A new report reveals that while most Chief Information Officers (CIOs) recognize the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), only 11% have successfully fully implemented it. A study conducted by Salesforce with 150 CIOs from global companies with more than 1,000 employees indicates that technical and organizational challenges, especially in terms of security and data management, are hindering the adoption of this technology.
According to the report, 84% of CIOs believe that AI will have as big of an impact as the Internet did at its time. However, most prefer to be cautious before deploying it widely in their organizations. “Generative AI is one of the most transformative technologies of this century,” says Juan Pérez, CIO of Salesforce. “But this study shows us that CIOs are facing significant barriers before they can fully leverage its potential.”
Key obstacles: security and data
The main cause of concern among CIOs is security. 67% of them say they are taking a more calculated approach with AI compared to other technologies, and 61% feel they are expected to know more about AI than they actually do. “We still don’t know how to use AI safely among employees and how to control its governance,” admitted a CIO in the professional services sector in the United States.
Another major challenge is the quality and accessibility of data. CIOs are allocating 20% of their budgets to data infrastructure, compared to only 5% to AI initiatives. The successful implementation of this technology largely depends on data being accurate and available at the right time. “Our biggest obstacle for AI is data accessibility and legacy systems that do not support information exchange,” said a CIO in the financial services sector in Italy.
Misaligned expectations and “AI in the shadows”
The study also highlights that expectations regarding the Return on Investment (ROI) of AI are misaligned. While 66% of CIOs believe they will see positive results from their AI investments, 68% feel that business stakeholders have unrealistic expectations about when these returns will occur.
Despite these challenges, the unauthorized adoption of AI tools by employees – a phenomenon some call “AI in the shadows” – is adding additional security risks. “The use of generative AI tools by employees without clear authorization underscores the urgent need to implement reliable tools,” Pérez stated.
An experimental approach
In light of this landscape, most CIOs are taking an experimental approach. 75% of them say their organizations are in a testing phase, implementing AI in select areas to assess its impact before a broader deployment. “We are experimenting in specific functions and observing their use and benefits,” explained a CIO in the technology sector in India.
For many, pilot projects are proving to be the best way to demonstrate the value of AI to skeptical employees and build confidence in its transformative capacity.
AI, the next big revolution?
Although full adoption of AI is still in its early stages, it is clear that CIOs are aware of the potential this technology has to revolutionize their industries. However, its implementation is proving to be a slower and more measured process than many anticipated, due to technical complexity and the need to ensure a strong foundation of data and security.
Collaboration among CIOs has become essential in this context. “It’s the perfect time to share knowledge,” Pérez affirms. “AI is a revolution that we are navigating in real-time, and sharing our experiences will allow us to build not only successful companies, but an AI-based economy that works for everyone.”
Conclusion
With AI at the center of many companies’ technological strategies, the pressure on CIOs to master this technology and lead its implementation is higher than ever. However, lack of preparation in critical areas such as security and data infrastructure remains a significant obstacle. As technology leaders experiment and seek ways to integrate AI safely, long-term success will depend on both peer collaboration and investment in the foundations that will enable widespread adoption.
Source: Salesforce