The CIO role is changing. Here’s what’s on the horizon

Top chief information officers are focusing on cloud technology, AI and data, and their relationship with the C-suite, according to a new survey.

Chief information officers have played a crucial role in companies’ digital transformation efforts, including integrating vital new technologies into the workplace. Now the CIO role itself is evolving, according to a new survey of more than 500 CIOs from professional services firm Genpact and the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium.

Survey results reflect the evolution of the role; where CIOs were once value-delivery engines, they’re now co-creators of new business models, said Sanjay Srivastava, chief digital officer at Genpact.

“One of the things I frequently hear from CIOs is that technology is no longer the long pole in the tent,” Srivastava said during a panel discussion at the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium this spring.

There are still technology tasks to be done, like setting up data lakes or cloud computing. But technology is no longer the hardest part — transformation is, as leaders manage people, processes, data, and technology.  

“If you look at data and information technology, generally, it’s never been more relevant around the boardroom table,” said Rogan Moore, the chief digital and information officer at Livekindly Collective, a collection of plant-based brands and startups.

Working more directly on digital transformation means a focus on cloud infrastructure, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, as CIOs learn from — and educate — other executives, and focus on hiring the right people.

Here’s a look at what top CIOs said about the evolution of their role.

According to the survey, CIOs tend to fall into one of three categories:

Pilots are at the top of their field and drive transformation for their companies. They build new business models and embrace digital technology, and they are ready to support growth for the business. Pilot CIOs innovate with cloud technology and prioritize artificial intelligence and machine learning. About 22% of CIO survey respondents fell into this category.

Co-pilots collaborate and work hand-in-hand with their business counterparts and stakeholders to build the model for the future and transform the business. Co-pilots are modernizing their application stack to deliver new capability. About 61% of the CIOs would be considered co-pilots.

Flight engineers deliver value by taking direction from other leaders and stakeholders. Engineers are often in catch-up mode when it comes to things like cloud technology. Just 17% of CIOs are in this category.

The ability to support business growth sets pilot CIOs apart from others, Srivastava said. While most of the pilots said they are ready to support business growth, only 44% of survey respondents overall felt that way.