How Technology Influences CEO Decision-Making

Data shows CEOs see AI as a catalyst for reinvention, with over 50% stating they think AI will drive the reinvention of their business models in 3-5 years. A majority of CEOs state they are seeing measurable business benefits from their generative AI initiatives... 1) Operational efficiency 2) Improved customer satisfaction 3) Improved business resilience Over 50% of CEOs say that all decisions must be approved by humans. Reminds me of the 1979 dot matrix printout via IBM that read, "A computer can never be held accountable, therefore a computer must never make a management decision." Reporting structures also trend towards a more direct relationship between the CIO and the CEO. This has likely prompted the CEO to envision the CIO role as more strategic. 1/4 CEOs say that they want their CIO’s primary focus to be on cost reduction and risk management. I'd like to see the shift toward CIOs as strategic growth enablers. IDC also sees the focus of CIOs should on modernizing IT to drive better business outcomes, orchestrate digital transformation to improve business agility, use AI to transform and create new revenue streams, and/or promote collaboration on AI initiatives across functions (i.e. business transformation). Beyond technology, CEOs express a critical need to hone skills around business strategy, operational excellence, and people leadership. But, as AI plays an increasingly larger role at work, leaders must also prioritize human-centered approach and human-centered outcomes. Source: IDC, The 2025 CEO Agenda

Gartner’s 2024 CEO Survey found that #AI is a top strategic priority for 34% of CEOs. This is promising and reflects a major shift: data and technology have moved beyond the firewalls of technical teams to become integral to shaping business strategy. Successful CEOs recognize that technology isn’t just an enabler—it’s a cornerstone of digital business. Leaders like Jamie Dimon at JP Morgan Chase and Vas Narasimhan at Novartis exemplify this. Dimon’s $12 billion annual investment in technology and #data is reimagining banking, improving customer experiences and operational efficiency at scale. Narasimhan’s focus on embedding AI into drug discovery is redefining what it means to be a pharmaceutical company in a digital-first world. Leaders like them serve as compelling case studies of how CEOs can align technology with business goals to drive industry-wide change. Without CEO ownership, the divide between business strategy and technology will only grow, holding organizations back. But with a clear vision, governance, and a focus on business outcomes, CEOs can align teams, bridge silos, and drive lasting impact. For more: https://lnkd.in/duaf98tx

Today's Thought: Are CEOs Ready to Seize AI’s Potential? New Research: A comprehensive study led by The Futurum Group and Kearney is based on surveys and sit-down interview sessions with over 30,000 data points from 200+ CEOs of companies with annual revenue over $1 Billion from around the world. Top 5 Findings: Strategic Leadership Is Non-Negotiable: Nearly 57% of CEOs personally lead their organization’s AI strategy, signaling the critical importance of direct executive involvement in driving innovation and alignment across the enterprise. Customer Experience at the Forefront: While efficiency and cost savings remain priorities, 66% of CEOs identified customer experience enhancement as the top business benefit of AI, reflecting its growing role as a competitive differentiator. Talent and Infrastructure Are Bottlenecks: A staggering 65% of CEOs cited talent scarcity as a major obstacle to AI implementation, while 81% emphasized the importance of robust infrastructure as a prerequisite for success. Governance and Ethics Demand Urgent Attention: With the rapid pace of AI development, 58% of CEOs have established internal ethical guidelines, but fewer have robust cross-functional governance frameworks in place, leaving gaps that could threaten trust. A Confidence Gap Persists: While 78% of CEOs feel moderately to very confident in their organization’s ability to adopt AI, only 49% believe both leadership and their broader organization are fully ready for AI-driven transformation. What are you CEOs saying about using AI in your company?