With generative AI technology sparking a lot of interest in the market, data and modeling have become the focus of industry attention. Organizations are beginning to rethink and reframe their data strategies in terms of supporting the development of AI. In this process, the role of Chief Data Officers (CDOs) has become particularly prominent, and they have become a key force in driving organizational change and converging technology and management practices. This article first explores how organizations can achieve digital intelligence transformation from “business-driven” to “data-driven”. It outlines how CDOs are deployed in 2,500 large enterprises around the world and highlights the key role they play in organizations. The article further delves into the ten key responsibilities and tasks of CDOs, which cover the organization and management of data resources and the transformation of data value. In addition, the article discusses the organizational structure of the CDO team, both internal and external, and how these structures can assist the CDO in functioning more effectively. Finally, the article offers a series of recommendations aimed at helping society as a whole maximize the effectiveness of CDOs and provides concluding thoughts on the future development of CDOs. Through these analyses and recommendations, the article aims to provide a comprehensive perspective for understanding the importance of CDOs in the current data-driven era and offers guidance on how organizations can more effectively leverage the capabilities of CDOs.