Gartner predicts that 46 per cent of EMEA CIOs will move to a world where techies are no longer the sole proprietor of a company’s digital assets.
This is due to the rise of low-code, no-code, and generative AI services, which have made it possible for anyone to create and deploy digital solutions without the need for specialized IT skills.
While this trend is seen as positive by many, it also raises concerns about shadow IT and governance. Gartner’s survey of 2,457 CIO respondents across 84 countries found that only 29 per cent were specific about generative AI, suggesting that not all CIOs necessarily understand what AI is in the current context. This poses a risk, as organizations may start using AI tools without the proper safeguards in place.
Another concern is that the democratization of digital delivery could lead to a loss of control for CIOs. As more and more people within the organization are able to create and deploy digital solutions, it becomes more difficult for the CIO to maintain an overview of the entire IT environment.
This could lead to shadow IT, where departments implement their own IT solutions without the knowledge or consent of the IT department.
Gartner analyst Daniel Sanchez-Reina cautions that democratization of digital delivery must be accompanied by robust governance. Otherwise, CIOs may find themselves losing control of their IT environments.
The sources for this piece include an article in TheRegister.