In conversations with business owners, CEOs, and private equity leaders, one theme is clear: Because of AI, the COO of today won’t look much like the COO of 2030. Here’s why:
- AI is shifting decision-making from intuition to predictive insights
- Hybrid teams (humans + AI) are becoming the norm
- Speed, adaptability, and data fluency are now core competencies
- Risk management includes AI governance, compliance, and ethics
- Change management will move faster — with greater accuracy
- Culture must continue to focus on trust and esprit de corps – with AI as a new partner
- Teams will be redeployed into higher-value work
In short: the COO of the future will become more of a strategic orchestrator than a firefighter, focusing on shaping the future instead of constantly reacting to the present.
As a result of the pace of change, outsourcing the COO function is becoming more common, especially among startups and small-to-medium businesses seeking flexibility and cost-effectiveness. And across industries, some organizations are embracing hybrid COO models, blending traditional operational duties with strategic oversight – rather than outsourcing the role entirely – as a way of evolving toward a fully outsourced role. This model allows them to tap into high-level operational expertise without the cost and commitment of a full-time hire. Other benefits include flexibility, scalability, external perspective, speed in execution and access to seasoned specialists.
While not an exhaustive list, and with the help of AI, we’ve created this COO Today vs. COO in 2030 infographic to capture these differences. Some of you reading this have already experienced these changes. Others are still trying to prepare for what’s to come.
| COO Role | From (2025) | To (2030) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Operational Efficiency & Execution | Operational Intelligence & Orchestration |
| Decision Making | Historical Data and Intuition | Predictive, AI-Augmented Insights |
| Workforce Management | Human Workforce Optimization | Hybrid (Humans + AI + Automation) |
| Role in Strategy | Executes CEO’s Vision | Co-Creates Adaptive Strategy with AI |
| Pace of Change | Quarterly/Annual Adjustments | Continuous Micro-Adjustments |
| Data Fluency | Reads Reports | Fluent in AI/Data-Driven Tradeoffs |
| Technology Oversight | Systems Efficiency (CIO/CTO Lead) | Integrates AI Across All Functions |
| Risk & Compliance | Ops Risk, Supply Chain, Reporting | AI Risk, Data Privacy, Model Governance |
| Culture & Leadership | Efficiency, Alignment, Cost Control | Agility, Trust in AI, Reskilling |
| Success Metrics | Cost Savings, Efficiency, Margin Growth | Forecast Accuracy, AI Adoption, Speed, Ethics |
Where do you see the COO role heading in your industry? Will AI be a multiplier for operations — or a disruptor? And will you be ready?
Contact
For questions on this First Principles Brief, or if you’re thinking about how to evolve your leadership team or prepare your operations for what’s next, let’s book a time to chat.
Brent.Teiken@teikengramer.com
Phone: 701-306-5525
We’ve been through it. We’ll help you prepare for it.