Generative AI is set to revolutionize IT operations, with 66% of employees anticipating greater autonomy in their roles by 2030 due to its integration, according to an Info-Tech Research Group survey of more than 500 IT professionals.
The findings suggested this shift demands strategic implementation, as 65% of organizations expect structural changes, including the formation of AI-focused teams.
Meanwhile, 95% of respondents acknowledge the need to reskill by 2030, with cybersecurity and AI/ML identified as critical focus areas.
Workforce restructuring is gaining momentum, with 89% of IT leaders recognizing the necessity to redesign their organizations for future demands.
Business-led IT is doubling in prevalence, expected to rise from 18% in 2024 to 33% in 2025, further emphasizing the need for agile and collaborative models.
Brittany Lutes, research director at Info-Tech Research Group, said CIOs must focus on building stronger relationships with core stakeholders, including the external client or constituent.
“CIOs must also establish an increased understanding of financial literacy,” she said. “Knowing where and how money enters or leaves the organization will provide CIOs with the insight they need to lead the organization. This has been an ongoing spot of opportunity for many CIOs.”
The report also highlights a disconnect in employee experience priorities. While 86% of IT leaders focus on improving experience, only 39% of employees feel their needs, particularly in reliable digital tools, are being met.
Amid rising stress levels—reported by 76% of IT managers—the report also uncovered generational divides in AI perceptions, with Gen Z estimating that AI will complete 56% of their tasks by 2030, compared to just 43% among Baby Boomers.
Lutes said the Boomer and Gen X generations are a bit more hesitant to see technology like AI adopted and readily used.
“We saw last year a lot of organizations saying, hold off, don’t dive into AI; wait until we get a formal policy in place,” she said.
She explained the problem is that it prevented a lot of people from playing with the technologies right from the get-go—but more so for these generations.
“The biggest opportunity for leaders around this is to encourage its adoption,” Lutes said. “Show your teams when and where you can use it in your everyday working interactions, talk with your vendors to see what they have by way of training sessions, and get them in to share this knowledge.”
She added the biggest limitation she’s seeing is that organizations are saying not to engage with AI unless pre-approved.
“This is only furthering people’s fear around what AI is—especially for certain generations,” Lutes said.
Scott Wheeler cloud practice lead at Asperitas, suggested organizations conduct employee-centered assessments to understand what employees value in their career development and align those values with the organization’s technology goals.
“Encourage and support continuous learning by creating educational roadmaps to achieve knowledge and certifications in skills that benefit both the employee and the organization,” he said.
He pointed to just-in-time mentoring, which continues as one of the most effective training methods they have experienced.
“It involves placing one or more experienced mentors on the project team with the team members to be trained,” Wheeler explained.
The team receives real-time training on a real-world project during the project, which significantly solidifies the training.
Wheeler also recommended investing in internal training programs that leverage existing training and certification offerings in the marketplace.
“Use these offerings to create learning paths to help employees achieve their training and skill goals,” he said.
