Companies investing heavily in AI are seeing significant financial benefits. According to new research from Accenture, 74% of organizations have reported that their investments in generative AI and automation have met or exceeded expectations, and 63% plan to further strengthen these capabilities by 2026. The new report, Reinventing Enterprise Operations with Gen AI, also reveals that the number of companies with fully modernized, AI-led processes has nearly doubled from 9% in 2023 to 16% in 2024. These “reinvention-ready” companies achieve 2.5 times higher revenue growth, 2.4 times greater productivity, and 3.3 times greater success at scaling generative AI use cases compared to their peers.
In this new AI-powered era, the role of the CIO is evolving from managing IT infrastructure to strategically leading AI initiatives that can drive growth, distinction, and innovation. Today’s CIOs are better described as Chief Competitive Advantage Officers, focusing on how AI can not only solve existing problems but also unlock new business models, streamline operations, and personalize customer experiences at scale.
But with this evolved role comes a critical challenge: how can CIOs implement AI initiatives that deliver fast, scalable wins?
AI: A Strategic Imperative for Competitive Advantage
While we’re seeing more companies than ever experimenting and implementing AI programs, a decent amount are struggling to attain real value at scale. Only 26% have developed the necessary capabilities to move beyond proofs of concept and generate tangible value, according to new research from Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Even more telling, just 4% of companies have achieved cutting-edge AI capabilities across functions and consistently generate significant value.
Accenture’s 2024 report, Reinventing Enterprise Operations with Gen AI, further reinforces this gap in AI maturity. It found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of organizations are still struggling to change the way they operate. A major barrier is their data infrastructure—61% report that their data assets are not yet ready for generative AI, and 70% are finding it difficult to scale projects using proprietary data. The inability to build a strong data foundation and effectively scale AI initiatives prevents these companies from realizing the full potential of their investments.
I’ve highlighted below the characteristics that set leading CIOs – who make AI a key priority – apart:
1. Embrace a Talent-First Reinvention Strategy
One of the most crucial steps leading CIOs take is focusing on people and processes over purely technological capabilities. Both studies emphasize the importance of this approach. Accenture’s research highlights that 82% of companies in the early stages of AI maturity have not yet applied a talent reinvention strategy, putting them at a disadvantage. To address this, leading CIOs invest heavily in training and developing AI-specific skills within their workforce to keep up with rapid advancements in generative AI. Similarly, the BCG study reveals that successful companies allocate 70% of their AI resources to people and processes, ensuring that employees are equipped and workflows are optimized to integrate AI initiatives effectively.
2. Focus on Core Business Processes for AI Integration
According to BCG, leading companies derive 62% of their AI value from core business functions. This strategic focus allows them to leverage AI where it can drive the most impactful outcomes. CIOs who prioritize AI-driven transformations in these critical areas create substantial competitive advantages and outperform their peers. This primary focus on core functions, with a secondary focus on support functions, is a hallmark of successful AI integration. Of course, every business is different, so it’s important to understand what the core functions and supporting functions of your business are.
3. Adopt a Robust Data Foundation and Scalable AI Strategy
Both reports point to the importance of establishing a solid data infrastructure and focusing on scalable AI initiatives. Accenture’s research found that 61% of companies struggle to build the necessary data foundation for generative AI, which hinders their ability to scale these technologies. Leading CIOs implement centralized data governance and adopt a domain-centric approach to data modernization, ensuring their data assets are ready to be leveraged by AI tools across the business.
By prioritizing talent development, focusing AI efforts on core business processes, and establishing a robust data infrastructure, leading CIOs can ensure they maintain their competitive edge and unlock the full value of their AI investments and drive sustainable business growth.
Setting the Stage for AI Success
Despite its immense potential, implementing AI comes with challenges. In Part 2, we’ll explore the key hurdles CIOs face—like ensuring cross-functional collaboration, handling ethical considerations, and establishing AI governance. We’ll also introduce the FAST AI Framework, a structured roadmap for achieving scalable AI wins.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive deeper into these challenges and discuss actionable strategies to drive AI success. In the meantime, check out Aquant’s ebook 6 Key Considerations When Adopting AI for Service, the executive guide to kickstart your AI strategy for a more innovative, faster, future-proof service operation.
About the Author
Assaf Melochna, President and CoFounder, Aquant
Assaf Melochna is the President and co-founder of Aquant, where his blend of decisive leadership and technical expertise drives the company’s mission. An expert in service and enterprise software, Assaf’s comprehensive business and technical insight has been instrumental in shaping Aquant.
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