Executive summary

Artificial intelligence is transforming how companies approach security, innovation, and efficiency

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Prepare for impact: AI is in the building

Our survey reveals executive sentiment, concerns, and priorities around artificial intelligence.

Although artificial intelligence (AI) has existed since the 1950s, the public release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022 propelled the technology into the forefront of just about every conversation. AI is featured everywhere, from newspaper headlines and social media takes to team stand-ups and board meetings. And that discussion hasn’t quieted.

That’s because every week seems to bring about a new leap in either the technology itself or how organizations infuse it into their products and internal systems. But legitimate businesses aren’t the only ones taking advantage of AI to accelerate innovation, boost efficiency, and ignite productivity.

Bad actors have also embraced the tech, using it to develop, scale, and launch increasingly sophisticated attacks. The topic of security and how it relates to AI is inextricable from any conversation regarding this fast-moving technology.

In the age of AI, driving a business forward requires balancing three very significant considerations: growth through innovation, productivity through operational efficiency, and trust through security. While AI has the potential to ignite innovation and optimize operational efficiency, it has also expanded the attack surface.

With so many considerations at play — from AI’s promises to its very real risks — we wanted to know how leaders in business are navigating the AI landscape. What are their perceptions of AI, how is AI factoring into their decisions, and do they feel prepared to leverage its capabilities and protect against its risks?

To better understand how AI impacts the intersection of security, innovation, and operational efficiency, we commissioned an AlphaSights survey of 125 executives across three regions, targeting the decision-makers typically tasked with helming those efforts at companies:

CSOs/CISOs for their focus on security
CTOs for their focus on innovation
CIOs for their focus on operational efficiency

Responses from these executives offer insights into where companies across sizes, industries, and regions find themselves in today’s AI landscape and where they aim to be in the future.

Who we surveyed: Learn more about our respondents.