Latest news with #GartnerFellow
Al Bawaba
07-05-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Gartner Survey Reveals That CEOs Believe Their Executive Teams Lack AI Savviness
Only 44% of CIOs are deemed by their CEOs to be 'AI-savvy' according to a survey by Gartner, Inc. The Gartner CEO and Senior Business Executive Survey of 456 CEOs and other senior business executives worldwide was conducted from June to November 2024 and measured CEO's perceptions of the c-suite. The survey revealed that 77% of CEOs believe AI is ushering in a new business era, yet they feel their organization's leading technology experts lack the knowledge and capabilities to support, drive, or accelerate business outcomes in this evolving landscape. 'We have never seen such a disproportionate gap in CEOs' impressions about technological disruption,' said David Furlonger, Distinguished VP Analyst and Gartner Fellow. 'AI is not just an incremental change from digital business. AI is a step change in how business and society work. A significant implication is that, if savviness across the C-suite is not rapidly improved, competitiveness will suffer, and corporate survival will be at stake.' CEOs perceived even the CIO, chief information security officer (CISO), and chief data officer (CDO) as lacking AI savviness. CEOs' concern about the technology savviness of their C-suite is not new. The 2019-2020 Gartner CEO survey showed that CEOs' assessment of their executives' technology savviness required for the digital era was suboptimal (see Figure 1). Figure 1: CEOs' Perceptions of C-Suite's AI Savviness (2025 to 2026) and Tech Savviness (2019 to 2020) Source: Gartner (May 2025) Limiting Factors Impacting AI's Deployment CEOs highlighted that the top two limiting factors impacting AI's deployment and use are the inability to hire adequate numbers of skilled people and an inability to calculate value or outcomes. "CEOs have shifted their view of AI from just a tool to a transformative way of working,' said Jennifer Carter, Principle Analyst at Gartner. 'This change has highlighted the importance of upskilling. As leaders recognize AI's potential and its impact on their organizations, they understand that success isn't just about hiring new talent. Instead, it's about equipping their current employees with the skills needed to seamlessly incorporate AI into everyday tasks.' This focus on upskilling is a strategic response to AI's evolving role in business, ensuring that the entire organization can adapt and thrive in this new paradigm. Sixty-six percent of CEOs said their business models are not fit for AI purposes, according to the survey. Executives must, therefore, build and improve AI savviness related to every mission-critical priority. Gartner clients can read more in "2025 CEO Survey — The Year of Dynamic Capacity." Additional details can also be found in the complimentary Gartner webinar 'CIOs: 4 Key Elements to Accelerate Your CEO's 2025 Growth Agenda.'
Techday NZ
06-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Only 44% of CIOs seen as AI-savvy by CEOs, survey finds
A recent survey by Gartner has revealed that only 44% of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are viewed by their Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) as being "AI-savvy." The Gartner CEO and Senior Business Executive Survey gathered responses from 456 CEOs and other senior executives around the world between June and November 2024, focusing on CEO perceptions of their organisation's executive teams regarding artificial intelligence (AI). According to the survey, 77% of CEOs believe that AI is ushering in a new era of business. Despite this, a considerable number of CEOs do not believe that their technology leadership—particularly their CIOs, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), and Chief Data Officers (CDOs)—possess the necessary knowledge and capabilities to support, drive, or accelerate business outcomes amid rapid AI evolution. David Furlonger, Distinguished Vice President Analyst and Gartner Fellow, commented on these findings, stating, "We have never seen such a disproportionate gap in CEOs' impressions about technological disruption. AI is not just an incremental change from digital business. AI is a step change in how business and society work. A significant implication is that, if savviness across the C-suite is not rapidly improved, competitiveness will suffer, and corporate survival will be at stake." The survey noted that CEO concerns over the technology expertise of their executive teams are not new. In the 2019–2020 iteration of the Gartner CEO survey, CEOs already considered their executive teams' technological knowledge insufficient for the demands of the digital era. The latest findings indicate that this perceived gap in executive preparedness is widening as AI takes on a more transformative role. Among the primary barriers to effective AI deployment identified by CEOs were the organisation's inability to hire a sufficient number of skilled individuals, as well as challenges in calculating value and outcomes associated with AI initiatives. These issues are seen as the top two limiting factors hampering advancement and utilisation of AI in business contexts. Jennifer Carter, Principal Analyst at Gartner, elaborated on how CEO perspectives are shifting in response to AI: "CEOs have shifted their