Gartner ThinkCast

AI-driven layoffs are making headlines, but is AI really the main culprit? Or is the story more complex? As organizations enter 2026, leaders face rising performance expectations, cultural strain, and mounting pressure to deliver productivity gains that rarely materialize. What does this mean for the future of work?
In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, host Alexis Wierenga talks with Gartner expert Emily Rose McRae to break down Gartner's Future of Work Trends for 2026. From the truth behind AI-related workforce reductions, to the hidden risks of AI "workslop" and the growing importance of mental fitness, Emily Rose shares actionable insights for HR leaders, CIOs and executives navigating an AI-enabled workplace.
 
You'll learn:
Why most AI-driven layoffs aren't what they seem
How "workslop" creates a hidden productivity drain in organizations
Why leaders aren't seeing expected productivity gains
Why performance pressure is rising and how to protect culture
The critical role of mental fitness in an AI-first world
 
Dig deeper:
Download the full 9 Future of Work Trends for 2026
Register for the Future of Work Trends live webinar
Join us at a Gartner HR Conference near you
See how Gartner is the world authority on AI

As CIOs enter 2026, the pressure is on: Budgets are flat, headcount is tight, and yet expectations for growth, innovation, and AI adoption are soaring. How can technology leaders deliver impact when resources are constrained and the pace of change is relentless?
In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Gartner expert Chris Howard walks through the latest CIO Agenda survey results for 2026, as debuted at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo. From navigating geopolitical vendor risk to shifting planning cycles and driving financial impact beyond productivity, Chris shares actionable insights for CIOs looking to lead with agility, manage risk strategically, and push through uncertainty with tenacity.
 
Tune in to discover:
Why agility, risk and tenacity are the defining traits of successful CIOs in 2026
How to pivot from annual planning to dynamic reprioritization
Why rethinking your vendor mix is critical amid rising digital sovereignty
How to move beyond productivity gains to deliver measurable financial impact
What AI adoption means for talent strategies and organizational resilience
 
Dig deeper:
Download more insights from the CIO Agenda for 2026
Join us at a Gartner CIO Conference near you
See how Gartner is the world authority on AI

As we close out the year, we're bringing you some of 2025's standout ThinkCast episodes. Today's episode, originally released in April, explores how leaders can scale AI using Gartner's "AI tech sandwich":
In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we tackle one of the most pressing questions facing executive leaders today: How should organizations approach AI deployment?
Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Whit Andrews joins host Karen Stokes Lockhart to help answer whether leaders should build, buy or blend when approaching their AI integration, while further exploring Gartner's "AI technology sandwich" framework.
Tune in to hear Whit and Karen discuss the multiple layers of enterprise AI, including embedded AI, bring-your-own AI and the critical governance decisions that support a responsible, scalable foundation for IT and tech leaders navigating a complex AI landscape.
Dig Deeper:
Download the guide to Deploying AI in Your Organization
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As we close out the year, we're bringing you some of 2025's standout ThinkCast episodes. Today's episode, originally released in May, dives into the rapid emergence of machine customers and how AI agents are transforming customer experience looks:
 
In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we explore what customer experience looks like today — a world where your most valuable customers might not even be human. Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Don Scheibenreif joins host Alexis Wierenga to unpack how CEO perceptions, AI agents and machine customers are reshaping CX strategy.
Drawing from Gartner's latest CEO research, Don shares critical insights on the shift in customer expectations, the rapid emergence of autonomous buyers and the emotional impact of AI adoption. Whether you're designing for humans, machines or both, this episode offers a roadmap for getting customer experience right in an AI-first future.
 
Tune in to discover:
Why CEOs may not know their customers as well as they think
What machine customers are and why they matter now
The key blind spots in AI-driven CX strategies
How to balance automation and humanity to create trust

 
Dig deeper:
Attend a Gartner Conference near you
Watch more insights on When Machines Become Customers
Watch the full conversation on YouTube

AI is transforming faster than leaders can rewrite their strategies, and staying ahead requires a new kind of clarity. So how do you move beyond experimentation and hype to build AI that truly delivers business value?
In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Gartner Director Analyst Deepak Seth joins to explore what's next in AI implementation, including what comes after AI agents. He'll break down where AI really sits on the Gartner Hype Cycle today, why organizations struggle to operationalize new capabilities, and how leaders can stay grounded while still planning for a rapidly shifting future.
 
Tune in to discover:
How to overcome the most common implementation pitfalls
Why value from AI is a journey, not an overnight return
How to make forward-looking decisions without falling into "wait and see" paralysis
Why AI agents won't define the long-term future of enterprise AI
What bold predictions could reshape the next decade

 
Dig deeper:
Explore the CIO Agenda for 2026
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