Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2025 Kochi: Day 2 Highlights

We are bringing you news and highlights from Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, taking place this week in Kochi, India. Below is a collection of the key announcements and insights coming out of the conference. You can read the highlights from Day 1 here.

On Day 2 from the conference, we are explaining the top 10 reasons why GenAI projects fail and how to fix it, highlighting the state of AI regulation, and discussing what’s next after digital business, as well as how to address risks in AI and GenAI contracts. Be sure to check this page throughout the day for updates.

Presented by Arun Chandrasekaran, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner

AI leaders are under constant pressure to demonstrate value from their early GenAI pilots and increasingly scrutinized on these AI investments to receive ongoing funding. In this session, Arun Chandrasekaran, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, discussed the common causes of failures, as well as best practices to mitigate those failures and scale AI across the enterprise.

• “The biggest risk with GenAI today is not taking any risk or waiting for the dust to settle down.” 

• Reason No. 1: GenAI Alone Isn’t the Right Technique: Consider a composite approach to AI — where a combination of techniques may yield better value than one.

• Reason No. 2: Tech Obsolescence: Avoid technology obsolescence by using the right AI techniques, building a composable platform architecture and emphasizing AI-ready data.

• Reason No. 3: Responsible AI is an Afterthought: Put responsible AI at the center of all GenAI efforts to ensure robust guardrails. While it is important to identify where AI can be applied, it is equally important to recognize where AI should not be used.

• Reason No. 4: Inadequate Investment in Data and AI Literacy: Invest in data and AI literacy skills with personalized training programs that focus on the “doing” as much as the “knowing.”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Sonika Choubey at sonika.choubey@gartner.com

Presented by Anushree Verma, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner

AI regulations are emerging at the same rapid pace as new AI products. As a result, CIOs must navigate a complex landscape of regulations, working to meet compliance requirements without slowing down their AI strategies. In this session, Anushree Verma, Sr Director Analyst at Gartner, shared a global perspective on AI regulation, outlined what to expect in the next 12 months and offered guidance on preparing for an increasingly fragmented regulatory environment.

• “Most AI laws share a common structure, though each includes unique elements. Typically, these regulations define what AI is, establish one or more risk tiers and outline an associated set of obligations.”

• “When deploying higher-risk AI systems, enterprises must implement a risk management program to oversee, track and report on these systems in use and mitigate associated risks.”

• “Monitor the quality of the data exposed to high-risk AI systems, whether in the training or decision-making processes, and establish a human oversight process to monitor these systems.”

• “Establish AI training and literacy programs so users of high-risk AI systems understand risks and can report issues, should these systems display behavior outside of acceptable parameters.”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Sonika Choubey at sonika.choubey@gartner.com

Presented by Kristian Steenstrup, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner

After a decade of digital transformation, organizations are now facing new disruption from AI. As AI and automation reshape competition, customers, products, operations and leadership, what will the future of business look like? In this session, Kristian Steenstrup, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, outlined the next phase: autonomous business.

• “Autonomous business is a force multiplier. Go beyond technology leadership to create space for business innovation – this helps the CEO and board anticipate what’s next.”

• “Augmented workforce means greater impact. Identify roles that can benefit from AI-driven adaptive training to accelerate onboarding and support continuous learning.”

• “AI-powered products are raising consumer expectations. Automate product development with AI to drive innovation and unlock new revenue streams.”

• “Machine customers are increasing, so start preparing digital commerce platforms to handle inquiries and transactions from AI agents.”

• “The programmable economy will monetize new forms of value. Engage in developing and adopting fintech to support emerging economic exchanges.”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Sonika Choubey at sonika.choubey@gartner.com

Presented by DD Mishra, VP Analyst, Gartner

AI and generative AI (GenAI) bring new contract risks involving customer data, responsible AI and agentic AI. These risks are made more complex by changing pricing models, which can make costs unpredictable. In this session, DD Mishra, VP Analyst at Gartner, outlined how CIOs can handle the unique challenges of AI and GenAI contracts compared to traditional software and SaaS agreements.

• “Make sure vendors are clear about how they use and access data, and how they handle responsible AI – this helps manage contract risks.”

• “Watch for market changes. Adoption enthusiasm combined with unique cost drivers make navigating commercials precarious for the foreseeable future.”

• “Buyers want predictable and transparent pricing. Vendors don’t typically provide that, so it is vital for buyers to investigate the models and negotiate.” 

• “Play an active role in shaping future standards by pushing vendors to be transparent, predictable and focused on reducing risks.”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Sonika Choubey at sonika.choubey@gartner.com