This study, now in its second year, draws on insights from 500 global Chief Technology Officers and is part of the Adecco Group's broader "Leading in the age of AI: Expectations versus reality" research.

The Decline of AI Strategy Confidence: What CTOs Need to Know

Although enterprise AI investment continues to accelerate, confidence in the strategies guiding this transformation is falling. Csuite confidence in AI strategy dropped from 69% in 2024 to just 58% in 2025. The sharpest declines were reported by CTOs and CEOs, down 20 and 33 percentage points respectively—an indication of mounting concerns over AI scalability, implementation delays, and the tangible return on AI investments are yielding meaningful results.

The AI Adoption Gap: How Executive Fluency Holds Businesses Back

CTOs also pointed to a leadership gap in AI understanding. Only 55% believe their executive teams have the fluency needed to fully grasp the risks and opportunities associated with AI adoption. Among employees, that figure falls to 46%, signaling a wider AI trust gap that could hinder successful AI implementation and long-term success. 

CTOs also pointed to a leadership gap in AI understanding. Only 55% believe their executive teams have the fluency needed to fully grasp the risks and opportunities associated with AI adoption.

This AI fluency gap isn’t just a communication issue—it signals a lack of technical understanding and poor strategic alignment at the leadership level. Without informed, confident leadership, AI initiatives risk losing momentum, credibility, and business impact.Shifting Skill Needs: Emphasizing Human Capabilities for AI Success 

While technical expertise remains foundational (51% of CTOs cite specialist IT skills as the top capability gap), the Akkodis report emphasizes that broader, human-centric skills are becoming equally critical for effective AI integration. These essential competencies include: 

• Creativity (44%) 

• Leadership (39%) 

• Critical thinking (36%) 

To unlock real value from AI, companies need more than tech talent—they need human skills like creativity, critical thinking, and strategic agility. As AI becomes part of everyday operations, these capabilities are essential for interpreting insights, driving innovation, and adapting systems across real-world business challenges.Upskilling Efforts Lack Strategic Direction 

Despite growing investment in employee learning and development, many organizations still lack the infrastructure to ensure training is targeted and impactful. Only 20% of CTOs report using data tools to assess current workforce skills or monitor learning progress. As a result, training often occurs in silos, disconnected from business goals or role-specific requirements. 

Only 20% of CTOs report using data tools to assess current workforce skills or monitor learning progress.

The report recommends embedding capability development directly into enterprise systems—linking learning to operational workflows and performance objectives. This shift would enable continuous, in-context skill development that evolves alongside digital transformation goals. 

Developing Internal AI Talent: A Strategic Must for EnterprisesRelying solely on external hiring to fill AI skill gaps may limit long-term success. While new talent brings fresh expertise, external hires often lack the organizational insight and cross-functional relationships essential for scaling AI effectively. To build sustainable, enterprise-wide AI capabilities, leaders should adopt a balanced approach—combining strategic recruitment with internal talent development and upskilling programs aligned to business goals.The CTO’s New Mission: Leading AI-Driven Enterprise TransformationAs organizations transition from AI experimentation to deep AI integration, CTOs are increasingly seen as pivotal enterprise transformation leaders. Their responsibilities now extend beyond infrastructure and operations to include cross-functional AI strategy, executive enablement, and systems design that supports both technical and human capacity. 

By aligning skills strategy with enterprise architecture and fostering greater AI fluency across leadership teams, CTOs can help close the gap between AI ambition and execution—building organizations that are not just AI-ready, but AI-confident. 

The "What CTOs Think" report is based on fieldwork conducted between November 2024 and January 2025. Explore more information and access the full report.