CIOs IN THE SPOTLIGHT - WILL YOU SHINE OR FADE?

As AI and digital transformation disrupt industries, CIOs face their greatest challenge yet: to adapt, lead innovation, drive strategy, and fuel organizational growth

- Praneeta & Jatinder Singh

"WHEN I started my career as IT head, our main job was simply to keep systems running smoothly. But today, technical and operational excellence is just the baseline. For IT leaders to make a true impact, they must align IT with business strategy and drive continuous innovation. Without that focus, a CIO risks falling short of the organization's expectations and, like the dinosaurs, eventually fading into irrelevance," said a senior CIO from a private sector bank during an informal conversation at one of our recent meetings.

There's no doubt about it: tech plays a key role in making or breaking businesses today. This has put CIOs in the spotlight, with more people recognizing how they shape business results. CIOs and CTOs now do much more than just manage IT systems. They've become strategic leaders who create new business chances, make user experiences better, and find ways to strengthen revenue. We can see this change clearly.

Tech is shaking up old industries. Online shops like Amazon and Flipkart have changed how we buy things. Now, people in cities and villages can get what they need with a simple click. Companies like Reliance JioMart are helping small corner stores go digital so they can keep up with the changing market. In entertainment, streaming services are taking over from cable TV. Factories are getting smarter and more connected. Banks are also going digital, using AI to serve customers better, work more, and make smarter choices.

Strategic and Business Acumen are top traits required to be a successful CIO today, with 59.48% of respondents ranking it as their highest priority and assigning it a score of 5.16. This underscores the importance of aligning IT strategy with business goals and driving enterprisewide innovation.