Only 13% of organizations report achieving significant or transformational value from artificial intelligence, according to Gartner’s 2027 CIO Agenda, which draws on a survey of more than 2,000 technology leaders.
The findings were among the key topics at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2026, where more than 7,000 CIOs and technology executives gathered to discuss AI strategy, enterprise technology and business performance.
AI Spending Alone Does Not Guarantee Business Results
Gartner identified a group of organizations, called “Vanguard” companies, that outperform peers in realizing value from AI. Their advantage is not tied to industry, revenue or IT budget size. Instead, these organizations focus on managing technology costs, using governance to connect AI investments to business value, and applying AI to expand IT talent capabilities rather than simply automate work.
CIOs Face Growing Pressure to Manage AI Risk
Gartner’s opening keynote focused on the challenge of balancing AI’s potential business value with risks that can accumulate as the technology spreads across an organization. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in enterprise operations, CIOs must build strategies that support continued value while managing those risks.
Technology Leaders Turn Toward AI Governance and Resilience
Gartner’s technology trends briefing for 2027 points to a growing focus on governing AI, scaling autonomous systems and maintaining resilience as organizations expand their use of the technology.
After years of experimentation, AI deployment and digital modernization, technology leaders face questions about how to manage autonomous systems safely and reliably at enterprise scale.
The conference also featured Gartner’s 2027 CIO Agenda and its list of the top 10 strategic technology trends for the year ahead, both focused on helping technology leaders translate AI investment into business outcomes.
