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Lenovo's latest global CIO report sheds light on the increasing importance of AI for CIOs, indicating a shift in their priorities towards core IT functions. Titled "Inside the Tornado: How AI is Reshaping Corporate IT Today," the report emphasizes the urgent need for CIOs to embrace and expand AI, despite the challenges they face in terms of speed, security, and organizational readiness.

In addition to cybersecurity, CIOs are now placing a greater emphasis on AI and machine learning (51%), driven by the pressure to make a significant business impact. The report highlights that 84% of CIOs are now evaluated based on measurable business outcomes, underscoring the importance of delivering tangible results.

Ken Wong, President of Lenovo's Solutions and Services Group, characterizes today's CIOs as operating within a "tornado of innovation," with AI compelling them to refocus on their core responsibilities. Despite the challenges, CIOs remain optimistic about the potential impact of AI, with 80% believing that AI advancements will greatly benefit their organizations.

However, CIOs also identify speed of adoption and security as major obstacles to scaling AI. Many parts of their organizations are not yet prepared for AI implementation, which hampers the pace of progress. Additionally, measuring return on investment (ROI) continues to be a challenge, with 61% of CIOs finding it difficult to demonstrate the ROI from their technology investments.