Digital transformation
Digital transformation is a means of using digital technologies to innovate operations, products, services and processes and improve employee and customer experience. Here you can read news, guides and tips on how to lead digital transformation efforts. Learn how blockchain, AI, automation technologies and other tech fits into transformation projects.
Top Stories
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Tip
15 Jul 2024
6 tips to plan a digital transformation budget
Formulating budgets for digital transformation projects is fraught with complexities, expectations and unknowns that differentiate it from traditional IT and business planning. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jul 2024
12 digital transformation benefits for business
Efficiency, resiliency, productivity and ROI are among the most critical digital transformation benefits for businesses fighting to remain competitive and gain market share. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Apr 2019
Problems with blockchain and how they're being solved
Do you know about the blockchain trilemma? David Petersson looks at some of the problems with blockchain and how cutting-edge companies are tackling them. Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2019
How to achieve digital transformation -- with CIO as linchpin
Companies achieve digital transformation along two dimensions -- through operational efficiency and offering a great customer experience. Getting there can be an uphill battle. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Mar 2019
Blockchain and AI combined solve problems inherent in each
David Petersson explains how blockchain could be used to democratize access to big data -- and make AI breakthroughs the province of many, instead of just a handful of tech giants. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Mar 2019
Capital One's cloud strategy advances to tap emerging tech
Capital One's cloud strategy continues to evolve as the financial powerhouse taps into emerging tech to improve customer experience. Read the step-by-step details of its journey. Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2019
JOANN Stores hires new CIO to push customer experience strategy
JOANN Stores' announcement of a new CIO hire is another signal that engaging customers is increasingly part of the CIO portfolio. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Mar 2019
Comparing chatbots vs. virtual assistants vs. conversational agents
Is a conversational agent the same as a chatbot or a virtual assistant? Not exactly. IBM Watson VP and CTO Rob High explains the differences. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Mar 2019
The urgent need for enterprise AI governance -- and where to start
By 2022, 65% of CIOs will be tasked with modernizing governance policies to reflect the risks and opportunities posed by AI technologies. Here's why it can't be a one-person job. Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2019
Google Empathy Lab uses 'design feeling' in search of a more human UI
Google Empathy Lab's Danielle Krettek touted the next big thing in UI design at the Wisdom 2.0 event: tech that feels your pain or happiness -- or whatever. Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2019
Confronting big tech's role in digital addiction and digital wellness
Heard at Wisdom 2.0: Former Google employee Tristan Harris believes big tech needs to confront its role in promoting digital addiction and get serious about digital wellness. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Mar 2019
Value stream mapping vs. process mapping to drive process innovation
What's the difference between value stream mapping vs. process mapping? One is focused on making an existing process more efficient, while the other dissects the value of each step. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Feb 2019
BPM tools mitigate business disruption amid digital transformation
A major challenge in digital transformation is avoiding harmful disruption to the business while doing the work of creating a new business/IT operating model. BPM tools can help. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Feb 2019
Next-gen RPA bots automating job roles, not just tasks
RPA is moving beyond automating tasks to automating big pieces of certain job positions. Case in point: Automation Anywhere's new offering of Digital Workers. Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2019
Accenture predicts post-digital age where trust is the differentiator
The latest Accenture Technology Vision report calls out 'DARQ' technologies as the new must-have for CIOs and underscores the importance of building digital trust. Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2019
Succeed at implementing RPA: Top tips from execs at IBM Think
Implementing RPA requires planning and coordination between multiple parts of the business to be effective. Execs at IBM Think share tips on how to craft a winning RPA strategy. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Feb 2019
Change management is critical to optimizing a digital workforce
In part two of his Ask the Expert discussion of working alongside chatbots, cobots and AI, IBM's Gene Chao focuses on the importance of change management. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Feb 2019
Managing the automated workplace: Humans vs. chatbots vs. cobots
Who's afraid of the automated workplace? IBM's Gene Chao answers questions on how chatbots, cobots and AI are impacting jobs and why hybrid labor requires new management skills. Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2019
AI bots: How GE is adapting traditional management to AI
To get a handle on its AI strategy, GE is making AI more human: It's creating AI bots and assigning them to managers. Challenges abound. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Feb 2019
Should your company hire a chief AI officer?
