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

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:

• Download more insights from the CIO Agenda for 2026
• Join us at a Gartner CIO Conference near you
• See how Gartner is the world authority on AI