Gartner ThinkCast
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Gartner ThinkCast

by Gartner

NewAI Needs People: Why CIOs Are Rethinking the Productivity PlayJuly 9, 2026 · 25 min
Episodes
300
Released
weekly
Latest episode
Jul 9, 2026
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About the podcast

Gartner ThinkCast puts you at the intersection of business and technology with insights from the top experts on how to build a more successful organization, team and career in the Digital Era. Join us every Tuesday to get your competitive advantage. View all Gartner ThinkCast episodes at https://www.gartner.com/en/podcasts/thinkcast

Episodes 300

  1. AI Needs People: Why CIOs Are Rethinking the Productivity Play

    25 min

    Many companies cut talent in pursuit of AI value. Now they're discovering what was lost in the process. In this episode, we explore a shift taking place in organizations' AI journeys: after an initial rush to …

    Show notes

    Many companies cut talent in pursuit of AI value. Now they're discovering what was lost in the process.

    In this episode, we explore a shift taking place in organizations' AI journeys: after an initial rush to pursue productivity gains and cost savings, many leaders are rediscovering that human expertise is essential to realizing AI's full value. Gartner Senior Executive Partner Denise McCurdy joins us to share what she's hearing directly from CIOs as they navigate mounting pressure to deliver AI outcomes, implement agentic AI and prepare for new operating models — all while preserving the people, knowledge and relationships that drive lasting transformation.

    You'll learn:

    • Why productivity gains alone rarely create lasting AI value
    • The difference between "blue money" and "green money" outcomes
    • How organizations are rehiring talent they initially replaced
    • Why CIOs must deepen collaboration with CFOs and business leaders

    Dig deeper:

  2. How Executives Actually Talk About AI

    28 min

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we explore how executive conversations about AI are rapidly evolving — and why focusing on ROI alone is no longer enough. Drawing from his standout session from Gartner CIO …

    Show notes

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we explore how executive conversations about AI are rapidly evolving — and why focusing on ROI alone is no longer enough. Drawing from his standout session from Gartner CIO Leadership Forum, VP Analyst Nate Suda unpacks three distinct C-suite perspectives shaping AI strategy today: value, workforce and operating philosophy.

    You'll learn:

    • The three critical AI conversations happening across the C-suite
    • Why ROI is no longer a sufficient measure of AI success
    • How "human-plus" work and shifting team boundaries are reshaping the organization
    • What defines an AI-shaped enterprise and how to start thinking like one

    Dig deeper:

  3. The 3 Practices for Leading Through Uncertainty

    9 min

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we dive into what strong leadership really looks like when the path ahead is unclear. From economic disruption to AI-fueled transformation, uncertainty is now a defining …

    Show notes

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we dive into what strong leadership really looks like when the path ahead is unclear. From economic disruption to AI-fueled transformation, uncertainty is now a defining feature of the business landscape.

    Gartner expert Mary Mesaglio returns to offer a succinct and timely playbook. Drawing from conversations with CEOs, CIOs and senior leadership around the globe, Mary shares three practical strategies for leading through volatility, ambiguity and change. Learn why clear communication, hyper-focused priorities and transparent guiding principles are the essential tools every executive and new leader needs today.

    You'll learn:

    • Why corporate-speak fails in times of change and what to say instead
    • The 10x10x10 rule for reinforcing priorities with your team
    • How guiding principles offer stability and direction

    Dig deeper:

  4. Get AI ROI Unstuck: From Productivity to True Business Value

    25 min

    AI is delivering pockets of productivity, but far less business value than expected. In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Distinguished VP Analyst Fran Karamouzis explores why so much AI ROI remains stuck …

    Show notes

    AI is delivering pockets of productivity, but far less business value than expected.

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Distinguished VP Analyst Fran Karamouzis explores why so much AI ROI remains stuck inside organizations, never reaching the bottom line. While many leaders expect gains in individual productivity to translate directly into financial outcomes, legacy processes, siloed structures and outdated operating models often prevent that value from scaling. In a preview of a recent standout webinar, you'll hear what it really takes to unlock measurable impact — from rethinking how work flows across teams, to redesigning end‑to‑end processes, and leading the organizational change required to make AI stick.

