CASE STUDY
How can organisations navigate the challenges of identifying the right tools due to the abundance and overlap of options from application sprawl ?
The sprawl of AI-powered technologies can cause confusion and resistance amongst employees . CIOs have the opportunity to navigate a fragmented landscape by investing in platforms that are easy-touse and feature-rich . mixed blessing ; it can overwhelm decision makers who are under pressure to implement the best technology solutions for their teams .
CIOs must clearly define the business objectives and outcomes they hope to achieve with any AI implementation . This will help identify the areas where these new technologies have the most potential to add value .
It ’ s also crucial for CIOs to assess their current tech capabilities and infrastructure to determine if they have the right foundations in place to support AI initiatives . This includes upgrading existing systems and processes , leveraging more staff to train employees or using multi-functional platforms which require minimal training .
What were some standout insights from the report from European IT leaders and decision-makers ?
Whilst global CIOs are set to increase their spend on AI tools , 84 % of CIOs say there are too many AI tools in the market . This is an issue amongst UK CIOs , in particular , more of whom ( 77 %) are concerned about application sprawl compared to their global counterparts ( 72 %). This proves that AI adoption within the workplace has become increasingly prominent , yet many business leaders are overwhelmed with the fragmented marketplace and find it hard to know where to start . It was interesting to see that of all the European countries surveyed , Spanish CIOs ranked highest ( 97 %) when it came to investing in AI this year , with German CIOs ranking the lowest ( 88 %).
It ’ s refreshing to see such enthusiasm from CIOs across Europe who clearly understand the need to implement AI tools within their organisation to avoid falling behind . Investment in the right technology helps their organisation have a greater impact , consolidates cost and reduces complexity for their teams – so it ’ s good to see CIOs doing that enthusiastically across countries like the UK , Spain , Germany and France .
With 69 % of CIOs expecting to adopt between 30 and 60 new apps in 2024 and a further 83 % concerned that there are already too many AI tools in the market , business leaders should concentrate on the adoption of all-in-one platforms that align best with their objectives . To work across different tools for every function can be expensive and difficult to manage .
An array of apps can also result in the need to train more employees – another distraction from precious work time . Fewer internal systems can help overcome this challenge , and our research shows over two-thirds ( 68 %) of CIOs feel they don ’ t have enough staff to train employees on new apps , including around safe and proper usage . It ’ s clear there ’ s a desire for a more streamlined approach .
What strategies can CIOs put in place to avoid overwhelming IT teams when introducing new AI applications ?
To educate IT teams on new AI applications is critical to encourage efficient and effective use . As we ’ ve seen with any new technology , continuous learning is key to understanding its full potential . At Canva , we run AI and Machine Learning workshops to equip our team of over 4,000 , no matter their level of expertise . Effective training will encourage a culture of learning , curiosity and help make people feel comfortable to adopt new tools .
Can you provide more insights into how Canva ’ s Magic Studio addresses the deep fragmentation of AIpowered tools within the design and creative ecosystem ?
Our research shows that rather than suppressing creativity , AI is serving as a driving force for innovation and the creative process . In the face of stringent deadlines and limited budgets , AI has proven to empower marketers and creatives to swiftly and efficiently produce large volumes of content . However , as we saw 10 years ago , the design ecosystem is fragmented ; our recent AI report on marketing and creative professionals showed that over half ( 59 %) of
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