Mary Mesaglio, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, and Hung LeHong, Distinguished VP Analyst and Gartner Fellow, have presented their recommendations for CIOs to effectively lead their organizations in AI initiatives. They presented their ideas at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2024, October 21-24.
Here are ten strategic tips for CIOs
Set Realistic AI Goals: Differentiate between AI-steady and AI-accelerated approaches based on your industry and organizational capabilities. Establish clear, achievable goals to avoid overextending resources and expectations.
Focus on User Adoption: Ensure that AI tools are integrated into daily workflows. Invest in training and resources to promote consistent use among employees, recognizing that productivity gains from AI are not uniformly experienced.
Manage AI as a Portfolio: Treat AI benefits like a portfolio, weighing the risks and rewards across various areas such as productivity, operational improvements, and transformative innovations. This approach will help in balancing investments and expectations.
Understand AI Cost Structures: Develop a comprehensive understanding of how AI costs can scale within your organization. Create proofs of concept to test cost implications, and negotiate with vendors based on detailed cost analyses.
Implement a Tech Sandwich Model: Design a tech sandwich that balances centralized and decentralized AI and data management. This model should incorporate trust, risk, and security management technologies (TRiSM) to govern and protect data access effectively.
Engage in Behavioral Management: Actively manage the behavioral outcomes associated with AI use among employees. Implement change management strategies that address both positive and negative impacts on performance and well-being.
Encourage a Culture of Curiosity: Foster a culture that encourages employees to share their feelings about AI tools. Understanding these sentiments can help mitigate negative outcomes and improve overall employee engagement.
Invest in Continuous Learning: Given the rapid evolution of AI technologies, encourage continuous learning and upskilling within your IT teams. This will ensure that they remain knowledgeable about emerging trends and best practices.
Collaborate Across Departments: AI is no longer solely an IT responsibility. Foster collaboration between IT and other departments to leverage diverse insights and ensure that AI initiatives align with broader organizational goals.
Monitor and Measure AI Outcomes: Establish metrics to evaluate the success of AI initiatives regularly. Use these insights to adjust strategies and ensure that AI implementations are delivering the intended business value.
These tips will assist CIOs to navigate the complexities of AI adoption and position their organizations for sustained success in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
