As AI capabilities accelerate faster than many organizations can adapt, CIOs are being challenged to balance ambition with readiness. So how can leaders walk the "golden path" to real, sustainable value?

In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner experts Alicia Mullery and Daryl Plummer break down their Opening Keynote from Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, and explore how to align both AI readiness and human readiness to capture meaningful outcomes. They discuss why many AI initiatives struggle to achieve ROI, how to measure "good enough" accuracy, and what it means to scale AI maturity without leaving your workforce behind.

Tune in to discover:

• Why only 1 in 5 AI initiatives see real return — and how to change the odds
• How to use the Gartner Positioning System to evaluate readiness
• The difference between conversational agents and autonomous decision-making agents
• Why a value remix may be more effective than workforce reduction
• How aligning tech readiness and human capability unlocks "shockwave" innovation

Dig deeper:

• Download the Opening Keynote takeaways on AI readiness
• Join us at a Gartner CIO Conference near you
• Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights

As 2026 approaches, AI innovation is accelerating faster than human readiness — so how can CIOs and IT leaders stay ahead?

In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, recorded on site at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo in Orlando, Florida, Gartner experts Chris Howard and Gene Alvarez share key takeaways from three cornerstone sessions: the Opening Keynote, Top Strategic Technology Trends, and the CIO Agenda. They explore how CIOs can walk the "golden path" to value, balance AI ambition with operational readiness and prepare their teams for a future defined by agility, risk management and tenacity.

Tune in to discover:

• Why heroes are made in the Trough of Disillusionment
• How CIOs can align human and AI readiness
• The rise of multiagent systems and domain-specific language models
• What the Architect, Synthesist and Vanguard roles mean for 2026 strategy
• Why success depends less on budget and more on resilience, adaptability and trust

Dig deeper:

• Download the Opening Keynote takeaways on AI readiness
• Explore Gartner's Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2026
• Join us at a Gartner CIO Conference near you
• Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights

In this episode of ThinkCast, we're setting the stage for Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2025. You'll hear Gartner experts Mary Mesaglio, Hung LeHong, Gene Alvarez and Daryl Plummer revisit the past year's most impactful IT insights to help you prepare for what's next — from navigating two AI races and unlocking deep productivity to understanding agentic AI and the rise of guardian agents.

Keep listening for practical guidance on setting your AI pace, managing costs and spotting the disruptions that will define IT strategy in 2026 and beyond.

Tune in to discover:

• Why two AI races matter — and which one you're really in
• How to find "deep productivity zones" for GenAI success
• Why neophilia and change champions accelerate adoption
• What agentic AI means for automation beyond RPA
• How guardian agents will transform security and oversight

Dig deeper:

• Buy tickets to Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo
• Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights

In this episode of ThinkCast, we continue last week's discussion around AI value with a question many enterprise leaders still face: Why has increased productivity from GenAI initiatives not led to more value from AI overall?

Gartner Senior Director Analyst Nate Suda will walk through how productivity does not automatically equal value, and the often-misunderstood link between the two. From productivity leakage and task-level blindspots to bottlenecks, prioritization strategies and use case misfires, Suda delivers a clear framework for where to focus — and who to focus on — to get the most out of GenAI.

Tune in to discover:

• Why productivity does not equal value
• What productivity leakage looks like and how to stop it
• How to match GenAI use cases to employee experience
• Four ways to define productivity beyond just speed or time saved

This episode originally aired July 15, 2025.

Dig Deeper:

• Buy tickets to Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo
• Register to watch Beyond Productivity: How CIOs Can Cut Costs with Generative AI
• Read For AI Value, Focus on Your Use Cases

Executives are asking the same question in 2025: Where is the value AI was supposed to deliver?

In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner experts Mary Mesaglio and Rita Sallam outline how leaders can define, measure and maximize AI value across the enterprise. From productivity gains that don't translate directly to financial returns, to high-stakes bets that could rewrite industry rules, they explain why leaders must manage AI investments as a balanced portfolio — spanning return on investment, return on employee and return on the future.