    You'll learn:

    • Why productivity gains alone don't guarantee financial returns
    • Where AI value gets trapped inside workflows and operating models
    • How to redesign work around end‑to‑end outcomes, not individual tasks
    • What it takes to lead organizational change and consistently convert AI into ROI

    Dig deeper:

  5. The AI Services Split: From Digital to Phygital

    24 min

    AI is pushing the services industry into a new kind of competitive divide. In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Gartner experts Craig Lowery and Scott Frederick explore the growing split in AI services — where …

    Show notes

    AI is pushing the services industry into a new kind of competitive divide.

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Gartner experts Craig Lowery and Scott Frederick explore the growing split in AI services — where platform-driven, AI-enabled providers are accelerating ahead, and digital-only models are struggling to keep up. From autonomous agents and intelligent service delivery platforms to the rise of "phygital" experiences, they unpack how AI is moving beyond apps into real-world environments — and what that means for competition, growth and strategy.

    You'll learn:

    • Why the AI services market is splitting and who's winning
    • How AI agents and platforms enable "growth without growth"
    • Why hyperscalers threaten digital-only service strategies
    • Where "phygital" experiences create new competitive advantage

    Dig deeper:

  6. The 2026 Hype Cycle for Agentic AI: What Leaders Need to Know

    22 min

    Agentic AI is likely the most hyped technology in enterprise IT, but its long-term potential is still just as real. In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Distinguished VP Analyst Rajesh Kandaswamy breaks down …

    Show notes

    Agentic AI is likely the most hyped technology in enterprise IT, but its long-term potential is still just as real.

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Distinguished VP Analyst Rajesh Kandaswamy breaks down the 2026 Hype Cycle for Agentic AI — what it is, why it matters, and how leaders can separate real opportunity from market noise. From rising investment interest to the challenges of governance, integration and scale, this conversation unpacks where organizations are today — and what comes next.

    You'll learn:

    • What Gartner Hype Cycles reveal and how to use them effectively
    • Why agentic AI is at peak hype, but still early in adoption
    • The real barriers to success: governance, guardrails and clean data
    • How to identify high-value use cases and avoid "agent washing"

    Dig deeper:

  7. Turn AI Risk Into a Resilience Advantage

    27 min

    AI adoption is accelerating fast, but so is enterprise risk. In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Distinguished VP Analyst Paul Furtado explores the growing reality facing leaders: nearly every organization is …

    Show notes

    AI adoption is accelerating fast, but so is enterprise risk.

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Distinguished VP Analyst Paul Furtado explores the growing reality facing leaders: nearly every organization is investing in AI, yet most expect it to increase their risk profile.

    Drawing from real-world examples, Paul breaks down how AI can shift from a source of exposure to a powerful driver of resilience — reducing remediation time, improving threat detection, and strengthening fraud prevention.

    You'll learn:

    • The three priorities leaders must get right: security, governance and talent
    • How to focus on AI use cases that actually reduce risk
    • What separates successful AI adoption from high-speed failure

    Dig deeper:

  8. Scaling Agentic AI: Why CIOs Can't Go It Alone

    28 min

    Agentic AI is already reshaping how work gets done, and the biggest risk for CIOs isn't failure, it's falling behind. In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner VP Analyst Brandon Germer explains why scaling agentic …

    Show notes

    Agentic AI is already reshaping how work gets done, and the biggest risk for CIOs isn't failure, it's falling behind.

    In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner VP Analyst Brandon Germer explains why scaling agentic AI can't be done in silos, and how CIOs must co-lead with other C-suite members to build the financial, operational, and governance foundations for enterprise-wide impact.

