All 2025 Conference Sessions

Gartner Opening Keynote: Walking the Golden Path to Value

Speakers:

• Rob O’Donohue, VP Analyst
• Gabriela Vogel, VP Analyst

Key takeaways

• Avoid extremes of AI disbelief and hype; most GenAI initiatives fail, so focus on realistic value rather than vendor claims.
• Appoint a dedicated AI leader to improve project sustainability, trust, and performance outcomes.
• AI value depends on human readiness: invest in upskilling, change management, and strategic alignment to maximize benefits.
• Evaluate AI readiness, calculate hidden costs, and choose vendors carefully; build human skills and AI literacy to capture long-term value.

Signature Series: CIOs and Technology Executive Agenda

Speakers:

• Daniel Sanchez Reina, VP Analyst
• Hung LeHong, Distinguished VP Analyst

Key takeaways

• Top performing technology executives have three things in common: the ability to be agile in their platforms and people; the ability to manage risk; and the ability to be tenacious, to see things through to the end, to get value, and to keep going.​
• Year-over-year, CIOs and technology executives plan to increase their budget for AI and generative AI by 33% and 32% on average, even though overall IT budgets are mostly flat.
• Pivots and reprioritization, not calendar-based planning, will dominate 2026.

4 Generative AI Skills to Master in 2025

Speakers:

• Tori Paulman, VP Analyst

Key takeaways

• Bridging the AI Optimism Gap: Executive leaders are enthusiastic about AI’s potential, but most workers feel their skills are underutilized and remain skeptical. Closing this gap is critical.
• Mastering Four Essential GenAI Skills: Success with generative AI depends on proficiency in use case identification, tech fluency, effective prompting, and output discernment. 
• Fostering Ongoing Engagement and Community: Dedicate time for experimentation, reward breakthrough ideas, and form GenAI communities of practice to accelerate skill development and innovation.

Seven Disruptions You Might Not See Coming: 2025-2030

Speakers:

• Leigh McMullen, Distinguished VP Analyst

Key takeaways

• AI and digital innovation will drive significant disruptions between 2025 and 2030, reshaping business and society.
• Autonomous business platforms will automate decision-making and operations, requiring new approaches to business models and governance.
• The rise of AI sovereignty and “AI-free” trust will impact regulations, security, and public confidence in digital content.
• Organizations must address a workforce competence crisis as AI replaces entry-level roles, making talent development and upskilling essential.