Nice-to-haves
- Deep understanding of artificial intelligence concepts.
- Knowledge of AI governance frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework and other relevant standards, laws, and regulations.
- Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and modern data architectures that support AI development.
- Knowledge of organizational change management and strategic planning in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Benefits
- Work/life Balance
- Health Coverage
- Retirement plans
- Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.
