GenAI and agentic AI were key themes in 2024, but there was plenty of nuance to note as well as common best practices that provide enterprise value.
Here's a look at some of the key takeaways in 2024 from the CXOs in the BT150 based on our numerous interviews and monthly calls.
Sort through the hype vs. reality with genAI and agentic AI. Generative AI and AI agents can drive projects, reshape performance management and impact culture. The problem is cutting through the hype vs. reality of AI adoption. Scaling remains a big issue.
- BT150 CXO zeitgeist: Data lakehouses, large models vs. small, genAI hype vs. reality
- BT150 zeitgeist: AI agent questions, SaaS ate the opex and job woes
Wanted: Real-world value. BT150 members emphasized the need to translate AI innovations into real-world operational value. Process automation was a critical component of genAI efforts and CxOs said there are plenty of returns available with traditional AI approaches.
- BT150's Ashwin Rangan on CIO evolution, technology curves and what it means for genAI deployments
- BT150 Spotlight: Sunitha Ray on the difference between enterprise AI and genAI
Frustration with vendors. BT150 members frequently said they were frustrated with their SaaS vendors for a lack of customer focus, rising costs and questionable ROI. CxOs were also weary of SaaS models that ate up the operating expense budget and wanted tangible business value.
Enterprise buyers ware also struggling with complexity in systems as well as new methodologies.
- BT150 zeitgeist: Dear SaaS vendors: Your customers are pissed
- BT15O CXO zeitgeist: Vendor procurement, cool projects and margin compression
- BT150 CXO zeitgeist: AI trust, AI pilots to projects, VMware angst, projects ahead
- BT150 CXO zeitgeist: Low marks for SAP RISE, process automation, change management, AI risk
Wariness of trending technologies. CxOs said throughout the year that the focus should be on proven results over the latest and greatest in foundational models and data platforms.
Change management matters. CxOs said successful AI projects typically were due to change management as much as the actual technology or vendors.
- BT150 Zeitgeist: GenAI projects and culture, performance management
- BT150 Spotlight: MultiCare Health System's Laurie Wheeler on optimization, change management and healthcare transformation
Use AI projects to drive organizational change. Yes, genAI can drive productivity, but the real win is using those technologies to drive organizational change.
Processes matter. Using AI to scale inefficient business processes will only create headaches. CxOs said that enterprises need to emphasize human-centric approaches and human oversight. Where to put humans in AI-driven processes is the key question.
- BT150 Spotlight: Insight Global's DeWayne Griffin on HR, AI and Humans in the Loop
- BT150 Spotlight: Jewelers Mutual John Kreul on Human-Centric AI, CX, Returns and Futureproofing
See more:
- 2024 in Insights: Everything we’ve learned
- 2025 in preview: Your reading list
- Enterprise software 2025: Three big shifts to watch
- GenAI's 2025 disconnect: The buildout, business value, user adoption and CxOs
- The art, ROI and FOMO of 2025 AI budget planning
- Agentic AI: Three themes to watch for 2025
