AI opportunities abound, but risk is ever present

In recent years, organizations rushed to AI as it unlocked exponential possibilities and reimagined the technological future.

That future is taking shape now, at the intersection of innovation and control, power and progress. In the coming year, AI ownership and governance will be determined as threats and fit-for-purpose solutions become more real.

Learn about the four AI trends that will inform AI strategies in 2025 with our annual AI Trends report.

Four key trends will impact organizations in 2025

In this report, we explore four trends in emerging and leading-edge technologies and the practices needed to meet your organization’s AI ambitions.

1. IT takes the lead for developing AI strategy

AI strategy is new for most organizations, and many are calling on their IT leaders to lead the development of their AI strategy in order to realize effective, business-aligned, and responsible AI.

2. Solution-based offerings are leading assessments

When it comes to AI, should you build or buy? As the AI ecosystem of tools and solutions continues to evolve and grow, most organizations are looking to buy.

3. AI regulations are driving responsible AI frameworks

Regulatory initiatives are emerging around the world to guard against the unintended consequences of AI technology. Organizations must be ready to comply.

4. Deepfake threats continue to rise

Organizations must shore up their defenses as AI-based cyberattacks and deepfakes are emerging at the top of the list of cybersecurity threats.

AI Trends 2025 Research & Tools

1. AI Trends 2025 Report

AI’s future is here, and its promise of innovation is matched only by its risk and complexity. The responsibility for navigating the delicate balance of AI risk and AI reward has fallen to CIOs and IT leaders. In the race to adopt AI, IT must:

Lead the development of AI strategy.
Extract value from emergent AI solutions.
Build guardrails for responsible AI.
Counter rising AI-based cyberattacks.

Learn about the four trends that will inform AI strategies in 2025.

AI Trends 2025

Four key AI trends affecting CIOs.

FOUR AI TRENDS FOR 2025

In this report, we explore four AI trends for emerging and leading-edge technologies and practices that can improve the capabilities needed to meet the ambitions of your organization.

01 AI Strategy
The CIO and IT are the ones asked most often to lead the development of the organization’s AI strategy.

02 AI Ecosystem
The ecosystem of AI tools and solutions continues to evolve and grow.

03 AI Regulations
AI regulations and legislation are emerging and continuing to grow.

04 Deepfake Threats
Use of AI to create very realistic deepfakes is on the rise and is a threat to individuals and the democratic process.

Nearly 1,000 survey responses from IT leaders

The Future of IT 2025 survey

The AI Trends 2025 report is based on the Future of IT 2025 survey conducted in May and June 2024.

Most respondents were in North America, but countries around the globe were represented.

Over half of respondents held director-level or more senior positions.

Top industries represented:

Government/Public Sector
Financial Services
Media, Information, Telecom
Education
Healthcare

TREND 1

IT Takes the Lead for Developing AI Strategy

AI strategy is new for most organizations

What best describes your organization’s approach to AI strategy?

A pie chart showing approach to AI strategy

INSIGHTS

Developing an AI strategy is new for most organizations.

41% of respondents said an AI strategy is being developed or will be developed soon.
26% said there is no specific AI strategy, but AI will be part of IT and business strategies.

Challenge: Creating value

When it comes to harnessing AI to create value, rank the following challenges for how much they hinder the adoption of your AI initiative.

Challenge	Order of average ranking
Lack of AI or data management skills	1
AI governance	2
Data platform not optimized for AI	3
Complexity of integration/selecting use case	4
Lack of budget or executive support	5
Inability to manage AI risks	6
Cultural resistance	7
Lack of automated tools	8
Lack of infrastructure	9

Source: Info-Tech Future of IT Survey, 2024; n=338

INSIGHTS

Many business and technical challenges present barriers to successfully deploying and adopting AI initiatives.

Lack of skills and AI governance are the most difficult challenges.
Having the proper data platform and selecting the right AI use case to pursue were also noted as significant challenges.