    You'll learn:

    • Why the biggest risk in agentic AI isn't failure — it's waiting too long to act
    • What it takes to scale AI beyond isolated use cases into enterprise-wide systems
    • How to align the CIO, CFO, COO and CHRO around shared outcomes
    • Why the CIO's role is shifting from technology owner to orchestrator

    Dig deeper:

  9. Inside the Top Cybersecurity Trends for 2026

    21 min

    AI is accelerating. Threats are evolving. And the pressure on cybersecurity leaders has never been higher. In this episode of ThinkCast, we explore the trends shaping 2026 — where AI adoption, agentic systems …

    Show notes

    AI is accelerating. Threats are evolving. And the pressure on cybersecurity leaders has never been higher.

    In this episode of ThinkCast, we explore the trends shaping 2026 — where AI adoption, agentic systems, and mounting regulation are pushing security programs to their limits and forcing CISOs to rethink how they operate and where they invest.

    Gartner experts Chiara Girardi and William Candrick break down the most critical shifts, from AI-powered social engineering and behavior risk, to automation in the Security Operations Center (SOC), postquantum urgency, and securing AI agents through modern identity strategies.

    You'll learn:

    • Why AI is breaking traditional security awareness models
    • How SOC teams must evolve without losing critical skills
    • What "harvest now, decrypt later" means for your data
    • How identity is becoming the control plane for AI agents

    Dig deeper:

  10. The 4 Cs of Manager Communication: How to Build Trust, Clarity and Engagement

    19 min

    Managers are stretched thin, but remain the most powerful voice for employee trust. In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner VP Analyst Alexandra Earl introduces the 4 C's of Manager Communication Competencies …

    Show notes

    Managers are stretched thin, but remain the most powerful voice for employee trust.

    In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner VP Analyst Alexandra Earl introduces the 4 C's of Manager Communication Competencies: Championing, Coaching, Conversing and Connecting. From helping employees link strategy to daily work, to creating true two-way dialogue, Alexandra outlines a clear framework to elevate communication and improve team engagement.

    You'll Learn:

    • Why managers remain the most effective communication channel
    • The 4 essential communication competencies every manager must build
    • How contextualization helps employees see themselves in strategy
    • Practical steps for self-assessment and peer support networks

    Dig deeper:

    This episode originally aired September 9, 2025

  11. AI After the Hype: Why Scaling Value Means Quitting More

    25 min

    AI hype hasn't disappeared, but patience has. In this episode of ThinkCast, recorded from the Gartner CIO Leadership Forum Opening Keynote, Gartner VP Analyst Tori Paulman breaks down why many AI initiatives …

    Show notes

    AI hype hasn't disappeared, but patience has.

    In this episode of ThinkCast, recorded from the Gartner CIO Leadership Forum Opening Keynote, Gartner VP Analyst Tori Paulman breaks down why many AI initiatives stall after early wins — and what separates CIOs who move through the hype from those who fail to generate lasting value.

    Hear why organizations making real progress with AI aren't chasing the next breakthrough use case. Instead, they're changing how they decide what to stop, when to quit, where to double down, and how to lead through the Trough of Disillusionment.

    You'll learn:

    • How CIOs who deliver value decide when to persist, pivot, or pull the plug
    • What it really means to scale AI beyond pilots and proofs of concept
    • Why "quitting better" is a leadership skill — not a failure
    • How to move from AI hype toward an AI‑shaped organization

    Dig deeper:

  12. The "AI-Free" Trust Disruption: Backlash or the Future of Responsible AI?

    25 min

    AI is now everywhere, but trust is breaking down just as fast. As synthetic content floods our feeds and workflows, leaders face a new question: when does AI help, and when does it quietly undermine …

    Show notes

    AI is now everywhere, but trust is breaking down just as fast. As synthetic content floods our feeds and workflows, leaders face a new question: when does AI help, and when does it quietly undermine credibility?

    In this episode of ThinkCast, Gartner Senior Director Analyst Deepak Seth returns to explore a growing counter‑movement: the rise of "AI‑free" trust. From content labels that signal human creation to new expectations around AI governance, Deepak breaks down why trust — not capability — is becoming the defining challenge of the next AI era.