Aramark's newly appointed chief AI officer, along with senior IT leaders from Kohl's, eBay and Square, make the case for an AI expert in the C-suite: Title may not be required. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Feb 2019
21st-century CIO job description puts CIOs in vortex of emerging tech
The ban against pursuing tech for tech's sake -- it's been lifted. CIOs need to dive into emerging tech to extract its business potential. Welcome to the new CIO job description. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Jan 2019
RPA bots vs. case management -- both have value, one is transformative
RPA bots save costs, boost productivity and can improve customer experience. What they don't do is provide the transformational process change most companies need today, says Don Schuerman. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jan 2019
How to use AI in your business in 2019 -- AI sweet spots
Step one in figuring out how to use AI in your business is to know what AI can and can't do today. David Petersson lays out 2019's AI sweet spots for enterprise decision-makers. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Jan 2019
Barclays Bank takes a crack at IBM's quantum computer
Quantum computing may one day explain the universe. Today, the biggest challenge for an early adopter is making the problem sufficiently simple to run on a quantum computer. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jan 2019
startup accelerator
A startup accelerator, sometimes referred to as a seed accelerator, is a business program that supports early-stage, growth-driven companies through education, mentorship and financing. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jan 2019
CIOs share their 2019 tech resolutions
We asked five CIOs to share their tech resolutions for the new year. Ambition is sky high. Projects include RPA, AI that can handle sensitive data, scaling the business and more. Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2019
5 IT trends shaping 2019 CIO strategies
Tech executives sound off on the IT trends they see shaping CIO strategies in 2019. AI and cloud loom large, but the test for CIOs is not just technical. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2019
Top drivers of digital transformation projects have inward focus
Our IT Priorities Survey shows that close to 70% of companies are pursuing digital transformation. Learn what metrics they're targeting and how they're spending 2019 IT budgets. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Dec 2018
5 cloud computing predictions, trends for 2019
From rapid multi-cloud adoption to enterprises getting smarter about workload migration strategies, experts sound off on key cloud computing trends to watch out for in 2019. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Dec 2018
IT vs. business: Who owns the machine learning capability?
You can't have machine learning without help from IT, but the discipline is bigger than IT. Practitioners weigh in on who owns the machine learning capability. Continue Reading
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News
21 Dec 2018
Top CIO articles of the year focus on cutting-edge AI, IT disruption
What were CIOs focused on in 2018? Cutting-edge AI was top of mind. IT disruption and industry bombshells loomed large. Here are the top 10 CIO articles of the year. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Dec 2018
Top 10 SearchCIO videos: IT industry leaders share DX advice
Get digital transformation strategy advice from IT industry leaders in this roundup of our top 10 most popular SearchCIO videos from 2018. Continue Reading
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News
20 Dec 2018
2018 tech events: The year in photos
Did you hit the road in 2018 to learn about IT trends? We did. This photo roundup takes a look back at some of the notable moments from SearchCIO's tech event coverage. Continue Reading
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News
18 Dec 2018
Top CIO tips in 2018 zero in on AI challenges, opportunities
Expert advice on AI problems and rewards dominated our 10 most popular CIO tips on SearchCIO in 2018. Read our summary of the tips and follow the links to the detailed coverage. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Dec 2018
2018's top blogs highlight goals, obstacles to modern CIO strategies
SearchCIO's top 2018 blog posts provide a glimpse into how evolving technology and the digital transformation of business processes are influencing CIO strategies. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Dec 2018
What are the benefits of serverless computing?
At the recent Gartner Symposium, analyst Arun Chandrasekaran highlighted the benefits of serverless computing and delineated the factors driving enterprise interest in serverless. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2018
BPMS architecture modernizes legacy tech, makes IT more strategic
The technology of the past put humans on the moon, but it's bringing businesses to a breaking point. Here's why CIOs should consider a BPMS architecture to modernize legacy systems. Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2018
Lottery.com eyeing blockchain for charity games to boost transparency
Online mobile lottery service Lottery.com wants to use blockchain as a service to bolster a new business initiative: expanding into games for charities. Read about the challenges and payoffs. Continue Reading
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Podcast
03 Dec 2018
Why AI for social good is a thing
Tech companies love to promote their use of AI for social good. CMU's Fei Fang talks about why the ethics of AI is such a tricky topic in the final episode of 'Schooled in AI.' Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Nov 2018
Adobe CFO John Murphy on CFO role as digital transformation evangelist
Adobe's John Murphy discusses the CFO role in digital transformation at the recent MIT Sloan CFO Summit. One new aspect of his job: He's out there selling digital transformation. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
RPA projects are the future for communications firm
Robotic process automation, or RPA, is sweeping R.R. Donnelley & Sons, which enlists RPA adoption as a way to automate repetitive activities in the document preparation process. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
5 AI predictions for 2019: Pragmatic AI takes hold
What are the forces driving enterprise AI in 2019? Forrester Research breaks down five, CIO-tailored AI predictions for the upcoming year. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2018
How to ask questions the way great business leaders do: CFO Summit
Great business leaders are willing to endure all sorts of pain when they ask questions, says Hal Gregersen, who spoke at the MIT CFO Summit. That's how they solve problems. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Nov 2018
What is embedded intelligence and how can CIOs prepare for it?
