CIO

7 Behaviors of the AI-Savvy CIO

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The article identifies seven key behaviors for CIOs to succeed with AI: (1) aligning AI projects with strategic goals, (2) building organizational trust, (3) embedding AI in the company culture, (4) examining data quality and bias, (5) focusing on augmenting human abilities, (6) educating teams on AI, and (7) continuously learning from experts. CIOs need both technical and soft skills—such as empathy and clear communication—to navigate AI transformation. Experts emphasize the importance of linking AI to measurable business value and establishing robust, well-governed data foundations. CIOs should understand analytical, generative, and agentic AI to ask the right questions, make strategic decisions, and drive fundamental business transformation.

https://www.informationweek.com/it-leadership/7-behaviors-of-the-ai-savvy-cio

How State CIOs Are Using GenAI

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82% of state CIOs report employees use generative AI daily, up from 53% in 2024. Most adopt a low-risk strategy: pilot projects (90%), proofs of concept (86%), and employee training (71%). Only 25% have dedicated AI funding. AI aids workplace efficiency and service delivery, with usage for internal tasks and some exploration of public-facing services. CIOs support federal AI regulations while opposing restrictive moratoriums.

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/ai-state-cio-government-adoption/803978/

From Technologist to ‘Digital Governor’: State CIO Role Has Evolved Dramatically

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State CIOs have shifted from purely technical roles to strategic leaders, acting as communicators and change managers. This evolution comes amid high turnover, with 44 CIO changes since 2023, and growing demands for budgetary support in technology amidst rapid advancements like AI and cybersecurity challenges. Effective relationship management and bridging the gap between tech and policy are essential for CIOs today, as they balance innovation and risk.

https://www.route-fifty.com/people/2025/10/technologist-digital-governor-state-cio-role-has-evolved-dramatically/409009/

LIVE From Gartner: The CIO’s 2026 Cybersecurity Playbook

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CIOs must align cybersecurity with business, emphasizing shared governance and outcome-driven metrics. The distinction between CIO and CISO roles highlights potential conflicts in reporting structures. CIOs should frame cyber risk as a business decision using Protection Level Agreements to guide investments. Effective governance and risk management are crucial for resilience, with metrics designed to connect cybersecurity outcomes to business performance. The CIO’s role evolves into a strategic translator for aligning cybersecurity initiatives with organizational goals.

https://nationalcioreview.com/articles-insights/live-from-gartner-the-cios-2026-cybersecurity-playbook/

Lockheed Martin’s CIO On Digital Transformation And Culture Of Purpose

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Maria Demaree, Lockheed Martin’s CIO and Senior VP for Enterprise Business and Digital Transformation, leads over 5,000 technology professionals and drives IT operations and company-wide digital modernization. She emphasizes a strong sense of purpose and ethical service rooted in her family’s multi-generational commitment to the company. Demaree oversees transformative efforts like uniting siloed business areas, implementing AI-driven solutions, and establishing unified platforms to balance employee consistency with flexibility. Her dual background in business and technology informs an approach focused on operational value, innovation, and resilient legacy. Demaree views AI and quantum computing as transformative, stresses ethical usage, and advocates for lifelong learning and cross-functional collaboration across Lockheed Martin’s workforce.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterhigh/2025/10/20/lockheed-martins-cio-on-digital-transformation-and-culture-of-purpose/

HSBC CIO Stuart Riley on Leading With Data and AI

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Stuart Riley, HSBC’s Group CIO since February 2024, is leading the bank’s tech and AI innovations, having previously overseen technology at Citigroup. He aims to simplify HSBC’s complex IT infrastructure and is deploying AI across over 600 applications, emphasizing its long-term potential. His past experience includes developing digital products at Citigroup and significant roles at Deutsche Bank and RBS. Beyond banking, he contributes to educational tech initiatives and advises on sustainable cloud computing. Riley’s leadership is crucial to HSBC’s digital strategy and competitiveness.

https://businesschief.com/news/hsbc-cio-stuart-riley-on-leading-with-data-and-ai

The CIO as Orchestrator: From Running Systems to Building Ecosystems

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CIOs must evolve from managing systems to orchestrating ecosystems that drive growth and innovation through collaboration with partners. Orchestration involves aligning internal and external resources to create value, essential in today’s complex tech landscape. Successful CIOs focus on outcomes, embed in business strategies, and utilize partners as co-innovators. A five-step orchestration playbook is suggested for aligning capabilities, designing platforms, creating value propositions, operationalizing delivery, and embedding go-to-market strategies. By mastering orchestration, CIOs can unlock new revenue streams and gain competitive advantages.

https://www.cio.com/article/4074028/the-cio-as-orchestrator-from-running-systems-to-building-ecosystems.html

Digital Transformation Works Best When Co-owned — but Only if You Do It Right

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CIOs and CxOs must collaborate on digital projects for successful transformation, sharing leadership and costs. Active participation from both sides ensures value creation and accountability, preventing project failures attributed solely to IT. CIOs need CxO budget commitments and defined responsibilities for projects, promoting a united front in digital initiatives.

https://www.cio.com/article/4069904/digital-transformation-works-best-when-co-owned-but-only-if-you-do-it-right.html

Research: Improved CEO-CIO Alignment Will Catalyze Strategic Decisions on AI Adoption

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Netskope’s research highlights that improved alignment between CEOs and CIOs is crucial for effective AI adoption. While many CIOs are taking on strategic roles, 39% feel misaligned with CEOs on key decisions, impacting their empowerment in IT strategy. CIOs are increasingly involved in broader business priorities, with 41% advocating for more IT infrastructure investment. The role of CIO is evolving, requiring stronger stakeholder engagement and a focus on business outcomes rather than just technical expertise.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/10/13/3165559/0/en/Research-Improved-CEO-CIO-Alignment-Will-Catalyze-Strategic-Decisions-on-AI-Adoption.html

Goldman’s Chief Information Officer Has 4 Tips on How to AI-proof Your Career, Including ‘posing Provocative, Non-obvious Questions’

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Goldman Sachs CIO Marco Argenti offers 4 tips to enhance careers in an AI-driven world:

  1. Conductor Role: Shift focus from just doing tasks to managing human-AI collaborations.
  2. Provocative Questions: Emphasize creativity by asking unconventional questions to unlock AI’s potential.
  3. Personalized Toolkits: Curate a mix of AI tools tailored for specific tasks.
  4. Skeptical Verification: Always validate AI outputs to catch errors.

The key is blending tech fluency with creativity and discernment.

https://fortune.com/2025/10/10/ai-entry-level-career-how-to-succeed-work-with-technology-skills/

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