Ben Rotenberg, AI and organizational technology lecturer, recently participated in a roundtable with CIOs from large companies. The central insight he took away: the conversation has changed direction.
How the Conversation With CIOs Has Changed
A year ago, CIOs asked "Should we adopt AI?" Today they ask "How do we implement AI in a way that delivers ROI?" This shift from whether to how is a significant sign of organizational maturity.
Where the Pain Is Greatest
Rotenberg heard three recurring complaints: lack of clarity on ROI, difficulty integrating AI with legacy systems, and fear of workforce impact. All three are management problems, not technology problems.
The Practical Conclusion
Organizations that succeed do not necessarily choose the best tools — they build a structured process of experimentation, measurement, and gradual adoption. Technology is the second step, not the first.