Tune in to discover:

• Why productivity leakage hampers measurable value
• How to structure AI investments across ROI, ROE and ROF
• The differences between Defend, Extend and Upend use cases
• Why AI-ready data, governance and business change are critical

Dig deeper:

• Buy tickets to Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo
• Watch the full webinar on AI value
• Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights

CMOs are facing extraordinary expectations — from the enterprise, customers and their own teams.

In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner experts Alex De Fursac Gash and Kristina LaRocca-Cerrone cover a portion of their Opening Keynote from this year's Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo. Together, they outline how marketing leaders can navigate heightened demands, avoid strategic dysfunction and embrace what they call the "Epic Journey to Growth." From shifting AI from tool to actor, to building long-term vision and scenario planning muscle, Alex and Kristina reveal how CMOs can strengthen reputations, exceed CEO expectations and transform disruption into opportunity.

Tune in to discover:

• Why doing nothing in times of disruption is no longer an option
• How strategic dysfunction undermines growth and what to do about it
• Practical ways to use scenario planning and AI to build resilience
• The mindset shifts that turn volatitiliy into enterprise-wide opportunity

Dig deeper:

• Buy tickets to Gartner Marketing Symposium/Xpo
• Get started with AskGartner, your new AI-powered tool

In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we explore the future of computing — from what to expect in the next decade, to the possibilities beyond.

Gartner Global Chief of Research Chris Howard is joined by Soyeb Barot, Chief of Research for Gartner for Technical Professionals and VP Analyst, to discuss what this future could look like. Hear how AI is rapidly driving the near-term innovation of quantum computing, the far future of autonomous businesses and space manufacturing, and why executive leaders should push to play an active role in shaping these possibilities.

Dig Deeper:

Buy tickets to Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo

Read to learn What is Quantum Computing?

Managers are stretched thin, but remain the most powerful voice for employee trust.

In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner VP, Advisory Alexandra Earl introduces the 4 C's of Manager Communication Competencies: Championing, Coaching, Conversing and Connecting. From helping employees link strategy to daily work, to creating true two-way dialogue, Alexandra outlines a clear framework to elevate communication and improve team engagement.

Tune in to discover:

• Why managers remain the most effective communication channel
• The 4 essential communication competencies every manager must build
• How contextualization helps employees see themselves in strategy
• Practical steps for self-assessment and peer support networks

Dig deeper:

• Learn more about Gartner for Communications Leaders
• Benchmark yourself with the Gartner Communications Score Tool
• Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights

With traditional sales growth bets losing steam, today's sales leaders face an urgent challenge: how to hit their numbers and lead their teams through AI-driven reinvention.

In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast — recorded live from the 2025 Gartner CSO & Sales Leader Conference Opening Keynote in Las Vegas — Gartner VP Analyst Dan Gottlieb introduces the "Great Sales Awakening," a new era in sales transformation. From navigating quota pressures and cross-functional expectations to deploying agentic AI, Dan outlines the bold leadership shifts required to succeed in a world reshaped by digital labor.

Tune in to discover:

• Why traditional playbooks are no longer enough in today's environment
• The difference between time-saving AI and revenue-driving AI
• How agentic AI is reshaping account planning and sales execution
• What kind of leader you need to be to thrive in the era of AI-powered sales

Dig deeper:

• Buy tickets to the next Gartner CSO & Sales Leader Conference
• Watch the Opening Keynote and other live Gartner sessions on YouTube
• Become a client to try out AskGartner for more trusted insights

With 39% of new executives underperforming in their new role, succeeding as a new leader requires more than ambition — it takes the right tools, insights and political savvy.

Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Mary Mesaglio joins first to introduce Gartner Executive FastStart™ — a curated set of tools, roadmaps and resources to help new executives overcome the triple constraint of time, information and relationships. Then Gartner Fellow Tina Nunno walks through her framework of four leadership styles to help new leaders navigate the political realities of any organization.

Tune in to discover:

• Why new executives struggle and how the triple constraint holds them back
• How Executive FastStart helps leaders achieve early wins and build trust
• The four political leadership styles and how to identify your own
• How to quickly adapt to the political dynamics of your executive team

Dig deeper:

• Download your own personalized copy of Gartner Executive FastStart
• Watch the full Executives in a New Role playlist on YouTube