US Department of Health and Human Services to Hire CDO and CAIO

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is looking to hire a Chief Data Officer (CDO) and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO), according to Steven Posnack, Deputy National Coordinator at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC).

In a LinkedIn post, Posnack revealed that the job postings will soon be posted on usajobs.gov.

The CAIO will lead AI technology initiatives at HHS. They will work together across HHS Operating Divisions and Staff Divisions to develop Department-level AI policy.  Similarly, the CDO at HHS will lead the strategy, implementation, planning, and execution of all organizational data operations. 

Both positions are based in Washington DC but HHS does allow remote work. Moreover, HHS will also open a job posting for Chief Technology Officer. 

Currently, Dr. Mahnaz Dean serves as the Acting CDO at HHS. She began her tenure at the HHS Office of CIO/Office of CDO in April 2022 as Deputy CDO, assuming the role of Acting CDO in December 2023.

Earlier this year, President Joe Biden issued an executive order, which instructed HHS and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to explore the potential of AI in advancing research on women's health. 

This directive aligns with their ongoing efforts to implement the administration's existing executive order on AI.  It specifically addresses the challenges surrounding the responsible deployment and utilization of AI and AI-enabled technologies within the health and human services sector, aiming to enhance women's health research.