CIOs prioritise AI integration amid challenges

Lenovo reveals that Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are keen to advance the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within their organisations, alongside a strong emphasis on cybersecurity. This shift reflects a broader trend wherein CIOs are increasingly evaluated based on business outcomes rather than just operational maintenance.

The survey, which involved 750 CIOs globally, highlights that 81% of respondents are already leveraging third-party AI tools or deploying a combination of third-party and proprietary AI solutions. This underscores a significant pivot in CIOs’ responsibilities towards leveraging innovative technologies like AI and machine learning to drive organisational success. In fact, 51% of CIOs identified AI and cybersecurity as their top priorities, recognising their pivotal role in shaping future business strategies.

Despite widespread enthusiasm about AI’s transformative potential — 80% of CIOs believe it will significantly impact their businesses — integration poses notable challenges. Adoption speed and security concerns emerge as major obstacles, with substantial portions of organisations ill-prepared to swiftly integrate AI into their operations. Specifically, CIOs noted that business areas like new product lines, corporate policies on ethical AI use, and supply chains are among the least AI-ready within their organisations.

While CIOs are eager to scale AI across their organisations, they face formidable challenges related to adoption speed and security. Overcoming these hurdles requires a strategic approach that prioritises AI-specific security measures and comprehensive governance frameworks.