While it doesn’t have quite the same ring as location, location, and location, when it comes to the top three challenges facing CIOs in 2025, you won’t be surprised to find they are AI, AI, and AI!
But these challenges are also opportunities. Because AI permeates all aspects of the enterprise, CIOs can face up to the challenges of AI-driven cyberattacks by adopting AI in cybersecurity. CIOs can lead digital transformation change by adopting AI to support their current operations while readying the business for the future. Advances in AI also have the potential to boost growth and counteract rising technical costs in an inflationary environment.
AI in cybersecurity
With cybercriminals exploiting AI to create sophisticated email attacks and set up hard-to-spot fraudulent websites, many CIOs are feeling that AI is outpacing their ability to secure networks from it. But despite concerns about data privacy and risk management for both individuals and businesses continuing to grow, the good news is that AI also provides the solution. AI can enhance your cybersecurity capabilities and make defence mechanisms more efficient and robust.
In terms of offering advanced capabilities for threat detection, prevention, and response, by leveraging machine learning, gen AI, and automation, CIOs can gain an edge in detecting threats, predicting attacks, and neutralising risks. To counter AI in cyberattacks on your network, you can use AI to automate the process of identifying threats, finding patterns, and then looking for other similar instances, integrating data from various sources. By providing context, AI helps to streamline mobile security measures, allowing mobile users to confidently access corporate data on your network.
AI in digital transformation
With businesses seeking to further their core business outcomes and understand how AI can help them get there, CIOs need to lead the charge of adopting AI to support an organisation’s current operations while driving change. There are significant upsides for those who get it right.
But research from Boston Consulting Group surveying 1,000 senior executives from over 20 sectors in countries across Asia, Europe, and North America, found a lot of companies still have some way to go. The research found that only 4% had developed sophisticated AI capabilities across functions that consistently generate significant value. Another 22% of companies had implemented an AI strategy, built advanced capabilities, and were beginning to realise substantial gains. This left 74% of companies yet to show tangible value from their use of AI.
Of the 26% that are leading the charge, BCG’s research found that they delivered:
- 1.5 times higher revenue growth
- 1.6 times greater shareholder returns, and
- 1.4 times higher returns on invested capital.
Likewise, a report from Accenture shows the number of companies that have AI-led processes increased from 9% in 2023 to 16% in 2024. Accenture’s report finds that these companies achieve 2.5 times higher revenue growth, 2.4 times greater productivity, and have 3.3 times greater success at scaling generative AI use cases compared to peers.
AI for cost controls in an inflationary environment
With inflation increasing operational costs while eroding purchasing power, AI is helping businesses drive down costs by improving efficiency and productivity. Gen AI can also trigger innovation and increase worker productivity in tasks that require cognitive abilities. And by automating routine tasks and optimising supply chains, AI enables companies to counteract the effects of inflation by effectively doing more with less.
Time for a mobile communications health check?
If you’re on a digital transformation journey and are in the process of evaluating AI-driven cybersecurity tools, it’s a great time assess the effectiveness of your mobile device fleet and network infrastructure to help you control costs and reduce security risks. Our health check service gives you clear visibility across your communication technology environment, so you can take the next steps to in your AI adoption strategy.
