While the role of the chief digital officer (CDO) is considered highly varied, Deloitte research suggests that chief digital officers recognize the need strong data strategyregardless of whether their organization's operating model is centralized or decentralized.
Deloitte noted that it is important for chief digital officers to set a clear direction for data movement within their organization to ensure a holistic approach to data and avoid common problems that arise from siled operations and duplication of effort.
According to Deloitte, a clear, documented and shared vision is a key tool in enabling chief digital officers to articulate how data should be used within their organization to improve performance and achieve the organization's strategic goals.
companies Chief Data Officer Survey 2025based on a survey of 81 CDOs, reported that 70% of respondents are either implementing artificial intelligence (AI) systems or conducting proof-of-concept pilot projects to understand its potential.
Deloitte noted that while few CDOs indicate that AI is currently transforming their organizations, the data shows a positive sign that CDOs are looking to move towards using AI, and therefore further development of AI capabilities is required to achieve this.
The study found that CDOs in organizations with higher perceived data management maturity Demonstrate a strategic shift towards using data to drive business value. More than two-thirds (67%) of respondents said their top priority is artificial intelligence or generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), reflecting a desire to leverage cutting-edge technologies. This is followed by data product development (56%), highlighting a focus on creating tangible, value-driven offerings based on their data assets.
For CDOs working in organizations with lower perceived data management maturity, 63% of CDOs consider data management a top priority, followed by data strategy (41%) and data quality (33%). Deloitte noted that these results illustrate the fundamental efforts required to create reliable and well-managed data assets.
Deloitte said that organizations with high data maturity tend to focus on hiring more skills in artificial intelligence, genetic artificial intelligence and machine learning to build technical capabilities as well as communications to be able to sell their products to the wider organization.
In organizations with low data maturity, the focus is on hiring change management, data engineering, and data culture talent, indicating further transformation that may occur on the path to achieving higher data maturity.
“Organizations are clearly doubling down on data, rapidly increasing data maturity and literacy “This positions the CDO role as a key and increasingly influential force within the C-suite to help drive sustainable growth,” said Andy Whitton, data, privacy and analytics partner at Deloitte.
Deloitte reported that when comparing priorities with last year, about a third of CDOs named data strategy as a top priority, and the same share recognized it as one of their top three priorities for 2025. The company noted that this sequence reflects the continued importance of data as a strategic asset for organizations to gain competitive advantage and remain at the forefront of digital transformation.
“Chief digital officers championing artificial intelligence and GenAI expect significantly faster results, particularly in the productivity area, highlighting the immediate impact these technologies can have,” Whitton said.
