Only 44% of CIOs seen as AI-savvy by CEOs, survey finds

A recent survey by Gartner has revealed that only 44% of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are viewed by their Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) as being "AI-savvy."

The Gartner CEO and Senior Business Executive Survey gathered responses from 456 CEOs and other senior executives around the world between June and November 2024, focusing on CEO perceptions of their organisation's executive teams regarding artificial intelligence (AI).

According to the survey, 77% of CEOs believe that AI is ushering in a new era of business. Despite this, a considerable number of CEOs do not believe that their technology leadership—particularly their CIOs, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), and Chief Data Officers (CDOs)—possess the necessary knowledge and capabilities to support, drive, or accelerate business outcomes amid rapid AI evolution.

David Furlonger, Distinguished Vice President Analyst and Gartner Fellow, commented on these findings, stating, "We have never seen such a disproportionate gap in CEOs' impressions about technological disruption. 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."

The survey noted that CEO concerns over the technology expertise of their executive teams are not new.

In the 2019–2020 iteration of the Gartner CEO survey, CEOs already considered their executive teams' technological knowledge insufficient for the demands of the digital era. The latest findings indicate that this perceived gap in executive preparedness is widening as AI takes on a more transformative role.

Among the primary barriers to effective AI deployment identified by CEOs were the organisation's inability to hire a sufficient number of skilled individuals, as well as challenges in calculating value and outcomes associated with AI initiatives. These issues are seen as the top two limiting factors hampering advancement and utilisation of AI in business contexts.

Jennifer Carter, Principal Analyst at Gartner, elaborated on how CEO perspectives are shifting in response to AI: "CEOs have shifted their view of AI from just a tool to a transformative way of working. This change has highlighted the importance of upskilling. 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."

This emphasis on upskilling is part of a broader strategic effort as organisations seek to adapt and thrive within the changing business environment. According to the survey, 66% of CEOs reported that their current business models are not sufficiently fit for purposes involving AI, underscoring the necessity for improved AI understanding and capability across all mission-critical priorities.

The study also suggests that C-suite executives, beyond those in technology roles, require greater education and training in AI-related competencies as CEO expectations increase and AI becomes more integrated into overall business strategy.

The findings are expected to inform business leaders, human resources departments, and executive teams about the growing importance of AI proficiency and adaptability within their organisations, particularly with respect to technology adoption and implementation leadership.

These results are included in the broader Gartner research programme titled "2025 CEO Survey — The Year of Dynamic Capacity," which explores how senior executives are addressing challenges and opportunities arising from technological and societal changes.