    You'll learn:

    • Why "AI‑free" could become the new organic label for content and brands
    • How trust, provenance and context shape responsible AI use
    • What recent high‑profile failures reveal about over‑automation risks
    • How CIOs can build guardrails without stalling innovation

    Dig deeper:

  13. The AI Upskill Most Teams Are Overlooking

    31 min

    Most AI initiatives don't fail because the technology is wrong; they fail because the humans around it stop thinking as carefully as they used to. In this episode of ThinkCast, recorded from a live session at …

    Show notes

    Most AI initiatives don't fail because the technology is wrong; they fail because the humans around it stop thinking as carefully as they used to.

    In this episode of ThinkCast, recorded from a live session at Gartner CIO Leadership Forum, Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Mandi Bishop breaks down why so‑called "soft skills" have quietly become the hardest — and most essential — capability to scale in the age of AI. From practical workforce exercises to Mandi's own racing experience, hear how over‑reliance, complacency and automation bias creep in — and how CIOs can rebuild critical thinking, judgment and contextual awareness to turn AI tools into true performance accelerators.

    You'll learn:

    • Why automation bias is one of the biggest hidden risks in AI adoption
    • How soft skills like skepticism and judgment directly impact AI outcomes
    • Why hands‑on techniques, like hallucination hunts, can build real AI literacy
    • How better prompting reinforces human thinking instead of replacing it
    • What CIOs can do now to operationalize soft skills across the enterprise

    Dig deeper:

  14. Human Moments That Matter in an AI‑Driven Customer Experience

    25 min

    AI can answer faster, personalize at scale, and automate entire customer journeys, but it can't make someone feel seen. In this episode of ThinkCast, recorded from a live session at Gartner CIO Leadership …

    Show notes

    AI can answer faster, personalize at scale, and automate entire customer journeys, but it can't make someone feel seen.

    In this episode of ThinkCast, recorded from a live session at Gartner CIO Leadership Forum, Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Don Scheibenreif explores why customer experience breaks down when efficiency overtakes empathy — and what CIOs can do to keep humanity at the center of AI‑driven design. Through real‑world stories from travel, retail, financial services and the public sector, Don shows how "moments of humanity" shape trust, loyalty and long‑term growth.

    You'll learn:

    • What happens when organizations over‑automate customer relationships
    • How to recognize and design for moments that truly matter
    • Where empathy fits into AI‑driven efficiency efforts
    • Why CX challenges often stem from design decisions, not technology limits
    • How CIOs can ensure AI enhances experiences without dehumanizing them

    Dig deeper:

  15. How AI Really Thinks — and Why It Hallucinates

    13 min

    In this episode of ThinkCast, we explore one of the most persistent — and evolving — challenges with AI: hallucinations. Gartner Chief of Research Chris Howard breaks down what hallucinations really are, why …

    Show notes

    In this episode of ThinkCast, we explore one of the most persistent — and evolving — challenges with AI: hallucinations.

    Gartner Chief of Research Chris Howard breaks down what hallucinations really are, why they happen and what they reveal about how machines think. From multiagent systems to physics-informed neural networks, discover how the next wave of AI innovation is moving beyond prediction and toward precision, all while relying on AI-ready data.

    You'll learn:

    • Why hallucinations happen and what they say about how AI works
    • How multiagent systems and PINNs are changing how machines reason
    • When to use probabilistic neural networks vs. deterministic tools
    • Why not every business problem needs AI
    • How hallucinations might actually help reframe your thinking

    Dig deeper:

  16. AI Is Ready, Your Workforce Isn't: Why AI ROI Falls Short

    19 min

    Most organizations don't have an AI problem — they have a human readiness problem. Despite massive investment and accelerating adoption, most AI initiatives are falling short of real business impact. The reason …

    Show notes

    Most organizations don't have an AI problem — they have a human readiness problem.

    Despite massive investment and accelerating adoption, most AI initiatives are falling short of real business impact. The reason isn't immature technology. It's that workforces, roles and leaders haven't been prepared for what AI actually changes.

