How are CIOs prioritising investment in AI infrastructure versus the refurbishment of legacy IT systems , given the constraints of a limited budget ?

Today ’ s CIOs face significant challenges . For example , power , which traditionally has always been the foundation of digital infrastructure and buildings , has now become more integral with increasing digitalisation and connectivity . As a result , the CIO ’ s role is becoming more complex . CIOs are expected to achieve more with fewer resources due to budget constraints which affects everyone .

The introduction of AI adds another layer of difficulty , as it forces CIOs to carefully balance investments between upgrading their current infrastructure to meet today ’ s requirements and planning for future events like preparing for the deployment of AI and upgrading IT equipment . Therefore , balancing the demands for resilience , cost efficiency and sustainability creates a real challenge .

Elizabeth Atkinson , our CIO at Schneider Electric , has emphasised that Generative AI is a game changer , but for now , most companies are experimenting with it to determine how best to streamline operations and maximise its benefits .

The difficulty lies in managing day-to-day systems , while investing in future technologies .

Additionally , circularity must be factored in as part of an organisation ’ s overall sustainability efforts . At Schneider Electric , our own approach includes leveraging platforms like EcoStruxure IT to monitor energy consumption , manage CO 2 emissions and enhance the sustainability of IT systems .

The quality of data within the organisation is crucial . The better the data , the more it can be used to make

intelligent decisions regarding when to replace or upgrade equipment or whether existing assets can be further utilised to improve efficiency . Data will also play a critical role as AI is deployed because the effectiveness of AI depends entirely on the quality of the data it is fed .

How is Schneider Electric helping CIOs effectively integrate advanced AI technologies into their existing IT framework without compromising on efficiency and sustainability ?

Here at Schneider Electric , we offer comprehensive support from the grid to the chip , and from the chip to the chiller . This means we handle everything from delivering power to the point of consumption within the server to managing the cooling systems that extract heat from the chip and extend to the chiller system .

We engage with CIOs or organisations on the design , construction , operation and maintenance of their physical and digital infrastructure , providing an endto-end solution . In addition , we work closely with the broader ecosystem , whether cloud and service providers , Internet giants , IT channel , distribution

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