Gartner ThinkCast

Harsh Konduli, a Gartner VP Analyst, and Katie Sutherland, Gartner Director of Advisory, delve into the urgent need for HR to redesign work in the AI era. They discuss three transformative approaches: augmenting existing workflows, reengineering processes, and inventing new AI-based methods. The duo emphasizes that guided AI adoption can convert employees into value creators. They also highlight the importance of strong partnerships between CHROs and CIOs to unlock AI's potential and equip leaders to thrive in this evolving landscape.

Emily Rose McRae, a Gartner Senior Director Analyst specializing in future work trends, tackles the complexities of AI’s impact on layoffs and productivity. She reveals that many recent layoffs aren't as AI-driven as headlines suggest, urging leaders to focus on the real pressures of rising performance expectations. The conversation dives into the hidden productivity drain from low-quality AI outputs, termed 'workslop,' and stresses the importance of mental fitness in managing cultural strain. Emily advocates for a transparent, people-first approach to organizational change in an AI-first world.

Chris Howard, Gartner's Distinguished VP Analyst and CIO research lead, shares insights from the latest CIO Agenda survey for 2026. He highlights the importance of agility, risk management, and tenacity as key traits for successful CIOs. Chris discusses the need for dynamic reprioritization over static planning, the critical reassessment of vendor mixes amid digital sovereignty, and how to convert productivity gains into tangible financial impact. Tune in for actionable strategies to navigate the evolving challenges facing technology leaders.

Whit Andrews, a Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst specializing in AI strategy, dives into how leaders can effectively deploy AI in their organizations. He discusses the crucial choices of building, buying, or blending AI solutions and introduces Gartner's 'AI technology sandwich' framework. The conversation highlights the importance of embedding AI into existing structures and the governance challenges that arise. Andrews also shares insights on aligning high-end AI experiences with everyday organizational needs and emphasizes starting with smaller AI projects for effective deployment.

Don Scheibenreif, a Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner who specializes in customer experience and AI, dives into the evolving landscape of customer interactions. He reveals that by 2025, some of the most valuable customers may not be human. With AI agents reshaping buying decisions, CEOs need to bridge the gap between their perceptions and actual customer needs. The balance between automation and genuine human connection is crucial as businesses adapt. Don also highlights the emotional aspects of AI adoption and the importance of executives understanding their changing roles.

Deepak Seth, a Gartner director analyst and AI strategist, dives into the rapid evolution of AI and its real-world implications. He discusses the current state of AI on the Hype Cycle, revealing that organizations often struggle with operationalization due to common pitfalls. Deepak emphasizes the importance of embedding AI in change management for effective adoption and warns against viewing AI agents as the ultimate solution. He also makes bold predictions for the future, including AI-free products and the rise of augmented collective intelligence.

Join Gene Alvarez, a Gartner expert on technology trends and CIO guidance, and Tori Paulman, who specializes in AI infrastructure, as they dive into key tech trends shaping 2026. They introduce the 'innovation superheroes'—the Architect, the Synthesist, and the Vanguard—who will help organizations navigate rapid change. Discover why AI is no longer optional, the impact of supercomputing on productivity, the importance of multi-agent systems, and the role of preemptive cybersecurity in protecting enterprises.

In this engaging discussion, Hung LeHong, a Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst known for his expertise in technology strategy, dives deep into the concept of AI shockwaves. He explains why these disruptions are more significant than mere productivity gains. Hung shares intriguing examples, like how generative AI can transform translation and tutoring markets. He also explores the potential of AI investment bots and the implications for software purchasing. Ultimately, he uncovers the treacherous odds of creating real disruption in today’s business landscape.

Alicia Mullery, a Gartner expert on AI strategies, teams up with Daryl Plummer, a fellow expert specializing in AI accuracy and vendor selection, for a thought-provoking keynote. They explore the crucial gap between human and AI readiness, highlighting that human factors could undermine AI investments. With insights on managing AI costs, the importance of decision-making agents, and strategic vendor choices, they emphasize the need for CIOs to rethink their approach. Their recommendations for a 'value remix' strategy offer a fresh perspective on leveraging AI for growth.

Mary Mesaglio, a Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst, shares her insights on the future challenges for IT leaders based on her discussions at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo. She highlights four key challenges: geopolitical volatility, AI vendor races, workforce identity shifts, and the need for strategic flexibility. Mesaglio emphasizes the importance of optionality in decision-making and treating AI's impact on workforce identity as a critical threat, urging leaders to co-create roles to maintain employee engagement.