CIOs told: Prove your AI pays off – or pay the price

The report, "The 7 Career-Making AI Decisions for CIOs in 2026," claims AI is facing corporate accountability in 2026 after several years of investment into research and pilot projects. CIOs are worried their careers are on the line if the tech's effectiveness falls short of expectations.

...

Time is running out, the report claims. Some 71 percent of the CIOs surveyed believe their AI budget will likely face cuts or a freeze if targets are not met by the end of the first half of 2026. And the consequences won't just stop at funding: 85 percent of CIOs believe their employers will tie their compensation to measurable AI outcomes, and many say the same applies to their chief exec.