CIO

The Forbes CIO Next List: 2025

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Forbes’ CIO Next List 2025 highlights 50 top technology leaders across various industries who have delivered tangible business impact through AI adoption, digital transformation, and process modernization. These executives improved efficiency by automating tasks, upgrading systems, and launching new digital platforms. The list features leaders from sectors such as healthcare, finance, retail, and technology, many of whom have unified fragmented systems, enhanced cybersecurity, and accelerated enterprise-wide innovation. The selection process involved expert nominations and focused on recent, proven achievements rather than being a ranked competition.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardnieva/2025/11/18/the-forbes-cio-next-list-2025/

Measuring and Scaling AI Agent Value Beyond Productivity Gains

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The article emphasizes the importance of measuring AI agent value beyond productivity by focusing on business outcomes and strategic metrics. It suggests a phased rollout approach for AI implementation to minimize risk and maximize impact, while positioning the CIO as a strategic enabler in businesses. Ultimately, the call to action is to embrace agentic AI for transformative potential, urging CIOs to secure executive buy-in and showcase the technology's advantages.

https://www.cio.com/article/4090235/measuring-and-scaling-ai-agent-value-beyond-productivity-gains.html

CIOs Gain Prominence as AI Takes Root

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CIOs are increasingly collaborating with CEOs as AI integration surges, with full implementation rising from 11% to 42% in a year. Confidence in CIO roles is growing, with 75% feeling more assured in 2025 and 97% reporting improved AI knowledge. Dual reporting lines to CEOs have increased from 41% to 65% over a decade, enhancing CIO influence in business strategy. CIOs are also improving their leadership skills, with many focusing on customer service through agentic AI applications.

https://www.ciodive.com/news/cios-gain-prominence/805731/

Are CIOs Becoming the New Leaders of C-Suite Strategy?

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CIOs' roles are expanding; now seen as drivers of revenue, not just tech. A Deloitte survey shows 80% of tech leaders report increased responsibilities, with 65% of CIOs now reporting directly to CEOs. This shift indicates a growing trust in tech's strategic value. CIOs aspire to CEO roles, driven by their leadership skills and innovation capabilities. Tech functions are perceived as revenue generators, prompting a focus on growth strategies and organizational transformation.

https://businesschief.com/news/are-cios-becoming-the-new-leaders-of-c-suite-strategy

Speed Meets Durability: The Engineering CIO Mindset

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Amit Chadha, CEO of L&T Technology Services, emphasizes that modern CIOs should blend an engineering mindset—focusing on durability, redundancy, and scalability—with the fast-moving world of software and automation. He notes that AI and automation enable both speed and longevity in IT systems, and CIOs must also consider the physical infrastructure on which their software relies. As technology becomes more autonomous, workforce training and integrated, connected systems are needed. Chadha warns against over-reliance on abstractions, urging CIOs to ground decisions in physical realities and design for potential failures.

https://www.informationweek.com/it-leadership/speed-meets-durability-the-engineering-cio-mindset

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/

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