Virtual Chief AI Officer
Remember how Virtual CIOs transformed IT leadership? We're doing the same for AI. Get C-level AI leadership without the C-level salary - for a predictable monthly investment.
Platform-agnostic expertise across 800+ AI tools - we recommend what's best for YOU, not what pays us commissions.
What is a Virtual Chief AI Officer?
A Virtual Chief AI Officer (VCAIO) provides your organization with experienced AI leadership on a fractional or advisory basis - giving you access to C-suite AI expertise without the full-time executive cost.
Our VCAIO service brings 28+ years of technology leadership experience to help you navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape, from strategy development to implementation and governance.
Unlike consultants focused on a single platform, we provide vendor-agnostic guidance across Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, and emerging AI technologies.
VCAIO vs Full-Time CAO
AI Platforms We Support
Vendor-agnostic expertise across all major AI platforms
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, GitHub Copilot
OpenAI / ChatGPT
GPT-4, ChatGPT Enterprise, Custom GPTs, Azure OpenAI
Anthropic Claude
Claude for enterprise, Claude API, Claude for Work
Google Gemini
Gemini Advanced, Vertex AI, Google Workspace AI
Perplexity AI
Enterprise search, knowledge management, research
xAI Grok
Real-time information, enterprise applications
VCAIO Service Offerings
Comprehensive AI leadership services tailored to your organization
AI Strategy & Roadmap
Develop comprehensive AI strategies aligned with business objectives
- AI maturity assessment
- Use case prioritization
- 12-24 month AI roadmap
- ROI modeling & business case
AI Governance Framework
Build enterprise-grade AI policies and compliance frameworks
- AI usage policies
- Data governance for AI
- Risk assessment frameworks
- Audit trails & compliance
Platform Selection & Implementation
Evaluate and deploy the right AI platforms for your needs
- Multi-platform evaluation
- Pilot program design
- Enterprise rollout planning
- Integration architecture
Change Management & Training
Drive adoption and maximize AI investment returns
- Executive education
- Employee enablement
- Champion programs
- Adoption metrics
Security & Privacy
Ensure AI deployments meet security and privacy requirements
- Data protection strategies
- Privacy impact assessments
- Vendor security reviews
- HIPAA/SOC 2/GDPR compliance
Ongoing Advisory
Continuous AI leadership and strategic guidance
- Monthly strategy sessions
- Emerging tech briefings
- Vendor relationship management
- Board-level reporting
Engagement Models
Flexible options to match your AI maturity and budget
Advisory
Strategic guidance on-demand
- • Monthly strategy sessions
- • Email/chat support
- • Quarterly board presentations
- • Policy review & updates
Best for: Organizations with internal AI resources
Fractional VCAIO
Part-time embedded leadership
- • 10-20 hours/month dedicated
- • Executive team integration
- • Project oversight
- • Vendor negotiations
Best for: Growing AI initiatives
Transformation
Full AI transformation program
- • Full strategy development
- • Implementation oversight
- • Team building & hiring
- • Transition to internal CAO
Best for: Enterprise AI transformation
Industry-Specific AI Expertise
Healthcare AI
HIPAA-compliant AI strategies for clinical and operational use cases.
- • Clinical documentation AI
- • Patient communication chatbots
- • Revenue cycle automation
Financial Services AI
SOC 2 compliant AI governance for regulated financial environments.
- • Risk analysis automation
- • Client communication AI
- • Compliance monitoring
Government AI
FedRAMP-aware AI strategies for public sector organizations.
- • Citizen services AI
- • Document processing automation
- • Secure AI deployment
Professional Services AI
AI strategies for law firms, consulting, and knowledge-intensive businesses.
- • Document review AI
- • Knowledge management
- • Client delivery automation
Why EPC Group for VCAIO?
800+ AI Tools Tested: We've hands-on evaluated over 800 AI tools, platforms, and solutions - so you don't have to. Our recommendations come from real experience, not vendor partnerships.
28+ Years Technology Leadership: Errin O'Connor, Chief AI Architect, brings nearly three decades of enterprise technology experience - including leading NASA's SharePoint and Azure implementations.
True Platform-Agnostic Expertise: We don't push Microsoft because we're a Microsoft partner. We recommend what actually works for YOUR use case - whether that's Claude, GPT-4, Gemini, or a specialized vertical AI solution.
Compliance-First Approach: HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and GDPR compliance built into every AI recommendation.
6,500+ Clients: Proven track record with Fortune 500 and mid-market organizations across healthcare, finance, and government.