view of AI from just a tool to a transformative way of working. This change has highlighted the importance of upskilling. As leaders recognize AI's potential and its impact on their organizations, they understand that success isn't just about hiring new talent. Instead, it's about equipping their current employees with the skills needed to seamlessly incorporate AI into everyday tasks." This emphasis on upskilling is part of a broader strategic effort as organisations seek to adapt and thrive within the changing business environment. According to the survey, 66% of CEOs reported that their current business models are not sufficiently fit for purposes involving AI, underscoring the necessity for improved AI understanding and capability across all mission-critical priorities. The study also suggests that C-suite executives, beyond those in technology roles, require greater education and training in AI-related competencies as CEO expectations increase and AI becomes more integrated into overall business strategy. The findings are expected to inform business leaders, human resources departments, and executive teams about the growing importance of AI proficiency and adaptability within their organisations, particularly with respect to technology adoption and implementation leadership. These results are included in the broader Gartner research programme titled "2025 CEO Survey — The Year of Dynamic Capacity," which explores how senior executives are addressing challenges and opportunities arising from technological and societal changes.
Techday NZ
22-04-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Cybersecurity seen by 85% of CEOs as critical for business growth
A new global survey has found that 85% of CEOs consider cybersecurity a critical factor for business growth. The Gartner CEO and Senior Business Executive Survey, conducted with 456 CEOs and senior executives worldwide between June and November 2024, highlights the shifting view of cybersecurity from a solely defensive measure to a key enabler of strategic business objectives. According to the survey, 61% of CEOs expressed concern about cybersecurity threats. This concern is attributed in large part to the increased presence of artificial intelligence in commercial activities and ongoing political debates regarding the sourcing and use of advanced technologies. David Furlonger, Distinguished Vice President Analyst and Gartner Fellow, said: "Cybersecurity is no longer just about protection; it's a critical driver for business growth. With 85% of CEOs recognising its importance, security leaders have a unique opportunity to demonstrate the value of cybersecurity investments not only in safeguarding assets but also in enabling strategic business objectives." Furlonger further commented on the importance of communication between CEOs and security leadership. "Effective communication is key," said Furlonger. "CEOs should highlight the role of security leaders in both protecting the business and enhancing cybersecurity to drive growth." "This involves, for example, assessing risks in foreign markets and intellectual property protection. Security leaders are positioned to significantly influence value generation, and they should communicate how cybersecurity aids enterprise growth." The findings indicate a shift in the perceived risk threshold among business leaders, who now see direct links between robust cybersecurity capabilities and the ability to compete and grow in the market. Recent regulatory changes and the escalating threat landscape are contributing factors behind this correlation, with CEOs viewing strong cybersecurity as essential for maintaining competitiveness. The survey data also revealed that CEOs are increasingly expected to address cybersecurity issues in the context of business expansion, including evaluating risks tied to foreign markets and the protection of intellectual property. This reflects a growing awareness of how digital security risks can impact a company's trajectory and market position. Gartner's analysis suggests that the evolving role of security leaders is becoming more deeply integrated with core business strategy. The research notes that security is now being reframed as both a protective measure and a means to generate business value, influencing decisions around market expansion and safeguarding innovation. The survey findings are further outlined in Gartner's publication, '2025 CEO Survey — The Year of Dynamic Capacity'. The report explores the new responsibilities of cybersecurity leaders and emphasises the necessity of aligning security strategy with overall business objectives to support company growth. Gartner's research also highlights the growing complexity CEOs face as regulatory environments evolve and advanced threats emerge. Companies are responding by investing not only in traditional protection measures but also in security strategies designed to enable operational flexibility and facilitate new business opportunities. The survey results underscore a broader trend in which cybersecurity is treated as a foundational element for market strategy, particularly as technology and data management issues rise to the forefront of corporate agendas worldwide. The full findings, including further analysis and guidance for organisations, are available through Gartner's resources for cybersecurity and business leaders.
