From Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo: What’s Ahead for CIOs in 2026 and Beyond
As 2026 approaches, AI innovation is accelerating faster than human readiness — so how can CIOs and IT leaders stay ahead? In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, recorded on site at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo in Orlando, Florida, Gartner experts Chris Howard and Gene Alvarez share key takeaways from three cornerstone sessions: the Opening Keynote, Top Strategic Technology Trends, and the CIO Agenda. They explore how CIOs can walk the “golden path” to value, balance AI ambition with operational readiness and prepare their teams for a future defined by agility, risk management and tenacity. Tune in to discover: Why heroes are made in the Trough of Disillusionment How CIOs can align human and AI readiness The rise of multiagent systems and domain-specific language models What the Architect, Synthesist and Vanguard roles mean for 2026 strategy Why success depends less on budget and more on resilience, adaptability and trust Dig deeper: Download the Opening Keynote takeaways on AI readiness Explore Gartner’s Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2026 Join us at a Gartner CIO Conference near you Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights
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Your IT Symposium/Xpo Primer: Top AI Insights From the Past Year
In this episode of ThinkCast, we’re setting the stage for Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2025. You’ll hear Gartner experts Mary Mesaglio, Hung LeHong, Gene Alvarez and Daryl Plummer revisit the past year’s most impactful IT insights to help you prepare for what’s next — from navigating two AI races and unlocking deep productivity to understanding agentic AI and the rise of guardian agents. Keep listening for practical guidance on setting your AI pace, managing costs and spotting the disruptions that will define IT strategy in 2026 and beyond. Tune in to discover: Why two AI races matter — and which one you’re really in How to find “deep productivity zones” for GenAI success Why neophilia and change champions accelerate adoption What agentic AI means for automation beyond RPA How guardian agents will transform security and oversight Dig deeper: Buy tickets to Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights
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The GenAI Productivity Trap: Why Faster Isn’t Always Better
In this episode of ThinkCast, we continue last week's discussion around AI value with a question many enterprise leaders still face: Why has increased productivity from GenAI initiatives not led to more value from AI overall? Gartner Senior Director Analyst Nate Suda will walk through how productivity does not automatically equal value, and the often-misunderstood link between the two. From productivity leakage and task-level blindspots to bottlenecks, prioritization strategies and use case misfires, Suda delivers a clear framework for where to focus — and who to focus on — to get the most out of GenAI. Tune in to discover: Why productivity does not equal value What productivity leakage looks like and how to stop it How to match GenAI use cases to employee experience Four ways to define productivity beyond just speed or time saved This episode originally aired July 15, 2025. Dig Deeper: Buy tickets to Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo Register to watch Beyond Productivity: How CIOs Can Cut Costs with Generative AI Read For AI Value, Focus on Your Use Cases
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Turn AI Promises Into Measurable Business Outcomes
Executives are asking the same question in 2025: Where is the value AI was supposed to deliver? In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner experts Mary Mesaglio and Rita Sallam outline how leaders can define, measure and maximize AI value across the enterprise. From productivity gains that don’t translate directly to financial returns, to high-stakes bets that could rewrite industry rules, they explain why leaders must manage AI investments as a balanced portfolio — spanning return on investment, return on employee and return on the future. Tune in to discover: Why productivity leakage hampers measurable value How to structure AI investments across ROI, ROE and ROF The differences between Defend, Extend and Upend use cases Why AI-ready data, governance and business change are critical Dig deeper: Buy tickets to Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo Watch the full webinar on AI value Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights
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AI, Strategy & Marketing Growth: What Every CMO Must Do Now
CMOs are facing extraordinary expectations — from the enterprise, customers and their own teams. In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner experts Alex De Fursac Gash and Kristina LaRocca-Cerrone cover a portion of their Opening Keynote from this year's Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo. Together, they outline how marketing leaders can navigate heightened demands, avoid strategic dysfunction and embrace what they call the "Epic Journey to Growth." From shifting AI from tool to actor, to building long-term vision and scenario planning muscle, Alex and Kristina reveal how CMOs can strengthen reputations, exceed CEO expectations and transform disruption into opportunity. Tune in to discover: Why doing nothing in times of disruption is no longer an option How strategic dysfunction undermines growth and what to do about it Practical ways to use scenario planning and AI to build resilience The mindset shifts that turn volatitiliy into enterprise-wide opportunity Dig deeper: Buy tickets to Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo Get started with AskGartner, your new AI-powered tool
Gartner ThinkCast puts you at the intersection of business and technology with insights from the top experts on how to build a more successful organization, team and career in the Digital Era. Join us every other Tuesday to get your competitive advantage. View all Gartner ThinkCast episodes at https://www.gartner.com/en/podcasts/thinkcast
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