CIO Summit

During the presentation, we will focus on IDC's forecasts regarding digital transformation and their implications for the challenges CIOs face today. We will discuss how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing—or perhaps merely changing?—business, impacting not only operational processes but also the required competencies and the evolving role of the IT director.

We will analyze the practical aspects of modernizing legacy systems and building a solid digital infrastructure, which serves as the foundation for the effective implementation of AI. Additionally, we will talk about the importance of moving beyond mere fascination with AI’s possibilities and instead focusing on a sober assessment of investments and building a solid business case for AI-driven projects.

The technological shift in AI is accelerating, but its impact on businesses and the economy remains a great unknown. A key question has been looming over the market for some time: will the massive investments in data centers and AI applications pay off and bring real business changes, or will they turn out to be a bubble similar to the one at the turn of the century? There is no doubt that in the long run, AI will transform the world in a tangible way, but what about the coming years—the period covered by corporate financial planning?

The presentation will feature macroeconomic and microeconomic data indicating AI's growing real impact on business operations, while also highlighting reasons to be cautious about overly optimistic visions.

While organisations are looking to reduce costs in order to achieve greater flexibility and agility for their businesses, cloud-based enterprise software - particularly software-as-a-service (SaaS) investments - has become more popular, as evidenced by the IDC Enterprise Applications Survey 2024. On the other hand, most organisations are still struggling with their internal local software and legacy enterprise applications that have yet to be phased out or replaced.

The solution to this situation is software democratisation based on automation, orchestration and observability, supported by artificial intelligence.

Is AI still just hype? Or an excuse to make companies' operations more efficient? When does transformation under the pretext of AI make sense and when is it a waste of money? During the presentation, you will learn lessons from real-life implementations and the operationalisation of AI strategies in organisations over the last 2 years. 

Sandra Tiskens will share how OpenText is achieving $1 billion in savings over ten years by leveraging its own software to address challenges faced by CIOs and CDOs. The session will explore innovative strategies in information management that revolutionize developer experiences, enhance employee support, and optimize IT operations.

Key Highlights:

• $240M: Productivity and efficiency improvements through advanced tools and streamlined processes.
• $175M: Process improvements, automation, and AI adoption to eliminate redundancies.
• $375M: Rationalization of systems, tools, and hardware to optimize infrastructure.
• $160M: Data center consolidation and cloud optimization to reduce operational footprints.
• Attendees will gain actionable insights into how organizations can leverage information management solutions to drive transformation and achieve measurable outcomes.

In today's rapidly changing world, digital transformation is a key part of any organisation's success. How has Żabka, a leader in the convenience industry, used this fact to successfully become an AI-powered company?

During his talk, Pawel Grabowski, Director of Unmanned Solutions at Żabka Future, will discuss the key elements that have contributed to Żabka Group's success in transforming into an AI Driven Company, such as management commitment, investment in technology and innovative approaches to management and technology. He will share best practices and strategies that can inspire other companies, as well as challenges and pitfalls to consider along the way. He will also present concrete examples of AI applications at Żabka Group that have delivered tangible business benefits, such as process optimisation, improved customer experience and increased operational efficiency.

Many organizations are implementing AI/GenAI solutions, yet achieving a real business impact remains a significant challenge. In this presentation, I will discuss key difficulties and strategies to overcome them, including selecting the right projects, building a flexible architecture, and adapting to the rapid evolution of AI technology.

In the era of rapid artificial intelligence development, organizations face a critical challenge: how to manage data effectively to fully harness AI’s potential. According to IDC research, one in three large organizations in Europe has had to significantly modify its data management policies in the context of AI implementation.

During the debate, data and AI experts will share their experiences in building AI foundations within their organizations. We will seek answers to key questions: What data governance strategies are essential for AI? How can organizations strike a balance between effective data governance and AI-driven innovation? How can risk be managed wisely without stifling progress? How are organizations preparing for the implementation of the AI Act, and which aspects of this and other regulations are perceived as the biggest challenges?

Today's consumers expect shopping and payments to be easy, convenient, and secure. A card, phone, smartwatch, gesture, or even a glance – what payment methods are available today? What technologies are driving the development of modern payment solutions? And most importantly – how do they enhance transaction security? Finally, how can innovations be implemented effectively and successfully?

In the era of rapid AI development, data is becoming a key asset – but effective utilization requires not only efficient infrastructure, but also advanced protection. That’s why we’ll explore how NetApp enables the creation of a secure data environment that supports AI growth. We’ll also discuss how NetApp’s modern security mechanisms help neutralize threats in real time and build trust in AI-driven solutions.

M - Mastery: Put mastery in the art of technology management. This is the result of consistent work and continuous improvement. GRIND CULTURE is about constantly raising the bar.

I - Innovation: Innovation is not born out of convenience - it is the result of determination and courage that comes from a culture of intense work.

N - Navigating Disruption: the world is changing and GRIND CULTURE gives us the strength to not only survive, but to prevail in times of disruption.

D - Data-Driven Decisions: At GRIND CULTURE, data is the fuel that drives precise decisions, minimising risk and maximising profit.

S - Sustainability: even in a busy world, GRIND CULTURE is committed to a long-term vision and a balance between performance and accountability.

E - Excellence: Excellence is not an accident - it is a habit. GRIND CULTURE is about the daily work that makes you win not just the battles, but the whole war.

T - Technology Leadership: GRIND CULTURE creates leaders who not only operate in the present, but create the future of technology.

The future workforce will include both humans and AI agents. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities of managing this new hybrid workforce, focusing on governance, security, performance monitoring, and integration with existing systems – not to forget about the human aspects of untapping potential, gaining new skills and new ways for individual development.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a key element of business strategies, but its success is not solely dependent on technology—leadership shapes the direction of change. Modern leaders must focus on transforming processes and redefining priorities rather than treating AI as an end in itself.

During the debate, we will seek to answer key questions: How can we identify strategic areas where AI delivers the greatest value? How can we build future-ready teams that seamlessly integrate technological expertise, business acumen, and multigenerational values? What role should leadership play in bridging the gap between business and IT departments? We will also explore critical aspects of change management and the democratization of AI within organizations.