CEOs See AI Reshaping Business, But Say Their C-Suite Isn’t Ready
A majority of CEOs believe artificial intelligence is reshaping the business world, with 77% believing AI is ushering in a new business era, according to new Gartner research.
There’s a growing disconnect between executive expectations and C-suite preparedness. Only 44% of CIOs are deemed by their CEOs to be “AI-savvy,” according to the 456 CEOs surveyed. The rest lack the knowledge and capabilities to support, drive or accelerate business outcomes in the evolving landscape.
The concerns extend to chief information security officers and chief data officers as well. While the feedback aligns with a 2019-2020 survey, in which CEOs said savviness required for the digital era was “suboptimal,” the stakes only grow higher as the technology continues to evolve.
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“We have never seen such a disproportionate gap in CEOs’ impressions about technological disruption,” said David Furlonger, distinguished VP analyst and Gartner Fellow, in a statement. “AI is not just an incremental change from digital business. AI is a step change in how business and society work. A significant implication is that, if savviness across the C-suite is not rapidly improved, competitiveness will suffer, and corporate survival will be at stake.”
Talent Is a Growing Issue
CEOs identified hiring skilled talent as a key barrier to AI deployment, pushing many leaders to prioritize upskilling existing staff rather than relying solely on new hires.
This emphasis on upskilling reflects a broader organizational need: aligning business models with the AI-driven demands. Sixty-six percent of CEOs admitted their current business models are not fit for AI, emphasizing the urgency for cultural and operational transformation.
"CEOs have shifted their view of AI from just a tool to a transformative way of working,” said Jennifer Carter, principal analyst at Gartner, in a statement. “As leaders recognize AI's potential and its impact on their organizations, they understand that success isn't just about hiring new talent. Instead, it's about equipping their current employees with the skills needed to seamlessly incorporate AI into everyday tasks.”
