AI, cybersecurity top CIO list of most disruptive technologies

Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity top the list of most disruptive technologies today, according to a survey of chief information officers.

Research firm Gartner says that disruptive emerging technologies will play a major role in reshaping business models as they change the economics of all organizations. In response, the research firm asked CIOs and IT leaders which technologies they expect to be the most disruptive.

Artificial intelligence (AI) was by far the most mentioned technology, replacing data and analytics, which now occupies second place, the survey found. This year’s question was asked slightly differently, making historical comparisons more challenging, but the jump to first place was dramatic: even the top performers went from only 7 percent to 40 percent.

With regards to implementation, 37 percent responded that they already deployed AI technology or were soon planning to. In fact, AI comes in second, behind cybersecurity (cited by 88 percent).

“On the surface this looks revolutionary. However, this bump in adoption rate of AI may indicate irrational exuberance instead,” Andy Rowsell-Jones, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner, told the audience at Gartner's ITxpo in Orlando last week. “While CIOs can’t afford to ignore this class of technologies, they should retain a sense of proportion. This latest batch of AI tools is yet to go through its trough of disillusionment.”

The strong focus on cybersecurity shows the necessity of creating a secure base for digital business that shields their organization and clients, Roswell-Jones continued. The survey indicates that in most enterprises the CIO still owns the responsibility for cybersecurity. However, the IT organization alone can’t provide cybersecurity anymore.