The MIT Sloan CIO Symposium in May highlighted the growing conversation around generative AI among CIOs. This reminded attendees of a similar buzz around cloud technology at the same event in 2010. Just as with the cloud, concerns over governance, security, and responsible use are prevalent when it comes to AI.
However, in 2010, the consumerization of IT was just beginning, with employees seeking the same user experience at work as they had at home. This led to the rise of “shadow IT” as employees sought out their own solutions when faced with IT’s refusal. Today, CIOs understand that simply saying no to generative AI will not stop employees from finding a way to use these tools. While legitimate concerns like hallucinations and IP ownership persist, there are also concerns about security, compliance, and data control.
CIOs speaking at the conference were more realistic and recognized that they cannot control the adoption of generative AI. Instead, they focus on promoting responsible use and ensuring employees understand their responsibilities as users of these tools. CIOs like Akira Bell from Mathematica emphasize the need for governance, data readiness, and best practices when using AI. They also explore how generative AI can enhance core capabilities and create new service offerings for customers.
Angelica Tritzo from GE Vernova takes a deliberate approach to implementing generative AI. She acknowledges that the full potential and cost-benefit of the technology may not be fully understood yet. Through pilots and experimentation, she aims to learn what works and what doesn’t while helping employees become familiar with AI.
Chris Bedi from ServiceNow believes that employees will soon demand access to AI tools as part of their job functions. He emphasizes the need for companies to teach their workforce about AI to create an AI-literate workforce. ServiceNow has implemented learning pathways to ensure all employees are comfortable with AI.
Overall, IT executives have learned from past experiences and understand that they cannot simply lock down or refuse the adoption of generative AI. Instead, they are finding ways to guide employees in using these tools safely and effectively. Failure to do so may result in employees using AI tools independently. The focus now is on responsible use, governance, enhancing core capabilities, and educating the workforce to fully leverage the potential of generative AI.