FROM
One large, dedicated IT team handles an organization’s tech needs, overseen by the CIO
TO
Generative AI handles many routine tasks
One large, dedicated IT team handles an organization’s tech needs, overseen by the CIO
Generative AI handles many routine tasks
AI is transforming work. It is automating repetitive tasks, optimizing workflows and enabling better, data-driven decisions.
The result: A more focused IT team that concentrates on strategic, high-value activities, while driving technology innovation strategy.
63%
of global C-suite leaders plan to reinvent their IT function in the next 3 years
FROM
The CIO is responsible for IT governance, solution delivery, app maintenance and infrastructure
TO
The CIO is a regulator of tech and infrastructure, setting governance and cybersecurity standards
Gen AI is pushing technology strategy beyond the IT department and into the realm of business strategy.
In the age of gen AI, the CIO becomes a regulator of technology and is responsible for defining standards and policies. However, the enterprise will be empowered to perform some IT activities that were traditionally the province of the CIO.
75%
of tech-forward companies have both a tech-fluent CEO and tech-fluent C-suites
FROM
IT practitioners have company-wide duties, such as software development, tech support and training
TO
IT practitioners handle business-critical IT activities and oversee teams of AI agents
Gen AI is triggering a fundamental reassessment of how companies must operate and what IT’s role should be. In the resulting business technology operating model, IT practitioners will handle business-critical IT work such as managing data and cloud architecture. They will also manage teams of AI agents. And they will educate the organization on responsible AI use.
Some IT practitioners who used to be part of the IT department will now be embedded in business units across the organization.
FROM
The CIO manages spending on enterprise technology and IT workers
TO
CIO guides spending on enterprise-wide IT investments. Business units have more autonomy
In a business technology operating model, spending on enterprise-wide IT investments will continue to be assessed and guided by the CIO. Meanwhile, some business-technology investments will be governed and funded by business units. Functional areas across the organization—human resources, finance, marketing, supply chain, legal, operations—will have a hand in gen AI-led technology development.
FROM
IT budget is allocated as a percentage of revenue. “Business as usual” activities are prioritized
TO
Technology budget is measured as value delivered per unit of investment
Technology budgets will prioritize innovative technology and processes, such as deploying AI agents and enabling cognitive digital brains to improve human + machine interaction. Investment governance and funding decisions will be made at the enterprise level, supported by the CIO.
4.7x
The growth rate for top performing AI adopters since 2022
35%
The increase in productivity experienced by sales teams at Accenture with gen AI
Four lenses through which you can look to rethink IT
To help you assess the practicalities of reinventing core IT business functions, we have developed a four-lens framework.
The integration of human + machine capabilities will bring vast new efficiencies to the enterprise—and drive significant change.
Key points to consider:
- Breakthroughs in human + machine intelligence require that business leaders improve their fluency and technical acumen
- AI agents and cognitive digital brains will deliver a generational leap forward in the way that IT teams are supported by technology
- A culture of trust is needed for new technologies to deliver business value, driving the need for responsible AI at scale
New tools, service delivery models and roles are driving the need for continuous learning and upskilling across the business—and unleashing the power of IT.
Key points to consider:
- AI-augmented workflows allow leaner IT teams to focus their superpowers on driving growth and reducing costs for the organization
- Managed services from AI-enabled partners will allow IT teams to automate key workloads, deliver services faster and close knowledge gaps as workers retire or redeploy
- The relationship between the CEO and technology leaders will evolve as tech strategy and business priorities converge
As access to data and technology is democratized across the organization, formerly siloed departments will work more closely to drive the business forward.
Key points to consider:
- The wide availability of gen AI tools will blur the line between business and IT teams, resulting in integrated business-technology functions
- The C-suite and board will become more fluent in technology to drive growth
- Modernizing the data foundation will be key to achieving results with new technologies
Accelerated AI workflows will reset expectations for how technology is used and how teams are structured.
Key points to consider:
- Incentives and a culture of trust will normalize AI and drive adoption
- Thoughtful changes to employee culture will help drive adoption and trust
- Compressed delivery cycles will alter agile workflows and staffing models
So, the question is…
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