Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to gain traction as a transformative force within various sectors, with a recent report by consulting firm McKinsey highlighting that two-thirds of organisations utilise AI in at least one business function. The report, released in May, underscored a growing commitment to AI, with 67% of organisations envisioning increased investment in this technology over the next three years.
According to a report from Forbes, in 2024, AI emerged as a pivotal element for many firms, bolstering customer service, employee training, and logistics. This integration has proven beneficial, leading to enhanced revenue, efficiency, and scalability for various organisations.
Central to the successful implementation of AI technologies are Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and other key tech leaders, who are increasingly recognised for their contributions to advancing business practices through innovation. Forbes has recently published its CIO Next list, now in its fifth year, honouring influential executives from diverse industries. This year's iteration praised the efforts of 50 exceptional tech leaders who have significantly impacted their organisations through technology.
The honourees comprise executives from banks and financial services, including Visa and Capital, and major technology corporations like Google and Microsoft, as well as recognisable consumer brands such as Coca-Cola and United Airlines. The list also features government officials from prominent agencies, including NASA and the city of San Francisco. Speaking to Forbes, the organisers of the list noted that nominations were thoroughly vetted, with expert consultations supporting the selection process.
Among the notable figures celebrated this year are four distinguished Black CIOs:
Bradley Bolivar, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President at Fannie Mae, has been instrumental in transforming the company's technological landscape over four years. His leadership guided the organisation's migration to cloud operations and implemented automated backup and recovery systems. In 2023 alone, Fannie Mae extended support to over 500,000 low-income renters and homebuyers, largely facilitated by the technological capabilities of its workforce, which comprises 40% of the company's employees. Looking towards 2025, Bolivar aims to expand risk management tools and bolster automation within the organisation.
Yvonne Hodge, CIO and Senior Vice President of Enterprise Business and Digital Transformation at Lockheed Martin, oversees a team of 5,000, focusing on internal technological infrastructure. She leads the OneLM Transformation programme which aims to optimise the company’s business processes and systems. Hodge is also collaborating with Microsoft to drive classified cloud innovations and AI solutions for the Department of Defense.
Rani Johnson, who became the CIO of Workday in 2023, has concentrated her efforts on the intersection of AI and security. As the head of the AI Executive Advisory Board, Johnson directed the launch of 30 AI tools and outlined plans for an additional 20. She also played a critical role in a security-focused overhaul, which incorporated a Zero Trust security model across the organisation.
Mark Mathewson, the CIO of Bank Technology at Capital One, has garnered recognition for introducing cutting-edge customer service features such as an ATM functionality that enables customers to tap their phones instead of using physical cards. His earlier innovations included the development of specialised cashier’s check kiosks that issue checks via QR codes, allowing customers to bypass traditional teller interactions. Additionally, over 200 employees at Capital One are now utilising Mathewson's generative AI tools for enhanced customer service engagements.
This focus on AI and technology is set against a backdrop of evolving business practices, as organisations increasingly recognise the role of advanced technologies in shaping their futures.
Source: Noah Wire Services