CIOs Will Shift from Tech Operators to Business Architects by 2029

Monica Caldas, global CIO for Liberty Mutual Insurance, expects the CIO role will soon be about orchestrating how a business performs. [1] By 2029, AI is expected to be embedded into workflows, decision-making, and business operations. [1]

As intelligent systems take on more routine work, Caldas says CIOs will spend more time shaping business strategy, workforce evolution, and competitive advantage. [1] Caldas predicts the role will focus on reimagining how humans and intelligent systems work together to create value. [1]

Anthony Moisant, CIO and CSO for Indeed, says the CIO is becoming the architect of how a business runs and its operating system. [1] Kathy Kay, executive vice president and CIO for Principal Financial Group, notes that she already has more conversations about how the business should run than about technology. [1]

The consensus among these IT leaders indicates a fundamental transition from technology administration to strategic business leadership. As AI handles routine operational tasks, the value of a CIO will be measured by their ability to integrate human and machine workflows to drive competitive advantage. This represents a structural elevation of the IT function into core enterprise architecture. What the sources don't address: How the foundational technical skills required for aspiring CIOs will change as the executive role becomes less focused on hands-on technology implementation.