Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 84 | Page 43

CIO OPINION
CIOs and other technology leaders are expected to deliver sweeping AI-driven transformation across departments , with little understanding from leadership about the time and complexity involved .
The heightened profile that AI gives technology leaders can also come with added stress . At the same time , 60 % say AI has bolstered their reputation and 39 % report that the additional visibility has made their role more negative or stressful .
They are being pulled in multiple directions – expected to drive innovation , support growth and manage operational complexities – while being scrutinised more closely than ever before by their boards .
This pressure to constantly meet high AI expectations while maintaining technological leadership is proving to be a significant cause of concern for CIOs across the globe .
Concerns over AI ’ s impact on roles
Another major stressor for technology leaders is the fear that AI could replace their roles or those of their teams .
The Enterprise Horizons report highlights that 38 % of global leaders are worried about AI ’ s potential to displace their or their teams ’ jobs , and 40 % believe that the newly emerging role of Chief AI Officer ( CAIO ) will absorb many of their current responsibilities within two years .
This fear stems from the fact that AI , while enabling rapid innovation , is increasingly automating complex tasks , which IT teams and senior technology executives have traditionally handled . As AI evolves , technology leaders ’ responsibilities are expected to shift , with automation handling routine and even high-level decision-making processes .
This anxiety is not limited to IT roles alone . As automation becomes more widespread , 46 % of respondents fear that roles in other departments will
As AI evolves , technology leaders ’ responsibilities are expected to shift .
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