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Key Points

A Gartner survey shows 77% of CEOs lack confidence in their tech teams' ability to leverage AI for business growth. Only 44% of CIOs are considered AI-savvy, highlighting a major skills gap. CEOs emphasize upskilling as critical for AI adoption, with 66% admitting their business models aren't AI-ready. The findings underscore the urgent need for organizations to adapt to AI-driven transformation.

Key Points: 77% CEOs Doubt Tech Teams' AI Readiness for Business Growth

  • 77% CEOs doubt tech teams' AI readiness
  • Only 44% CIOs considered AI-savvy
  • 66% say business models unfit for AI
  • Upskilling seen as key to AI adoption
2 min read

Over 3/4th of CEOs doubts tech teams readiness to harness AI for business growth: Gartner

Gartner survey reveals 77% of CEOs question their tech teams' AI capabilities, with only 44% of CIOs deemed AI-savvy.

"AI is not just an incremental change from digital business. AI is a step change in how business and society work. – David Furlonger, Gartner"

New Delhi, May 6

Despite their belief that artificial intelligence is bringing about a new age in business, 77 per cent of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) feel that their company's top tech specialists are not equipped to support, drive, or accelerate business outcomes in this changing environment.

A survey by Gartner Inc further added that only 44 per cent of Chief Information Officer (CIOs) are deemed by their CEOs to be "AI-savvy".

The Gartner CEO and Senior Business Executive Survey of 456 CEOs and other senior business executives worldwide was conducted from June to November 2024 and measured CEO's perceptions of the C-suite.

"We have never seen such a disproportionate gap in CEOs' impressions about technological disruption," said David Furlonger, Distinguished VP Analyst and Gartner Fellow. "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."

CEOs perceived even the CIO, chief information security officer (CISO), and chief data officer (CDO) as lacking AI savviness. CEOs' concern about the technology savviness of their C-suite is not new. The 2019-2020 Gartner CEO survey showed that CEOs' assessment of their executives' technology savviness required for the digital era was suboptimal.Limiting Factors Impacting AI's Deployment

CEOs highlighted that the top two limiting factors impacting AI's deployment and use are the inability to hire adequate numbers of skilled people and an inability to calculate value or outcomes.

"CEOs have shifted their view of AI from just a tool to a transformative way of working," said Jennifer Carter, Principle Analyst at Gartner. "This change has highlighted the importance of upskilling. As leaders recognise AI's potential and its impact on their organisations, 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 focus on upskilling is a strategic response to AI's evolving role in business, ensuring that the entire organisation can adapt and thrive in this new paradigm.

Sixty-six per cent of CEOs said their business models are not fit for AI purposes, according to the survey.

Executives must, therefore, build and improve AI savviness related to every mission-critical priority.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the AI readiness article:
R
Rahul K.
This survey shows why Indian IT companies need to urgently invest in AI training programs. We can't afford to fall behind global competitors. Maybe government should introduce AI skill development initiatives like Skill India but focused specifically on emerging technologies.
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Priya M.
As someone working in tech, I see this gap daily. Many senior leaders still think AI = chatbots 🤦‍♀️. Companies need to stop just talking about digital transformation and actually train their teams properly. The NASSCOM AI courses are a good start but need wider adoption.
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Arjun S.
Interesting that 66% say their business models aren't AI-fit. In India, we have the advantage of being able to build AI-first companies without legacy systems holding us back. Startups like ours are proving this - we built our entire workflow around AI from day one.
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Sneha R.
The skills gap is real but let's not forget - many Indian engineers are leading AI research globally! The problem isn't talent, it's corporate India's slow adoption. Our IITs produce brilliant minds but companies don't utilize them properly. Time for better industry-academia collaboration.
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Vikram J.
While the concerns are valid, we must be careful not to overhype AI. I've seen companies rushing to implement AI solutions without proper planning, leading to failed projects. First fix your data infrastructure, then think about AI. Jaldi ka kaam shaitan ka 😅
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Neha P.
The survey misses an important point - AI implementation needs cultural change, not just technical skills. Many Indian companies still have hierarchical structures that resist new ways of working. Unless leadership truly embraces innovation, no amount of upskilling will help.

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