    In this episode, Gartner VP Analyst Alicia Mullery explains why the gap between AI innovation and AI outcomes continues to widen. In a preview of her recent webinar on workforce readiness, you'll hear what's really happening: not mass layoffs, but hiring restraint, role redesign, and a strategic remix of talent — all of which demand far more change management than most organizations anticipate.

    You'll learn:

    • Why most AI initiatives stall at productivity gains instead of delivering financial ROI
    • The three types of AI value and how confusion between them derails results
    • What's actually happening to jobs as AI adoption accelerates
    • The essential skills every employee needs in an AI‑dominant future
    • Why change management is the missing linchpin for sustained AI impact

    Dig deeper:

  17. No APIs, No AI: Organizing Software Engineering for Today's AI Reality

    18 min

    How should software engineering evolve for the age of AI? As organizations rush to weave GenAI and agentic AI into every product and workflow, engineering teams face a new reality: you can't scale AI without …

    Show notes

    How should software engineering evolve for the age of AI? As organizations rush to weave GenAI and agentic AI into every product and workflow, engineering teams face a new reality: you can't scale AI without redesigning how software gets built.

    In this episode, Gartner experts Manjunath Bhat, Akis Sklavounakis and Shameen Pillai break down what that redesign actually looks like. They'll explore the team structures that help scale GenAI to repeatable delivery, the platform patterns that reduce cognitive load and drive value, and the API strategies that AI implementation can't function without.

    You'll learn:

    • Why GenAI efforts fail without the right team structures
    • How platform engineering reduces complexity and accelerates delivery
    • Why APIs are the backbone of GenAI and agentic AI
    • The five‑dimension API maturity model and where to focus first
    • The tools and next steps to scale AI safely and effectively

    Dig deeper:

  18. Mastering the Hype Cycle: How Cybersecurity Leaders Win With AI

    35 min

    AI hype isn't slowing down, and for cybersecurity leaders, that's exactly the point. As organizations race to inject generative AI and AI agents into every corner of the business, CISOs face a new challenge …

    Show notes

    AI hype isn't slowing down, and for cybersecurity leaders, that's exactly the point. As organizations race to inject generative AI and AI agents into every corner of the business, CISOs face a new challenge: cutting through inflated expectations without getting left behind.

    In this preview of the Opening Keynote from Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit, Gartner experts Christine Lee and Leigh McMullen explain why now is the moment for cybersecurity to stop resisting the Hype Cycle, and start using it as a strategic advantage.

    You'll learn:

    • Why AI hype is becoming a catalyst, not a distraction, for cybersecurity
    • How to use outcome‑driven metrics to guide smarter investments
    • The biggest risks and realities of GenAI and AI agents
    • What early AI adopters in cybersecurity are doing differently
    • How embracing hype can strengthen resilience and unlock innovation

    Dig deeper:

  19. A World Without Truth: Building TrustOps for the AI Era

    23 min

    Disinformation isn't just a societal problem anymore — it's an enterprise risk with real operational, financial and reputational consequences. And as AI supercharges the volume, speed and precision of …

    Show notes

    Disinformation isn't just a societal problem anymore — it's an enterprise risk with real operational, financial and reputational consequences. And as AI supercharges the volume, speed and precision of misleading content, leaders are suddenly facing a new kind of threat: one that can't be contained by traditional cybersecurity alone.

    Distinguished VP Analyst and Gartner Fellow Dave Aron joins us to unpack why organizations must prepare for a "world without truth" — and why building an enterprise-wide discipline called TrustOps is the next essential capability for leaders across the C-suite.

    You'll learn:

    • Why disinformation is exploding into a trillion‑dollar risk
    • How industrial disinformation works
    • Why cybersecurity can't handle modern misinformation
    • The top 90‑day moves leaders must make to protect brand trust
    • How a Trust Council becomes your frontline defense

    Dig deeper:

  20. IT Operations Are Not Ready for AI Agents: How to Respond Today

    23 min

    AI is accelerating faster than most IT organizations can keep up, and I&O leaders are feeling the impact. In this episode, Gartner experts Autumn Stanish and Paul Delory break down what AI's rapid rise really …

    Show notes

    AI is accelerating faster than most IT organizations can keep up, and I&O leaders are feeling the impact. In this episode, Gartner experts Autumn Stanish and Paul Delory break down what AI's rapid rise really means for IT operations, and why doing nothing is no longer an option.