Deloitte advises CIOs keep their eyes on a new application of AI. The consultancy calls it pervasive intelligence. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 Nov 2018
Advancing tech, analytics techniques give rise to the 'digital CFO'
The rise of digitized processes and data analytics in modern companies has unquestionably influenced the CIO's role -- a topic we cover often here on SearchCIO. But realizing the importance of ... Continue Reading
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News
28 Nov 2018
Enterprise AI adoption on fire, but foundation lacking for sustainable AI
McKinsey surveyed thousands of executives on their AI projects to find out what was working and what wasn't. Here's the lowdown. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2018
RPA project tackles financial processes, using SAP-savvy RPA vendor
RPA projects are not created equal. Read why automotive supplier Faurecia went with Redwood Software and about how the RPA implementation is playing out. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
26 Nov 2018
Multivendor RPA strategy is trending at enterprises
All RPA platforms are not the same. A multivendor RPA strategy is taking shape at enterprises -- for multiple reasons. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Nov 2018
Lumentum CIO talks building an enterprise cloud computing strategy
A well-defined plan is essential as cloud adoption becomes a business necessity. In this Q&A, CIO Ralph Loura sounds off on the must-haves for any enterprise cloud computing strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Nov 2018
6 ways CIOs can make valuation of data a business driver
Gartner believes data should be on every company's balance sheet. Here are six data valuation models on how CIOs can put a price tag on their data. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2018
AI-enabled enterprise starts with education, not tech
Step one for CIOs charged with building an AI-enabled workplace is to keep up with what's happening in the field. Next is to help their IT teams develop the habit. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Nov 2018
Beware of unwitting bias in AI algorithms, experts say
Companies need to know how bias can unwittingly creep into recommendations from AI algorithms, according to panelists at the recent AI and the Future of Work event at MIT. Sophie Vandebroek, vice ... Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Nov 2018
Travel commerce platform looking to blockchain, virtual reality in 2019
In 2019, Travelport's CIO is looking to build out the company's travel commerce platform with help from emerging tech like blockchain, machine learning, virtual reality and more. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 Nov 2018
What should CIOs look for when choosing public cloud platforms?
In this Ask the Expert, Lumentum SVP and CIO Ralph Loura highlights two key factors to consider when choosing among public cloud giants AWS, Azure and Google Cloud Platform. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2018
How augmented intelligence can enhance jobs
Augmented intelligence -- AI used to enhance human skills -- makes workplaces more productive, diverse, inclusive and authentic. That's one future conjured at an MIT forum on AI. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Nov 2018
What are the top IoT security challenges in corporate settings?
