Tech Leaders Reveal AI Career Strategies for IT Professionals

The Changing Landscape of IT Leadership

Ambitious IT professionals facing career stagnation in middle management are getting new guidance from senior technology executives about navigating the AI revolution. According to recent reports, industry leaders are emphasizing that the traditional path to senior roles is undergoing significant transformation as artificial intelligence reshapes organizational expectations.

What’s particularly interesting is how the conventional wisdom about IT career progression is being turned on its head. Where once moving up meant moving away from technical details, sources indicate that today’s successful technology executives are maintaining their hands-on expertise even as they take on broader leadership responsibilities.

Technical Depth Meets Business Strategy

Orla Daly, CIO at technology specialist Skillsoft, reportedly observed that CIOs in recent years often prioritized boardroom politics over technical knowledge. That approach no longer works in the current environment. “While those leadership and management pieces continue to be super-relevant and important, you will also need to stay closer to technology, maybe more than previously,” she told ZDNET.

The driving force behind this shift appears to be the central role that AI and data now play across all business functions. Successful CIOs are increasingly expected to serve as expert resources on emerging technologies while simultaneously demonstrating how AI can transform executive responsibilities.

Fausto Fleites, vice president of data intelligence at ScottsMiracle-Gro, reinforced this perspective through his own experience. Despite his senior position, he maintains direct involvement with technology, even designing machine-learning models for his organization. “I can understand the limitations of what technology can and cannot do,” he explained, suggesting that professionals without strong technical backgrounds must quickly develop their understanding of AI’s capabilities and constraints.

From Service Provider to Strategic Partner

The evolution of IT leadership extends beyond technical knowledge. David Walmsley, chief digital and technology officer at Pandora, described how technology organizations have transformed from disconnected service providers to integral strategic partners. “The days of technology leaders leaning back and saying, ‘Well, which of my external providers do I blame now?’ are long gone,” he noted.

This shift demands a fundamental change in mindset among aspiring leaders. Analysts suggest that successful technology professionals now embrace a “prove by doing” approach, accepting that some initiatives might fail while maintaining forward momentum. The emphasis has moved from perfect execution to strategic contribution and business impact.

Developing Future-Proof Capabilities

Meanwhile, educational leaders are emphasizing the importance of human skills that transcend specific technologies. Ed Fidoe, CEO of London Interdisciplinary School, argued that the critical differentiator for next-generation leaders lies in cultivating capacities like curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration. “Technology never exists in isolation; it is always entangled with psychology, economics, ethics, and culture,” he explained.

This interdisciplinary approach appears particularly relevant as AI systems raise complex legal, social, and environmental questions. Professionals who can navigate this multidimensional landscape and ask the right questions across different domains are reportedly positioned for long-term success.

Ankur Anand, group CIO at Nash Squared, added that continuous learning and network development remain essential components of career advancement. “Be curious—explore and learn about new technologies and techniques, especially AI,” he advised, while also emphasizing the growing importance of soft skills as organizational silos break down.

The New Leadership Equation

What emerges from these executive insights is a new formula for IT career success in the AI era. Technical depth must coexist with business acumen, hands-on experimentation with strategic vision, and specialized knowledge with broad interdisciplinary understanding.

The professionals who thrive in this environment won’t be those who simply master today’s tools, but those who can adapt to tomorrow’s complexities. As organizations continue to navigate AI adoption, the demand for leaders who can bridge technical possibilities with business realities appears to be accelerating—creating both challenges and opportunities for ambitious IT professionals willing to evolve their capabilities.