CIOs leading the charge into an AI powered future

Global, Apr 10, 2026

Unpacking the Logicalis 2026 Global CIO Report 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be the hottest topic in boardrooms and IT departments across the globe.  The 12th annual Logicalis Global CIO Report, which surveyed over 1,000 CIOs worldwide, reveals a widening gap between ambition and operational readiness, with governance, skills and infrastructure struggling to keep pace.

Most organisations (94%) report an increased appetite for AI investment over the past year, yet the structure to support that ambition is lagging. More than half believe AI adoption is already moving too fast, and an overwhelming 89% describe their organisation’s current approach as "learning as we go." 

Driving that appetite is early evidence that AI delivers. Over a third of organisations have accelerated their AI initiatives based on proof-of-concept results, and the technology is delivering impact in areas such as strengthening predictive analytics and data-driven forecasting and enhancing the customer experience. However, two-thirds of CIOs don’t believe they can scale AI beyond initial deployments.  Early wins are evident, but the journey to enterprise-wide transformation remains elusive.

The most frequently cited constraints are not funding, but skills, data challenges and regulatory and compliance concerns:

  • 88% of CIOs say a lack of internal technical capability is holding back their AI ambitions.
  • 87% identify data challenges as a significant constraint to AI progress.
  • 88% of CIOs cite regulatory and compliance concerns.

However, structural frameworks are also a significant challenge. While most CIOs use AI governance controls to some extent, 62% report compromising on governance due to limited knowledge.  In addition:

  • Only 44% say they fully grasp the risks of AI adoption.
  • And 76% of CIOs say unchecked AI remains a serious concern for them. 

Tension between early success and scaling challenges is compounded by broader nervousness about the AI market itself, with 67% concerned about an "AI bubble." A further 16% say they lack continuity plans should a key AI provider become unavailable, a reminder that organisations are building dependencies on these platforms.

On this year’s report, Bob Bailkoski, Logicalis CEO said: 

This year's report reveals a complex challenge for CIOs navigating the biggest innovation of our lifetime. Organisations are not short of ambition or appetite for AI, they are short of the frameworks, skills and confidence to deploy it at scale. The challenge right now is not whether to invest in AI, but how to build the foundations that will make that investment effective, safe and sustainable. Today’s CIO is no longer just a technology operator, they are strategically coordinating risk, ensuring accountability and driving value creation throughout the entire organisation.

The Logicalis Global CIO Report 2026 captures a world where speed and stewardship must go hand in hand.  The organisations that will prosper are those whose leaders harness AI’s transformative potential while ensuring it remains responsible, trusted, and profoundly impactful. As we step into this era of acceleration, the stakes—and opportunities—have never been greater.

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