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Overview Eliminating the need for scripts and coding, the new Workbench feature from Tines utilizes generative AI to quickly interact with a company’s data and other systems to automate simple and complex workflows. Stephen O’Brien, head of product at Tines, demonstrates how security teams and others can leverage the easy-to-use system. Register Now source

Generative AI is like a moonshot for CIOs: a technology with known flaws yet with the potential to redefine industries and unlock human potential, if today’s leaders meet the challenge. source

Generative and agentic artificial intelligence (AI) have captured the imagination of IT leaders, but there is a significant gap between enthusiasm and implementation maturity for IT operations and service management, according to a new survey from BMC Software and Dimensional Research. The study polled 424 IT stakeholders responsible for some aspect of AI implementation across large and midsize organizations in a wide array of industries. Even though 94% said that generative AI (genAI) is a part of their operations and management strategy, only 17% of the participating organizations have moved beyond the experimental phase, with just 5% reporting that they have mature implementations. The majority remain in the initial stages: 41% are experimenting with simple use cases, and 42% are running initial pilots. The adoption pattern reveals complexity in implementation approaches. Rather than settling for a single solution, organizations are embracing multiple platforms: 44% use two different genAI solutions, and 22% employ three. 71% use Microsoft Copilot, 62% use OpenAI ChatGPT, and 32% use Google Gemini. Given the complexity of training and managing a large language model (LLM), 24% are utilizing open source LLMs such as Llama or Google Gemini and developing their own homegrown solutions. Use cases for genAI are varied, although chatbots lead the way (see chart). BMC Software and Dimensional Research IT faces many significant challenges in implementing AI, according to the survey. Nearly half of the respondents (49%) said data is scattered across multiple repositories, and 45% reported that their existing solutions focus on simple, reactive use cases that don’t tap into AI’s full capabilities. There’s also a knowledge gap: 43% said that business stakeholders don’t understand the distinction between generic generative pretrained transformers (GPT) models and specialized genAI solutions for IT operations. Yet, optimism remains high, with 98% of the respondents expecting to reap future benefits from genAI, such as increased productivity, reduced maintenance needs, and lower costs. Also, the more mature the organization’s AI implementations are, the more optimistic the respondents are about the technology; 62% of those with advanced implementations predict significant future value. The survey also explored attitudes toward emerging agentic AI capabilities, which revealed another discrepancy. Although 60% of the respondents cited the value of natural-language interfaces for analytical reporting and 58% acknowledged the potential of autonomous agents, familiarity with agentic AI remains low. Only 8% consider themselves very knowledgeable about the technology, and 37% have never heard of it. Finally, contrary to reported concerns that AI will replace workers, 63% of the responding service and operations stakeholders believe that genAI will improve jobs, with only 1% expressing concerns about job displacement. This suggests that IT professionals see AI as an enhancing force rather than as a replacement for human expertise. IT is at a critical inflection point when it comes to generative and agentic AI. The survey results highlight the need for organizations to both embrace AI’s potential and recognize the practical challenges for implementation. Once these challenges are overcome, however, the next phase of AI adoption will likely focus on more sophisticated applications that continue to transform IT operations. Download the full report or attend this webinar to learn how agentic AI will transform enterprise IT work for your organization, and contact BMC today. source

“Customers simply describe the outcome they want to achieve, the role of the AI agents, and the processes they want to build through natural language prompts—not code—and AI Agent Studio will build a team of AI agents, managed by the AI Agent Orchestrator, that are ready to work immediately,” the company said. The new studio also guides enterprise users through creating, testing, and activating AI agents for custom use cases, it added. Another customer, Rolls-Royce, is already using the AI Agent Studio to streamline its operations, according to ServiceNow. source

In a move to establish itself as a global leader in AI-driven government, the government of Abu Dhabi has unveiled its ambitious Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027. This transformative plan, developed by the Department of Government Enablement (DGE) in collaboration with various governmental bodies, will see an investment of AED 13 billion over the next three years. The strategy’s goal is to create a fully AI-powered governance model, one that integrates the latest technologies across every facet of government operations, from cloud computing to automation, enhancing public service delivery and driving sustainable growth. The strategy’s cornerstone is the creation of a robust digital infrastructure that will enable 100% adoption of sovereign cloud computing for government operations, ensuring that all processes are not only digitalized but also fully automated. By transitioning to a completely cloud-based system, the government aims to enhance efficiency, reduce administrative overheads, and streamline public services for residents, businesses, and government entities alike. A key component of the strategy is the unified digital enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform, which will integrate various government functions into a single digital framework, improving productivity and simplifying management processes. This digital backbone will be crucial for the effective implementation of more than 200 innovative AI solutions across government services, further cementing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global hub for AI-driven innovation and digital governance. source

“The delay is obviously intended to win over customers for the ‘Rise with SAP’ program,” Hungershausen said, interpreting SAP’s change of strategy. “An understandable step by SAP in the course of its cloud strategy.” From DSAG’s point of view, however, this is unfortunately another measure “that gives the impression of forcing on-premises customers to switch to the cloud.”  However, on-premises users must not be left behind, the DSAG boss has repeatedly demanded. “We therefore believe it is essential that SAP grants companies more flexibility, transparency, and freedom of choice when it comes to their move to the cloud or their desire to continue to rely on SAP’s on-premises software.” While Hungershausen stresses that details are not yet known, “we are in a constructive and critical dialogue with SAP” on this matter, he said. source

SAP is starting the 2025 financial year with a new executive board. The German software company announced that 39-year-old Sebastian Steinhäuser will be promoted to the executive board. In the future, Steinhäuser will head the newly created Strategy & Operations board group and, in this position, will continue to drive the implementation of SAP’s strategy and simplify company processes. The integration of Strategy & Operations with Global Marketing, which is headed by the newly appointed Chief Marketing Officer Ada Agrait, is intended to improve collaboration and strengthen the digital experience for customers and partners, SAP said in a statement. Steinhäuser joined SAP in 2020 and has held various roles, including chief strategy officer. In this role, he led the growth areas of Business Transformation Management, Business Network, and Sustainability. In 2024, he was appointed chief strategy and operations officer. His area of ​​responsibility expanded to include business operations, processes, and IT, as well as partner network and commercial functions. Before joining SAP, Steinhäuser worked at Boston Consulting Group. source

Here’s what you need to know about the enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendor’s latest product and company news. source

This matters to CIOs because Musk will never be far from the bully pulpit and thus be erroneously perceived by many as the de facto spokesperson for all things technology. Being front and center in the daily news cycle does not equate to being in any way cognizant of the realities of the daily lived experience of IT providers or IT users. In Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine,David H. Petraeus correctly observes that “commanding general[s] need to be in the same country as the theatre of operations.” Elon Musk does not “live in” the same IT reality as the rest of us. I am hopeful that post-sale of Truth Social to X, a knowledgeable in-the-know spokesperson for IT-for-the-rest-of-us will emerge. I nominate Dr. Vincent Kellen, CIO at UCSD; Mike Coleman, CIO at Phantom Fireworks; and Will Baumann, co-founder and CEO at Fourthwall. Talent will remain the key driver of CIO success IT leaders need to become even more obsessed with finding talent. Having the right talent may be even more important that having the right technology. Ridley Scott, whose 2000 film Gladiator won a Best Picture Oscar explains, “To me, casting director is as important as a good camera.” source