Extended product lifecycles, consumer apathy and lacking federal regulation lead the top IoT security challenges in corporate settings. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Nov 2018
Improving customer experience strategy with digital tweaks vs. transformation
Improving the customer experience with digital technologies doesn't have to entail full-blown transformation. Here are three organizations that make the case. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Nov 2018
How automating feature engineering can help data scientists
Feature Labs CEO Max Kanter explains how automating feature engineering for machine learning can help data scientists and why CIOs should care. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Nov 2018
5 'technology enablers' key to Travelport's digital transformation plan
Travelport CIO Matt Minetola details the five 'technology enablers' key to the success of the company's digital transformation plan and explains why the travel commerce platform relies on a hybrid cloud approach. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Nov 2018
Enabling digital transformation: CIO talks 3-phase journey
Enabling digital transformation at Travelport required the $2 billion company to rethink its business model, technology, processes and mindset. Destination: Better customer service. Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2018
Google's Eric Schmidt on digital success -- be first, perfect comes later
Success for digital products doesn't follow the same trajectory as for physical goods. Google's Eric Schmidt laid out the case for a rush-to-market approach at an MIT event on AI. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
02 Nov 2018
IBM-Red Hat deal: Minimal influence on CIOs' cloud decisions, for now
The tech world has been abuzz after news that IBM is snapping up Red Hat for a whopping $34 billion, making it the third biggest tech-deal of all time. Experts say, however, that the IBM-Red Hat ... Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2018
With AI techniques, don't get stuck in the data quantity rut
Gartner's Erick Brethenoux gives practical advice on how CIOs can get started with AI. One of his tips: Think data quality, not data quantity. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2018
Gartner breaks down the state of quantum computing technology
Gartner believes CIOs should prepare for quantum computing. When is it coming, what impact will it have and what do CIOs need to know? Gartner's David Cearley breaks it down. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
31 Oct 2018
In 2019, CIOs should strive for flexible analytics architecture
Data and analytics are part of everyday survival for companies. But according to a new research note from Gartner Inc., organizations are struggling to manage the data they have let alone establish ... Continue Reading
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News
30 Oct 2018
Gartner top 10 technology trends for 2019: A comprehensive guide
For digital-minded CIOs, Gartner's 2019 top 10 technology trends should come as no surprise: IT is getting smarter, casting an intelligent digital web over the enterprise -- and everywhere else. Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2018
Implementing RPA at John Hancock ushers in new wave of IT innovation
What's the best approach for implementing RPA? John Hancock discovered that a time-honored practice for the automation of business processes didn't make sense when it came to RPA. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2018
Gartner Symposium 2018: Enterprise cloud strategy mistakes to avoid
At the recent Gartner Symposium 2018, cloud guru Daryl Plummer highlighted the need for developing a strong cloud strategy -- and the mistakes to avoid when drafting one. Continue Reading
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Podcast
26 Oct 2018
Cognitive tutor could teach employees new skills
AI research on how humans learn is making learning less mysterious –-- and could lead to cognitive tutors, whose job is to train employees. Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2018
Customer engagement strategies that heed power of social media
Executives from Legendary Entertainment and Microsoft explain how their customer engagement strategies rely on the power of analytics and a core set of social principles. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Oct 2018
Technology risks: What CIOs should know and steps they can take
Adopting new tech helps businesses thrive, but CIOs must be aware of accompanying risks. Experts sound off on how new tech continues to muddle the cybersecurity threat landscape. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
18 Oct 2018
Forget Hollywood's AI promises, results are what inspires next-gen tech pros
During the "Lunch with Robots" panel at HubWeek 2018, host Jim Tracy asked a question that reflected a major theme of the weeklong event: How is the workforce going to change in the next 20 years, ... Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Oct 2018
EY exec shares strategy for digital transformation in business
EY is recruiting STEM talent, offering employees courses in AI -- and more -- in its quest for a digital business model that can exploit rapid change. Continue Reading
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News
17 Oct 2018
Microsoft and corporate activism
Microsoft's chief legal officer talks corporate activism; Legendary Entertainment offers its take on 'Moneyball' for movies: The Data Mill reports from HUBweek. Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2018
Gartner Symposium 2018: Digital business models shift IT priorities
With digital business models maturing, CIOs have shifted their IT and business priorities to make digitization projects successful -- and to get other company leaders on board. Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2018
Gartner Symposium 2018: 10 culture hacks for CIOs to spur DX
Culture is a barrier to digital transformation, and it's the CIO's job to help change it, said analyst Kristin Moyer at Gartner Symposium 2018. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Oct 2018
Deploy RPA bots to clean legacy data
Got data cleaning issues? Business improvement expert Dan Morris shares how his team is experimenting with RPA bots to clean and reconcile data. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Oct 2018
Why EY is investing in AI, data and blockchain technology initiatives
It's more than just an accounting firm. Jeff Wong said EY is using a $1B investment in new technology initiatives to expand its mission and address its clients' digital challenges. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
12 Oct 2018
Enterprise digital transformation: How CIOs can drive business growth
Digital transformation is becoming a reality for many organizations: IDC forecasts worldwide spending on technologies and services that drive enterprise digital transformation to soar past $1 ... Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Oct 2018
Automation and employment debate takes a new turn
Future of work trends: Academics and industry executives shared their views on the evolution of RPA and the impact of AI on jobs at the recent UiPath Forward conference. Continue Reading
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News
08 Oct 2018
Augmented human intelligence: Using AI to streamline business process
CIOs are under tremendous pressure to use AI technologies. A recent survey shows why focusing on augmented human intelligence may yield the best business results. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Oct 2018
An 18-month-old virtual agent at Credit Suisse gets its bearings
Credit Suisse's Jennifer Hewit shares lessons learned while launching the bank's first virtual agent, Amelia. Hiring a neuroscientist, rebranding the agent and managing expectations proved crucial for persuading employees to give the bot a chance. Continue Reading
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News
05 Oct 2018
RPA trends: Adoption at scale calls for governance, change management
The UiPath Forward conference highlighted the key RPA trends shaping process automation projects, which are seeing wider acceptance and growing scale among some enterprises. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Oct 2018
IoT adoption gets a C+ from Cisco expert -- how can CIOs improve?