    Drawing from their Opening Keynote presented at Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies Conference, Autumn and Paul reveal the risks, realities and opportunities behind AI agents — and the urgent changes I&O teams must make to stay in front of the business instead of falling behind it.

    Tune in to discover:

    • The growing risk of "AI agent sprawl" and how to prevent it
    • Why outdated operating models make I&O the bottleneck for AI adoption
    • How continuous operations creates the guardrails needed for safe, scalable AI
    • The roadmap that prepares your infrastructure for AI agents today

    Dig deeper:

  21. Nail Your Next Board Presentation: The Framework Every CIO Needs

    30 min

    Board presentations are high‑stakes, and most CIOs are still missing the mark. In this episode, Gartner expert Tina Nunno reveals why board members remain uncertain about the value of tech investments, and how …

    Show notes

    Board presentations are high‑stakes, and most CIOs are still missing the mark. In this episode, Gartner expert Tina Nunno reveals why board members remain uncertain about the value of tech investments, and how CIOs can flip the script with a sharper, simpler, shareholder‑value‑first narrative.

    Pulled from her recent webinar on board presentation prep, Tina breaks down how to align every message to what boards actually care about, cut rework across your team, and deliver a value story compelling enough to earn trust — and investment.

    Tune in to discover:

    • Why 76% of board members lack confidence in current IT investments
    • The value framework CIOs can use to link tech investments directly to business outcomes
    • Ways to streamline prep time while improving clarity, credibility and impact
    • How to communicate risk, ROI and innovation without overwhelming the board

    Dig deeper:

  22. Your CEO's Priorities for 2026: The New Executive Playbook

    25 min

    CEOs are entering 2026 under intense pressure. Turbulent markets, geopolitical shifts and the accelerating impact of AI have created a series of "wicked messes" that demand new leadership playbooks. In this …

    Show notes

    CEOs are entering 2026 under intense pressure. Turbulent markets, geopolitical shifts and the accelerating impact of AI have created a series of "wicked messes" that demand new leadership playbooks. In this episode, Distinguished VP Analyst Don Scheibenreif breaks down Gartner's CEO Agenda for 2026 and what it means for CIOs navigating the same uncertainty.

    Drawing from his presentation at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, Don reveals how CEO priorities are shifting — from managing turmoil‑driven growth to solving the AI value conundrum — and where CIOs can step in with clarity, direction and strategic influence.

    Tune in to discover:

    • Why CEO confidence is wavering and the forces driving it
    • How geopolitical factors are reshaping markets, supply chains and tech choices
    • Where CEOs see expansion opportunities despite economic instability
    • Why AI's promise is clear, but its value remains hard to capture
    • How sovereignty, infrastructure and regulation are redefining the AI landscape

    Dig deeper:

  23. The Disruptions That Will Reshape Everything by 2030

    25 min

    The future rarely arrives quietly. Disruptions — both anticipated and unexpected — are already reshaping the technology landscape, and CIOs need to be ready before they hit. In a preview of his presentation …

    Show notes

    The future rarely arrives quietly. Disruptions — both anticipated and unexpected — are already reshaping the technology landscape, and CIOs need to be ready before they hit.

    In a preview of his presentation from Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, Distinguished VP Analyst and Gartner Fellow Daryl Plummer explores the pivotal disruptions that could accelerate change faster than most leaders realize. These insights go beyond prediction; they're a roadmap for recognizing, prioritizing and responding to forces that will redefine IT strategy and business value in the years ahead.

