A full-time AI officer runs $250,000 to $460,000 in cash compensation at companies between $1 billion and $5 billion in revenue. Most mid-market firms cannot justify that, so the seat stays empty and a committee absorbs the accountability by default. Blackbox Zero now offers that seat on a fractional basis, accountable for moving AI into production, driving ROI, and defending every deployment decision under board and regulatory scrutiny.

Chris Cook has been named an Operating Partner at Altos Equity Partners. The role deepens Blackbox Zero's visibility into how investors pressure-test AI and data governance during diligence — and feeds directly into sharper, faster advisory work for clients building AI capabilities responsibly.