AI is now a permanent topic in the boardroom, but not every board has the right expertise to turn that conversation into a coherent plan. Your company may already be experimenting with AI models or exploring automation, but without a clear strategy and governance framework these activities can quickly pull you away from your intended direction.
A fractional Chief Product and Technology Officer, or CPTO, can help shape these ideas into a sustainable and governed approach. This role brings senior experience at the point where you need it most, without the cost or complexity of a full-time appointment.
Why AI strategy has become so difficult to steer
Every company is being told to have an AI strategy. Consultants, investors, and even regulators now expect to see one. Yet many strategies amount to a list of pilots or tools rather than a clear description of how AI will support the business model.
Research by McKinsey in 2025 found that only 23% of organisations report “clear and measurable value” from their AI investments, even though more than 70% claim to have adopted AI in some form. The gap is not about technology. It is about leadership, context, and focus.
Have you noticed how easily teams begin new AI projects, but how rarely those projects scale or deliver consistent results? That is a symptom of enthusiasm without alignment.
A fractional CPTO gives your company a way to test and structure innovation before it becomes unwieldy. The role exists to bring order to experimentation.
Governance and direction without bureaucracy
Boards often say that they have “AI policies” in place, yet when asked to evidence those policies, few can do so. Policies are only meaningful when they can be shown to guide day-to-day decisions.
A fractional CPTO can help you close that gap. We can:
- Define clear lines of accountability for data and model decisions
- Establish governance that your teams can actually follow
- Make sure the board receives evidence of compliance and impact
Each of these elements gives your company a way to demonstrate that innovation is being managed responsibly, without slowing it down. Good governance creates freedom by clarifying what is acceptable and what is not.
Knowing when to move forward, and when to pause
AI strategy is not only about what to build; it is about what to defer. In many organisations, the hardest decision is to pause or reject an initiative that looks exciting but lacks strategic value.
A fractional CPTO helps your board exercise that judgement. Because we work across multiple sectors, we can recognise patterns of risk and opportunity that may not be visible from within your company. For example, we can help you decide when generative AI will truly benefit your customers, and when it is simply adding complexity.
When was the last time your board reviewed its technology roadmap and asked whether every project still fits your current risk appetite?
Evidence and credibility during investment and due diligence
Investors and potential partners now expect to see evidence of AI governance during technical due diligence. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and the EU AI Act both emphasise traceability and accountability in model management. Your company’s ability to demonstrate this discipline can influence valuation and trust.
A fractional CPTO can prepare you for that scrutiny. We can document your architecture, clarify the ownership of key decisions, and ensure that the evidence your board relies on is verifiable. This not only supports compliance but also strengthens your position in negotiation.
When external experience adds internal strength
There are moments when your company does not need a full-time CPTO, but cannot afford to go without strategic leadership. Fractional engagement fills that gap. You may need support for a defined programme, an interim phase of transformation, or to prepare for an investment round. In each case, fractional leadership allows you to bring in deep expertise for the period that matters most.
At DigitalTeddy, we work alongside boards and founders to design AI strategies that are governed, defensible, and commercially sound. We help you make technology serve business outcomes, and not the other way round.
Taking the next step
AI will not slow down to match your company’s readiness. The question is whether your leadership has the structure to guide it responsibly. A fractional CPTO provides that structure while allowing your board to retain flexibility. If your company is starting to feel the strain of multiple AI initiatives or unclear governance, this is the time to act; we can help you assess where you stand, define what good looks like, and guide you to it.