    Tune in to discover:

    • How AI and human behavior are colliding
    • Why AI‑free trust and certification will matter
    • How AI sovereignty is shifting global power
    • What AI agents mean for the future of work
    • Which technologies could transform entire markets
    • How to spot disruption before it accelerates

    Dig deeper:

  24. HR's New Mandate: Redesign Work for the AI Era

    25 min

    Although AI is everywhere, most initiatives aren't moving the needle on growth or cost. That's why HR leaders have a new mandate — stop focusing only on the workforce and start redesigning the work itself. In a …

    Show notes

    Although AI is everywhere, most initiatives aren't moving the needle on growth or cost. That's why HR leaders have a new mandate — stop focusing only on the workforce and start redesigning the work itself.

    In a preview of their Opening Keynote from Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo, Gartner experts Harsh Kundulli and Katie Sutherland reveal how HR can lead the way in three major shifts in work: augment to make existing work better; reengineer to redesign workflows and functions; and invent to create new AI-based ways of working.

    Discover how to:

    • Rethink work to drive growth and cost optimization
    • Understand the three types of work change: augment, reengineer, invent
    • Turn employees into AI value creators with guided adoption
    • Build strong CHRO–CIO partnerships to unlock AI's potential
    • Equip leaders to lead through AI transformation with practical tools

    Dig deeper:

  25. The Truth Behind AI Layoffs and the Future of Work Trends for 2026

    34 min

    AI-driven layoffs are making headlines, but is AI really the main culprit? Or is the story more complex? As organizations enter 2026, leaders face rising performance expectations, cultural strain, and mounting …

    Show notes

    AI-driven layoffs are making headlines, but is AI really the main culprit? Or is the story more complex? As organizations enter 2026, leaders face rising performance expectations, cultural strain, and mounting pressure to deliver productivity gains that rarely materialize. What does this mean for the future of work?

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, host Alexis Wierenga talks with Gartner expert Emily Rose McRae to break down Gartner's Future of Work Trends for 2026. From the truth behind AI-related workforce reductions, to the hidden risks of AI "workslop" and the growing importance of mental fitness, Emily Rose shares actionable insights for HR leaders, CIOs and executives navigating an AI-enabled workplace.

    You'll learn:

    • Why most AI-driven layoffs aren't what they seem
    • How "workslop" creates a hidden productivity drain in organizations
    • Why leaders aren't seeing expected productivity gains
    • Why performance pressure is rising and how to protect culture
    • The critical role of mental fitness in an AI-first world

    Dig deeper:

  26. Gartner's CIO Agenda for 2026: The A.R.T. of Effective Execution

    19 min

    As CIOs enter 2026, the pressure is on: Budgets are flat, headcount is tight, and yet expectations for growth, innovation, and AI adoption are soaring. How can technology leaders deliver impact when resources …

    Show notes

    As CIOs enter 2026, the pressure is on: Budgets are flat, headcount is tight, and yet expectations for growth, innovation, and AI adoption are soaring. How can technology leaders deliver impact when resources are constrained and the pace of change is relentless?

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Gartner expert Chris Howard walks through the latest CIO Agenda survey results for 2026, as debuted at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo. From navigating geopolitical vendor risk to shifting planning cycles and driving financial impact beyond productivity, Chris shares actionable insights for CIOs looking to lead with agility, manage risk strategically, and push through uncertainty with tenacity.

    Tune in to discover:

    • Why agility, risk and tenacity are the defining traits of successful CIOs in 2026
    • How to pivot from annual planning to dynamic reprioritization
    • Why rethinking your vendor mix is critical amid rising digital sovereignty
    • How to move beyond productivity gains to deliver measurable financial impact
    • What AI adoption means for talent strategies and organizational resilience

    Dig deeper:

  27. Best of 2025 | Build, Buy or Bring-Your-Own AI: What's on Your Tech Sandwich?

    46 min

    As we close out the year, we're bringing you some of 2025's standout ThinkCast episodes. Today's episode, originally released in April, explores how leaders can scale AI using Gartner's "AI tech sandwich": In …

    Show notes

    As we close out the year, we're bringing you some of 2025's standout ThinkCast episodes. Today's episode, originally released in April, explores how leaders can scale AI using Gartner's "AI tech sandwich":

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we tackle one of the most pressing questions facing executive leaders today: How should organizations approach AI deployment?

    Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Whit Andrews joins host Karen Stokes Lockhart to help answer whether leaders should build, buy or blend when approaching their AI integration, while further exploring Gartner's "AI technology sandwich" framework.

    Tune in to hear Whit and Karen discuss the multiple layers of enterprise AI, including embedded AI, bring-your-own AI and the critical governance decisions that support a responsible, scalable foundation for IT and tech leaders navigating a complex AI landscape.

    Dig Deeper:

  28. Best of 2025 | The Future of Customer Experience: AI Agents, Machine Customers and What CEOs Must Know

    24 min

    As we close out the year, we're bringing you some of 2025's standout ThinkCast episodes. Today's episode, originally released in May, dives into the rapid emergence of machine customers and how AI agents are …

    Show notes
    As we close out the year, we're bringing you some of 2025's standout ThinkCast episodes. Today's episode, originally released in May, dives into the rapid emergence of machine customers and how AI agents are transforming customer experience looks:

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we explore what customer experience looks like today — a world where your most valuable customers might not even be human. Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Don Scheibenreif joins host Alexis Wierenga to unpack how CEO perceptions, AI agents and machine customers are reshaping CX strategy.

    Drawing from Gartner's latest CEO research, Don shares critical insights on the shift in customer expectations, the rapid emergence of autonomous buyers and the emotional impact of AI adoption. Whether you're designing for humans, machines or both, this episode offers a roadmap for getting customer experience right in an AI-first future.

    Tune in to discover:

    • Why CEOs may not know their customers as well as they think
    • What machine customers are and why they matter now
    • The key blind spots in AI-driven CX strategies
    • How to balance automation and humanity to create trust

    Dig deeper:

  29. The Future of AI Implementation: What's After AI Agents?

    28 min

    AI is transforming faster than leaders can rewrite their strategies, and staying ahead requires a new kind of clarity. So how do you move beyond experimentation and hype to build AI that truly delivers business …

    Show notes

    AI is transforming faster than leaders can rewrite their strategies, and staying ahead requires a new kind of clarity. So how do you move beyond experimentation and hype to build AI that truly delivers business value?

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Gartner Director Analyst Deepak Seth joins to explore what's next in AI implementation, including what comes after AI agents. He'll break down where AI really sits on the Gartner Hype Cycle today, why organizations struggle to operationalize new capabilities, and how leaders can stay grounded while still planning for a rapidly shifting future.

    Tune in to discover:

    • How to overcome the most common implementation pitfalls
    • Why value from AI is a journey, not an overnight return
    • How to make forward-looking decisions without falling into "wait and see" paralysis
    • Why AI agents won't define the long-term future of enterprise AI
    • What bold predictions could reshape the next decade

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  30. Top Tech Trends 2026: Meet the Innovation Superheroes

    25 min

    As disruption accelerates and AI becomes indispensable, CIOs and technology leaders face a critical question: How do you harness innovation without losing control? In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Gartner …

    Show notes

    As disruption accelerates and AI becomes indispensable, CIOs and technology leaders face a critical question: How do you harness innovation without losing control?

    In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Gartner experts Gene Alvarez and Tori Paulman walk through the Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2026, as debuted at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo. They explore why the pace of change is faster than ever, and how three new "innovation superheroes" — the Architect, the Synthesist, and the Vanguard — can help organizations build resilience, orchestrate intelligent systems and safeguard digital trust.

    Tune in to discover:

    • Why 2026 marks the end of "optional AI," and what that means for your strategy
    • How AI-native development platforms and supercomputing will transform productivity
    • Why multiagent systems and domain-specific language models are key to reducing complexity
    • How physical AI bridges the digital and physical worlds
    • Why preemptive cybersecurity and digital provenance are essential for enterprise protection

    Dig deeper:

These are the latest 100 of 300 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.

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