Half of CTOs Report No Active Recruitment for AI Talent

The 2024/25 Global CTO Survey results show that 59.3% of Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) are not actively hiring AI specialists. This startling finding underscores the growing gap between the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence and an organization's readiness to leverage its potential effectively.

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The survey of over 100 CTOs worldwide shed light on the obstacles and priorities shaping modern technology leadership. While the deployment of artificial intelligence is accelerating—with Machine Learning leading the way at 48.4%—many organizations face barriers such as talent shortages, limited budgets, and strategic mismatches that hinder realizing AI's full potential.

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AI Talent Shortage: A Barrier to Innovation

The survey outlines a critical talent gap: nearly 60% of CTOs report a lack of active recruitment for AI positions, and 28.6% find it challenging to hire qualified professionals. The data points to systemic issues, including oversaturation of the labor market with niche AI skills and a lack of scalable strategies for building an AI team.

“The survey highlights AI’s growing dominance, with 71% of CTOs prioritizing Machine Learning in the next 2-4 years,” commented Bartek Roszak, Head of AI at STX Next. “As companies embark on their AI transformation journeys, it is crucial to define the nature and depth of this transformation. Will AI merely enhance peripheral processes, leaving the core business intact? Or will it profoundly reshape the core, making AI-driven development a key component of the company’s intellectual property? In some cases, the disruptive potential of AI may necessitate launching R&D initiatives or acquiring startups already advancing in this space. The strategic direction taken will determine not only the impact of AI but also the organization’s long-term competitive edge.”

Budget Constraints Limit Strategic Moves

Budget constraints remain a major obstacle. According to the survey, 36.3% of companies have no defined budget for AI initiatives, and only 6.6% allocate more than 30% of their technology spending to AI. This cautious financial approach often sidelines long-term investments in favor of immediate operational priorities.

Future Implications

As Artificial Intelligence becomes an integral driver of business innovation, organizations that fail to address these gaps risk losing competitiveness. The 2024/25 Global CTO Survey serves as a wake-up call for technology leaders to act decisively and strategically in building their AI capabilities.

About the Global CTO Survey

The Global CTO Survey is a premier initiative designed to capture insights from CTOs worldwide on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities within the technology sector. Each edition delivers critical data on technology decisions, operational strategies, cybersecurity, and industry forecasts.

Four editions have been released to date: Global CTO Survey 2020, 2021, 2023, and the latest, Global CTO Survey 2024/25: AI Edition.

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https://www.thectosurvey.com/