Autodesk Appoints Mike Kelly as CIO to Lead AI Adoption
"As Autodesk prepares for its next chapter of growth, AI is reshaping how enterprises operate, and we are moving proactively to lead in that moment."
Autodesk, a design and engineering software company, has announced the appointment of Mike Kelly as its new Chief Information Officer, effective April 13, 2026, in a move the company framed directly around AI execution and enterprise technology leadership.
The appointment was announced by Steve Blum, Autodesk's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
"As Autodesk prepares for its next chapter of growth, AI is reshaping how enterprises operate, and we are moving proactively to lead in that moment," Blum said in the announcement.
He also said that bringing on a dedicated CIO strengthens their enterprise technology leadership and execution, building the foundation that enables Autodesk to move faster, execute with confidence, and deliver AI-driven, high-impact outcomes for customers.
According to the press release, Kelly's remit covers enterprise technology strategy, AI adoption, and the digital employee experience.
Autodesk placed AI adoption at the centre of the CIO mandate rather than treating it as one item among many infrastructure priorities. The appointment fills a position that did not previously exist as a dedicated role at Autodesk.
Kelly joins from Andreessen Horowitz, where he served as Operating Partner and was the firm's first CIO, a role he built from the ground up.
Prior to a16z, he held CIO positions at Red Hat and McKesson, giving him experience across software, healthcare technology, and now one of the world's largest design software companies.
His background spans AI, cybersecurity, data and analytics, and workplace experience, a range that maps directly to the scope Autodesk has outlined for the role.
Autodesk serves architects, engineers, manufacturers, and media professionals through products including AutoCAD, Revit, and Fusion.
The company has been investing in AI capabilities across its product portfolio, and the Kelly appointment suggests the internal technology infrastructure required to support that strategy now needs equivalent executive focus.