Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are leveraging AI agents to streamline and accelerate the integration of AI within their organizations. But what exactly can these agents do to help?
AI agents are software tools that perform tasks, make decisions, and manage AI systems for users. They can transform IT operations by improving efficiency. For example, Salesforce's AI agent, Agentforce, charges based on usage, making it easier for businesses to adopt AI flexibly and cost-effectively. This pay-per-use model is one of many options for implementing AI without high upfront costs.
These agents can also handle tasks like reverse engineering code, generating new code, and defining workflows—essential for updating and modernizing applications. IBM highlights how AI can save time and effort in these processes, speeding up digital transformation efforts. AI agents, like chatbots and co-pilots in earlier technology waves, handle tasks on behalf of employees, simplifying operations.
However, even though many CIOs see AI as transformative as the Internet, over half of AI projects fail to reach completion. The reasons include high costs, slow returns on investment, and concerns about handling sensitive customer data securely.
CIOs face significant challenges when adopting AI. Security and data infrastructure issues are at the forefront, making full AI implementation a complex task for most organizations. As a result, only 11% of CIOs, despite their technical expertise and organizational oversight, have successfully implemented AI—far fewer than their business counterparts.
A major concern is the rise of unsanctioned AI tools in the workplace. These mass-market generative AI tools, often used without approval, pose risks to company data, systems, and relationships, creating what is now being called "shadow AI." This adds another layer of complexity to already challenging AI adoption efforts.
Adopting AI agents comes with its own set of challenges. A major concern is ensuring these tools act in line with a company’s values and goals. Anthropic’s AI model, Claude, raises the issue of “alignment faking,” where AI tools appear to follow guidelines but may stray from intended behaviors. Businesses need to monitor their AI systems closely to maintain trust and accountability.
Another hurdle is the cost and effort of integrating AI into existing systems. Gartner warns that businesses must carefully manage expenses and plan for the technical adjustments required to make AI work effectively within their infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, AI agents offer immense potential. They can improve efficiency by automating tasks like customer service or IT support, reducing errors, speeding up responses, and lowering operational costs. Salesforce has already shown how AI-driven solutions enhance customer experiences while saving time.
In software development, AI agents can make a big impact. Research from BCG suggests that using generative AI tools for coding can improve productivity by up to 50%, cutting project timelines and costs significantly. By 2028, Gartner predicts that 15% of daily work decisions will be made autonomously using agentic AI, a significant leap from 0% in 2024. These AI agents act as virtual workers, capable of performing multiple tasks without supervision, marking a major shift in how AI is used in business operations.
AI agents represent the next step in AI evolution, moving beyond chat interfaces to deliver large-scale automation. For CIOs, adopting an agent-first approach offers the chance to rethink and optimize business processes. Scaling AI across the enterprise is expected to become a key priority by 2025, demanding both speed and strategic planning.
Despite the potential, many CIOs face challenges in prioritizing AI initiatives. Building solid data foundations and deciding where AI fits into the larger organization remain hurdles. Additionally, budget allocation for AI adoption is a concern, with only 47% of CIOs confident they have invested the right amount in AI projects.
AI agents are gaining popularity because they come pre-built and use trusted business data to generate consistent responses aligned with a company’s brand and guidelines. This makes them an attractive solution for CIOs navigating the complexities of early AI adoption.
CIOs who adopt these opportunities can drive innovation, streamline operations, and create value for their organizations. By using AI agents wisely, CIOs can address today's tech needs while preparing their organizations for future growth and innovation.