IT Symposium/Xpo Opening Keynote 2025: Gartner's Golden Path for CIOs
As AI capabilities surge ahead, human readiness is struggling to keep pace — and that imbalance could derail your path to real value. So how can CIOs and IT leaders navigate this gap and avoid costly missteps? In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, you'll hear the first 20 minutes of the Opening Keynote from Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2025, straight from the stage in Orlando. Gartner experts Alicia Mullery and Daryl Plummer reveal why the odds of achieving AI ROI remain stubbornly low, and what leaders must do to walk the "golden path" toward sustainable outcomes. Tune in to discover: Why human readiness is the biggest obstacle to AI success How to plan for the hidden "transition mortgage" behind AI costs Why conversational agents aren't enough How to handle vendor selection in the era of digital nation states Why a value remix strategy can unlock growth without workforce chaos  Dig deeper: Download the Opening Keynote takeaways on AI readiness Join us at a Gartner CIO Conference near you Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights
-------- Â
25:09
--------
25:09
The 4 Biggest Challenges for IT Leaders in 2026
Leadership won't get any easier in 2026. Geopolitical volatility, accelerating AI disruption and workforce identity shifts are creating unprecedented challenges for IT leaders. So how can you prepare? In this mini episode of ThinkCast, recorded at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo in Orlando, Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Mary Mesaglio sums up the insights from her dozens of onsite conversations with CIOs and top IT leaders. In just four minutes, she breaks down the four challenges shaping IT leadership into 2026, and offers practical strategies to navigate uncertainty with confidence. Tune in to discover: The 4 challenges redefining IT leadership in 2026 Why optionality matters for decision-making in volatile times How AI vendor races complicate long-term technology bets Why identity threats demand a new leadership approach Dig deeper: Download the Opening Keynote takeaways Join us at a Gartner CIO Conference near you Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights
-------- Â
6:50
--------
6:50
From Guardian to Catalyst: 8 Forces Reshaping CFO Identity
As economic volatility, cost pressure and technological acceleration reshape the finance landscape, CFOs are facing a pivotal identity shift. The instinct to protect the enterprise through tighter controls may no longer serve the moment. So what does it take to lead with resilience and unlock growth? In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner experts Clement Christensen and Mallory Bulman revisit their Opening Keynote from the Gartner Finance Symposium/Xpo. They introduce the "Catalyst CFO" — a new leadership identity designed for disruption — and explore the eight forces reshaping finance, from AI-enabled decision-making to discontinuous regulatory change. Tune in to discover: Why the "guardian" CFO mindset may be holding your organization back The eight forces transforming finance and how to respond How AI agents are changing the nature of financial decision-making Why identity is the most underutilized leadership tool What Catalyst CFOs do differently to drive agility, innovation, and growth  Dig deeper: Download the Gartner CFO Report Join us at a Gartner Finance Conference near you Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights
-------- Â
23:59
--------
23:59
Walking the Golden Path to Value: Aligning AI Readiness and Human Readiness
As AI capabilities accelerate faster than many organizations can adapt, CIOs are being challenged to balance ambition with readiness. So how can leaders walk the "golden path" to real, sustainable value? In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner experts Alicia Mullery and Daryl Plummer break down their Opening Keynote from Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, and explore how to align both AI readiness and human readiness to capture meaningful outcomes. They discuss why many AI initiatives struggle to achieve ROI, how to measure "good enough" accuracy, and what it means to scale AI maturity without leaving your workforce behind. Tune in to discover: Why only 1 in 5 AI initiatives see real return — and how to change the odds How to use the Gartner Positioning System to evaluate readiness The difference between conversational agents and autonomous decision-making agents Why a value remix may be more effective than workforce reduction How aligning tech readiness and human capability unlocks "shockwave" innovation  Dig deeper: Download the Opening Keynote takeaways on AI readiness Join us at a Gartner CIO Conference near you Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights
-------- Â
12:33
--------
12:33
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
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
South Africa