As 2025 draws to a close, surveys indicate that IT decision-makers and executives are increasingly prioritizing the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. A report from Rimini Street, based on a survey of 4,295 C-suite executives including chief financial officers (CFOs), chief information security officers (CISOs), CIOs, and CEOs, reveals that while cyber security and risk management rank as the top tactical initiatives (44%), the long-term focus is shifting towards enhanced automation and AI adoption.
According to the study, 46% of CIOs and 43% of CEOs identified increased automation and AI as their foremost priority over the next five years. The report further notes that 35% of executives aspire to transform their businesses into data-driven organizations. R “Ray” Wang, founder and principal analyst at Constellation Research, underscored the transformational potential of AI, stating, “AI is all about exponential efficiency. And it translates to results of 10x faster and 10x better – delivered at 10x cheaper.”
To harness this transformative power, Rimini Street emphasizes the necessity for executives to adopt an organization-wide approach in enabling AI, advocating for a collaborative vision among C-suite leaders to develop a structured execution plan. This includes securing necessary funding for ongoing experimentation, implementation, and results evaluation.
Currently, the focus for many business executives and IT leaders remains on tactical measures such as implementing cloud strategies, enhancing cyber security, ensuring regulatory compliance, and optimizing IT costs. These initiatives, prompted by constrained IT budgets and the rising threat of sophisticated cyber attacks, serve immediate business needs. However, survey results indicate a strategic shift towards adopting new technologies, improving business continuity, and enhancing internal capabilities in the long term.
When evaluating returns on technology investments, the Rimini Street survey found that executives anticipate a payback of approximately 27% in the first one to two years, which is expected to rise to 37% over three to five years. Full returns are anticipated after six years, reflecting pressure to prioritize technology initiatives that deliver sustainable impact while maintaining cost predictability. Michael Perica, CFO of Rimini Street, remarked, “As economic and operational pressures intensify, executives are taking a far more disciplined approach to technology investment.”
He recommended that IT and business leaders concentrate on a “business-driven enterprise software roadmap,” which allows organizations to strategically redirect resources from low-value activities towards high-impact initiatives like agentic AI, aimed at enhancing efficiency and fostering long-term growth.
Furthermore, the study indicates that 51% of C-suite executives possess a vision for their organization’s IT infrastructure, necessitating a robust, forward-looking roadmap. Rimini Street anticipates that over the next five years, executives will increasingly engage in incremental transformational activities such as transitioning to data-driven organizations.
These findings resonate with current trends highlighted in Deloitte’s latest CFO study, which indicates that chief financial officers expect UK businesses to ramp up investments in digital technologies, including AI, within the next five years. Although they do not foresee immediate improvements in business performance or productivity, they remain optimistic about long-term gains. Only 10% of CFOs surveyed are investing in employee training in the next year; however, nearly three-quarters (73%) plan to invest in workforce skills over the next five years.
Richard Houston, senior partner and CEO at Deloitte UK, stated, “CFOs are significantly more positive about improving performance through deploying AI and remain upbeat about technology investment over the medium term.” He added that technology significantly drove US GDP in 2025 and expressed optimism for AI’s potential to enhance UK business performance and promote growth. “However, to realize the full value from AI, we must combine human skills with technology and upskill people so nobody is left behind,” he concluded.
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