CIOs Pivot from AI Hype to Execution as Ambition Outpaces Readiness

ARLINGTON, Texas – January 14, 2026 – As enterprises accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence, a critical disconnect is emerging: technological ambition is rapidly outpacing organizational readiness. While investment in AI continues to surge, many CIOs find their initiatives stalled in “pilot purgatory,” unable to scale beyond isolated experiments. The culprits are often gaps in governance, inconsistent decision-making, and a lack of architectural alignment, all of which limit the technology's true impact.

In response to this growing industry challenge, IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group is centering its upcoming Info-Tech LIVE 2026 conference in New Orleans on the theme of execution discipline. The event, taking place February 3-4 at The Roosevelt New Orleans, will spotlight the firm’s AI and Enterprise Architecture Playbooks, designed to provide leaders with the structured guidance needed to translate strategy into measurable results.

Beyond the Hype: The New Mandate for AI Execution

The era of AI experimentation for its own sake is drawing to a close. The new mandate from boardrooms and business leaders is clear: deliver tangible, enterprise-wide value. However, the path from a promising pilot to a fully integrated, scalable AI solution is fraught with challenges. Info-Tech's research indicates that success hinges less on novel experimentation and more on disciplined execution, a sentiment echoed across the industry.

“AI success is no longer about experimentation; it's about execution,” states Gord Harrison, Chief Research Officer at Info-Tech Research Group. “The sessions on the AI and Enterprise Architecture Playbooks will give CIOs the operating models and architectural discipline needed to scale AI responsibly and align governance, architecture, and delivery as initiatives mature.”

This shift addresses a core pain point for many IT executives. As they race to deploy AI while modernizing core systems, they are being asked to make faster decisions, manage greater risk, and more tightly align technology investments with business outcomes. Without clear operating models and governance frameworks, AI initiatives often remain fragmented, creating data silos, security vulnerabilities, and a frustrating inability to demonstrate return on investment. The focus is now on building repeatable capabilities and embedding governance early in the process to ensure AI can be scaled responsibly and effectively.

The Architect as Enabler: Redefining Enterprise Architecture

Central to mastering AI execution is the evolving role of Enterprise Architecture (EA). Traditionally viewed as a long-term, static planning function focused on documentation and compliance, EA is under pressure to transform into a dynamic enabler of strategy. In the age of AI and rapid digital transformation, a slow, bureaucratic architectural process is a liability.

The industry is now demanding that EA provide timely, practical guidance that actively supports investment decisions, accelerates project delivery, and ensures technology initiatives are woven into the fabric of organizational goals. This modern approach to EA is critical for navigating the complexity introduced by AI. It provides the essential guardrails for integrating new technologies, managing data flows, and ensuring that new AI-driven solutions do not compromise the integrity of the existing technology stack.

Info-Tech’s Enterprise Architecture Playbook, a key feature of the New Orleans conference, is designed to facilitate this evolution. The playbook champions a practical, research-driven approach that helps EA leaders move from being gatekeepers to strategic partners. Attendees will explore how a structured EA methodology can help their organizations prioritize change, manage complexity, and ensure architecture serves as a practical tool for transformation rather than a theoretical exercise.

A Blueprint for Action: Info-Tech's Playbook Approach

To help leaders bridge the gap between theory and practice, Info-Tech LIVE 2026 will heavily feature its playbook methodology. These are not high-level theoretical documents but structured, research-backed guides designed for immediate application.

The AI Playbook session will concentrate on moving organizations from fragmented pilots to enterprise-wide impact. It provides a formal approach to adopting, governing, and scaling AI in a way that supports business priorities, manages risk, and fosters confident decision-making. The goal is to equip leaders with formal AI operating models and repeatable processes that are essential for responsible scaling.

Complementing this is the Enterprise Architecture Playbook, which outlines how EA leaders can shift their function to become an active enabler of execution. By aligning architecture with investment decisions and organizational priorities, EA becomes a powerful force for accelerating delivery and ensuring technology initiatives achieve their intended business outcomes.

This focus on actionable frameworks is a deliberate move to provide practical value. The conference aims to cut through the noise of industry buzzwords by offering concrete steps and tools that IT leaders can use to drive systematic results within their own organizations.

Charting the Path Forward in New Orleans

Info-Tech LIVE 2026 is positioned as a critical forum for CIOs and senior IT leaders to address these challenges head-on. The two-day event in New Orleans will feature a blend of mainstage keynotes from global AI thought leaders, including former OpenAI Head of Go-to-Market Zack Kass, alongside hands-on workshops, breakout sessions, and one-on-one meetings with Info-Tech analysts. This format is designed to foster direct engagement and provide attendees with tailored advice for their specific circumstances.

The conference provides a venue for leaders to not only absorb research-backed insights but also to connect with peers facing similar struggles and successes. By combining high-level strategy with practical, playbook-driven workshops, the event aims to ensure that every attendee leaves with actionable guidance they can apply immediately to strengthen their IT strategy and drive meaningful change within their organization.