FEATURE : 2025 CIOS ’ PRIORITY

Continuing our selection of sector voices on priorities for the coming year . efficiency gains , but it also allows each organization to focus on what they do best with R & D while contributing to the broader good of the ecosystem and boosting overall AI adoption and innovation .”

Kelly Stratman , Global Ecosystem Relationships Enablement Leader , EY

Looking ahead into the new year , understanding how AI can be incorporated into an organization ’ s infrastructure and how they will work will be increasingly important yet complex . As part of this , businesses will critically have to consider how to adopt responsible AI deployments , as well as embed AI capabilities into their processes in-house . This trend will shine an even bigger spotlight on the growing shortage of talent , skills , and infrastructure , which ultimately underscores the need to collaborate with partners who bring complementary resources and expertise .

In 2025 , I expect ecosystem partners to increasingly focus on contributing to their core competency . For example , service companies will bring their expertise in developing and building a skilled base of AI professionals , leaving other partners within the same ecosystem to focus on their core competencies , such as software development . Ultimately , participants in the same ecosystem can invest in AI upskilling and re-skilling programs , helping to build AI expertise within their existing workforces and eventually reducing reliance on outsourcing . This pooled data and experience expedites the adoption of AI technologies and secures a crucial competitive advantage . Not only does this allow for short-term cost savings and

In 2025 , CIOs must balance digital transformation with resilience , sustainability and innovation . While it ’ s one of the most discussed technology vectors at the moment , harnessing AI and automation , not just to enhance efficiency but to innovate customer experiences and drive new revenue streams , is foundationally important . CIOs should scale AI initiatives across the enterprise and emphasize explainable AI and governance frameworks . Cybersecurity remains a priority , with threat actors using machine learning to train their tools to enhance ransomware and quantum computing risks , necessitating a zero-trust architecture , continuous threat intelligence , and robust business continuity planning .

Visibility into every level of the business is essential . This includes clearly understanding how users and customers interact with tools and services . By leveraging data effectively , CIOs can modernize data platforms , enable real-time analytics , and make access easier through self-service tools . Technology transformation is accelerating , and providing business stakeholders with a simplified onramp to reach their digital outcomes will enable better agility in navigating the changes . Establishing strong data governance will help ensure compliance and ethical data usage . In line with increasing sustainability goals , CIOs should adopt energy-efficient technologies and prioritize green IT initiatives , including tracking and reducing carbon footprints and responsibly managing e-waste . While it may seem negligible , every little bit helps .

Empowering and embracing hybrid work requires a secure and flexible digital workspace strategy prioritizing productivity and employee experience . CIOs should invest in cloud optimization ( public and

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