Client Success Stories
See how our AI leadership has helped organizations navigate the AI revolution
"EPC Group transformed our data analytics with Power BI. We now have real-time visibility into patient outcomes and operational efficiency."
Sarah Johnson
Chief Technology Officer
HealthFirst Medical Group
"Power BI Premium implementation gave our 50 hospitals unified reporting. The ROI was realized in the first year."
Robert Williams
CFO
Regional Healthcare System
"EPC Groups Power BI dashboards give us real-time risk visibility across our entire portfolio. SOC 2 compliance was handled flawlessly."
Michael Chen
Chief Risk Officer
Capital Trust Bank
Ready to achieve similar results?
Get Started TodayFrequently Asked Questions
What is a Virtual Chief AI Officer (VCAIO)?
A Virtual Chief AI Officer (VCAIO) is a fractional or part-time executive role that provides enterprise AI strategy, governance, and implementation guidance without the cost of a full-time C-suite hire. Similar to how Virtual CIOs revolutionized IT leadership for mid-market companies, VCAIOs provide strategic AI leadership for organizations navigating the AI revolution. EPC Group's VCAIO service has evaluated 800+ AI tools and platforms to provide truly platform-agnostic recommendations.
How much does a VCAIO cost compared to hiring a full-time Chief AI Officer?
A full-time Chief AI Officer typically commands a salary of $300,000-$500,000+ annually, plus benefits, bonus, and equity. EPC Group's VCAIO service provides equivalent strategic leadership for a fraction of that cost - typically $5,000-$25,000 per month depending on engagement level. This gives organizations access to experienced AI leadership without the commitment of a permanent executive hire, and with the flexibility to scale up or down as needs change.
What AI platforms does your VCAIO team have expertise in?
Our VCAIO team has hands-on experience with 800+ AI tools and maintains expertise across all major platforms including Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI/ChatGPT, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, xAI Grok, and hundreds of specialized vertical AI solutions. We're platform-agnostic - we recommend what actually works best for your use case, not what pays us commissions. This includes enterprise deployments of AI assistants, coding AI, document AI, analytics AI, and custom AI agents.
Is Microsoft Copilot the best AI platform for enterprise?
Microsoft Copilot is one option among many, and it's not always the best choice. After evaluating 800+ AI tools, we've found that the "best" platform depends entirely on your specific use case, existing technology stack, compliance requirements, and budget. For some organizations, Claude excels at document analysis; for others, GPT-4 is better for customer-facing applications; and specialized vertical AI solutions often outperform general-purpose platforms. Our VCAIO service provides unbiased recommendations based on your actual needs.
What industries does your VCAIO service specialize in?
EPC Group's VCAIO service specializes in regulated industries where AI governance and compliance are non-negotiable: healthcare (HIPAA), financial services (SOC 2, SEC regulations), government (FedRAMP), and professional services (attorney-client privilege, fiduciary duties). We've helped 6,500+ clients implement compliant AI strategies. Our compliance-first approach ensures AI deployments meet regulatory requirements while maximizing business value.
What's the difference between a VCAIO and an AI consultant?
An AI consultant typically delivers a project with a defined scope and end date - like an AI strategy document or implementation project. A VCAIO provides ongoing strategic leadership, functioning as a true member of your executive team. Your VCAIO attends leadership meetings, participates in vendor negotiations, provides board-level reporting, and continuously guides AI initiatives as technology and business needs evolve. It's the difference between getting a report and getting a leader.
How do I know if my company needs a VCAIO?
Your organization likely needs a VCAIO if: (1) You're overwhelmed by AI vendor pitches and don't know who to trust; (2) Your team lacks AI expertise but leadership wants an AI strategy; (3) You've started AI initiatives without governance frameworks; (4) You operate in a regulated industry and need compliance-aware AI guidance; (5) You can't justify a $400K+ full-time Chief AI Officer; (6) You want platform-agnostic advice, not another Microsoft or Google sales pitch. Most organizations engaging EPC Group's VCAIO service see ROI within 90 days.
How quickly can you start as our VCAIO?
Unlike hiring a full-time executive (which can take 6+ months), EPC Group's VCAIO engagement can begin within 1-2 weeks of contract signing. Our onboarding process includes stakeholder interviews, technology audit, AI maturity assessment, and development of an initial 90-day roadmap. Within the first month, you'll have a clear AI strategy document, governance framework, and prioritized initiative list. Most clients see their first AI quick wins within 60 days.
Ready for AI Leadership?
Get expert AI guidance without the full-time executive cost. Schedule a VCAIO discovery call today.