The shift in the role of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) is well underway, continually evolving to meet the demands of today’s business landscape. CIOs are no longer just custodians of IT infrastructure; they play a crucial role in shaping corporate strategies and catalyzing innovation. This redefined role positions them at the center of organizational agility, empowering them to sculpt customer experiences and accelerate business growth.
Highlighting this transformation, a recent Forbes Insights Survey, which included perspectives from over 600 CIOs, explores the ongoing evolution of the role and anticipates further changes up to 2025.
A Revolution in the C-Suite
Gone are the days when CIOs were confined to the back office; the digital age demands their leadership at the decision-making table. With 74% of surveyed CIOs viewing themselves as primary accelerators of organizational transformation, the message is clear—technology leadership is now synonymous with business leadership. These top-tier executives prioritize initiatives that enhance revenue—focused by 62% of CIOs—and streamline operations to cut costs, with 63% directing efforts here.
As we look to the future, the role of the CIO is increasingly about leveraging technology to foster competitive advantage and operational efficiency. This survey bears the growing impact of CIOs in revenue generation, with nearly 60% reporting an increase in their roles’ influence on company revenues. Their hands-on approach in adopting multicloud strategies—embraced by 95%—underscores a commitment to innovation and agility, essential for thriving in today’s business environment.
This is more than just an evolution; it’s a revolution in the C-suite, placing CIOs at the heart of business transformation and strategic decision-making.
Historically tasked with maintaining IT infrastructure, CIOs are now pivotal in shaping corporate strategies, positioning themselves as the primary drivers of change within their organizations. With technology at the heart of consumer behavior and corporate operations, CIOs are not only implementing but also leading transformative efforts across the board. 74% of surveyed CIOs view themselves as key accelerators of organizational transformation. These leaders are actively prioritizing systems that enhance revenue—with 62% focusing on this area—and are equally committed to boosting efficiency and reducing costs, as shown by 63% of respondents.
Today’s CIOs are instrumental in reshaping business strategies to leverage technological advancements, ensuring digital transformation aligns with business goals to enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency.
Revenue Generation and Strategic Influence
A key finding from the survey is the growing involvement of CIOs in revenue-generating initiatives. Approximately 59% of CIOs have reported an increase in their roles’ impact on their companies’ revenue streams. As technology increasingly drives business models, CIOs are uniquely positioned to influence product innovation, customer engagement, and ultimately, profitability.
Multicloud Strategy as a Business Enabler
Adopting multicloud environments is a strategic focus for CIOs aiming to foster business agility and innovation. According to the survey, 64% believe that multicloud infrastructure can accelerate innovation within their companies. The adoption of multicloud strategies is already widespread, with the majority (95%) of surveyed CIOs embracing this approach, and 52% already leveraging multiple cloud providers.
Multicloud strategies enhance scalability and flexibility and reduce dependencies on single vendors, mitigating risks and fostering a robust technological ecosystem that supports business continuity and growth. This comprehensive approach ensures that organizations can meet varied operational needs while positioning themselves to better manage risks and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
The CIO Of 2025: Leading Technology-Driven Growth Across The Entire Organization – Forbes Insights
Modernizing the Application Pipeline
In addition to infrastructure changes, there is a strong focus on modernizing the application pipeline to enhance customer experiences across different platforms. About 63% of CIOs agree that modern applications are key to accelerating innovation, highlighting the need to develop applications that not only meet current customer expectations but also anticipate future demands.
This involves embracing a customer-centric approach to application development, ensuring that digital solutions are seamlessly integrated and highly responsive to user needs.
Future-proofing Through Digital Transformation
As CIOs navigate these changes, the overarching theme is clear: digital transformation is no longer a supportive element but a leading force in business strategy. This transformation is not just about adopting new technologies but also about rethinking business models, operational processes, and customer engagement strategies in a fundamentally digital world.
By strategically leveraging digital tools, CIOs can anticipate market changes, foster innovation, and maintain a competitive edge, ensuring that their organizations are not only adaptable to current trends but also poised for future challenges and opportunities.
The Wrap
The role of the CIO in 2025 will center on these pillars of technology-driven growth: strategic leadership, multicloud adoption, and modernization of applications. CIOs are not only expected to manage technological innovations but also to lead their organizations through today’s digital landscape, making bold decisions that will define the future of their industries.
For CIOs and business leaders alike, the message is clear: embrace change, leverage technology strategically, and prepare to lead rather than follow in the digital revolution. The transformation outlined in the VMware and Forbes Insights report is not just a prediction but a roadmap to thriving in the digital age.
