Insights from the Gartner IT Symposium highlight the critical role of AI, particularly generative AI, for IT leaders and CIOs. While predictions about AI's impact have been validated, many organizations struggle with maturity and data quality for successful implementation. The discussion identifies two distinct races in AI adoption—one for vendors and another for enterprises—differentiating between simple and complex use cases. A shift in tone from urgency to caution emphasizes the need for organizations to assess their capabilities and adapt to potential job displacement, particularly in middle management. Leadership skills, self-awareness, and a focus on unique organizational strengths are essential for effectively leveraging AI.