The C-suite weighs in on AI

Welcome to our latest edition of Access Granted Newsletter, our monthly roundup of the latest news in Identity and security. With so much noise out there, we’re here to surface the best so you can skip the rest.

Today’s topic > How executives are navigating AI’s risks, rewards, and unknowns. Scrolling social feeds, chatting with colleagues, thumbing through an actual newspaper — no matter where you look or who you talk with, the topic of artificial intelligence is likely making an appearance. It’s top of mind for many, especially business leaders who must make critical decisions around AI adoption and implementation at their organizations — even as the tech itself rapidly evolves under our feet.

This got us wondering, How is AI shaping strategies, priorities, and concerns in the business world? We surveyed executives across regions, industries, and company sizes to find out. You can find those survey results in our recently published AI at Work 2024 report, which provides global insights into how CTOs, CIOs, and CISOs/CSOs are approaching AI. Or keep reading for some key takeaways: 

Execs hold a positive view of AI. Respondents overwhelmingly see AI in a positive light, with 89% viewing AI as a positive or very positive force in the world. Only 2% have a negative sentiment about AI. For C-suite execs, it seems the allure of improved productivity, enhanced creativity, and better customer service may outweigh the cons. 

Privacy and security are top concerns. Even if they’re bullish on AI, execs are monitoring a few threats on the horizon. Data privacy leads the pack, with 74% of respondents choosing it from a list of top concerns regarding AI. Security risks — for instance, data poisoning or supply chain attacks — closely follow at 71%.

Identity is key to bringing AI on board. Executives understand that Identity and AI are inextricably linked. More than three-quarters (79%) of respondents view Identity and Access Management (IAM) as important when bringing AI capabilities to their organization. “IAM is a key pillar in security,” reflected one survey respondent, a CSO / CISO in the education industry. “It should be at the root of all you do. Managing who has access to the proper data and systems is critical.” 

AI is already at work. Sixty-four percent of executives say their organizations have seen moderate to widespread adoption of AI. This level of adoption is happening despite signals of possible friction. Executives rate the ease of integrating AI technology at their organizations as 6.4 on a scale of 0 (not difficult) to 10 (extremely difficult), suggesting the effort is a moderately difficult undertaking.

The bottom line. When it comes to AI, inaction is not an option. Determining next steps can seem daunting when the landscape itself is shifting, but there are ways business leaders can set up their organizations for success in the AI era. Interested in learning how? Check out the AI at Work 2024 report for more actions and insights.