Why is IoT adoption in trouble? Underestimating the disruption to the business is one reason, says Cisco's Jon Stanford, in this tip on the challenges and best practices for IoT adoption. Continue Reading
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Answer
04 Oct 2018
What steps can CIOs take to neutralize cloud shadow IT?
In this Ask the Expert, Gartner's Marco Meinardi explains why denying access and applying too much intermediation are not effective in neutralizing cloud shadow IT projects. Continue Reading
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News
03 Oct 2018
Finding internal data science talent: The right stuff
Fierce competition for data science talent means that CIOs need to look internally for the requisite skills. On the list: curiosity, domain expertise, emotional intelligence. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Oct 2018
The benefits of IAM processes, strategies for digitized companies
After regulatory compliance and audit requirements forced Raymond James Financial to re-examine its IAM processes, the company is now reaping the business benefits of IAM. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
29 Sep 2018
How ITSM can help CIOs drive SLAs in a multi-cloud environment
How do CIOs drive service level agreements (SLAs) in a multi-cloud environment? That's an important question when at issue is an end-to-end IT service involving many cloud providers, and the goal ... Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2018
How Uber AI Labs used filters to fix a ConvNets deficiency
Can ConvNets learn new tricks? Uber AI Labs research scientist unpacks how her team identified and fixed a major deficiency in its convolutional neural networks. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Sep 2018
IT service delivery model: CIOs pressured to reinvent the process
Tech managers are on the hook to reinvent the IT shop, but tools like user self-service, ITSM practices and the rent vs. buy option are helping effect change. Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2018
Microsoft CEO: Buyer beware for digital technology platform choice
At Microsoft Ignite 2018, CEO Satya Nadella issued a 'tech intensity' challenge, as the company launched or announced updated offerings in the cloud, IoT and AI domains. Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2018
Global Artificial Intelligence Conference 2018: The value of context
Speakers at the Global Artificial Intelligence Conference 2018 confronted issues that arise when ignoring context and reality when developing and implementing AI. Continue Reading
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News
27 Sep 2018
6 best practices for IT pros when building a chatbot
There's a lot to consider when building a chatbot. Beerud Sheth, co-founder and CEO of Gupshup, broke down six best practices for IT pros at the Global AI Conference in Boston. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2018
Power of AI, limitations of AI in focus at Global AI conference
What's the difference between human and artificial intelligence? At the Global AI conference in Boston, opening day featured tech experts parsing the power of AI and the limitations of AI. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2018
AI models could help companies overcome human bias
Human bias can be coded into AI models, but can AI models help remove human bias? Two companies make the case. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2018
Blockchain in media: The AP explores a blockchain use case
The use of blockchain in media gathered steam with the AP's announcement that it is exploring distributed ledger technology to track content and enforce licensing contracts. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Sep 2018
4 ways to use machine learning to improve customer experience
There are many ways to use machine learning to improve customer experience. Gartner's Bill Delrieu offers four and names specific machine learning-based tools to help with each. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Sep 2018
4 factors to consider when making the shift to the cloud
For CIOs assessing their organization's cloud readiness, Andrew Larkin discusses four factors to consider before moving their applications to the cloud. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Sep 2018
Augmented intelligence: The clearest path to focused AI?
Augmented intelligence assists humans in completing tasks that artificial intelligence can't yet handle. CIOs should invest in augmented tech as a step toward AI adoption. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Sep 2018
Multi-cloud management best practices and pain points
To reap the benefits of a multi-cloud strategy, CIOs must first have the right skills and processes in place. Here are the multi-cloud management best practices to lead the way. Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2018
Blockchain solutions -- and disruption -- pondered at EmTech 2018
The gathering at EmTech 2018 explored whether blockchain solutions could give the world a new model of trust. What seemed certain: Blockchain disruption is happening now. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
14 Sep 2018
Startup accelerator The Engine tackles 'tough tech'
Investment dollars continue to flow heavily into tech startups, but the majority of bets are placed on technology products -- mostly consumer apps -- that could pay dividends in three to five ... Continue Reading