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title: CIO 2026 outlook
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## CIO 2026 outlook:

# AI moves from disruption to delivery

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As AI investment accelerates and digital transformation intensifies, CIOs and tech leaders face growing pressure to turn innovation into measurable business impact − without increasing risk.

Experis surveyed 1,930 C-suite technology leaders across 12 countries, including over 150 from the UK, to uncover the key priorities, challenges and actions defining the modern CIO agenda. Download your free copy to learn how UK leaders are aligning IT and business strategy, proving AI ROI and building the capabilities needed to keep pace with change.

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# Top UK CIO priorities and challenges in 2026

## ![CIO-Report-Tab-icon-1-violet](https://sites.manpowergroup.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/EXP/CIO%202026/CIO-Report-Tab-icon-1-violet.png?width=86&height=75&name=CIO-Report-Tab-icon-1-violet.png)Business and IT alignment is now the CIO's top priority

![Business and IT alignment is now the CIOs top priority - UK](https://sites.manpowergroup.co.uk/hubfs/EXP/CIO%202026/Business%20and%20IT%20alignment%20is%20now%20the%20CIOs%20top%20priority%20-%20UK.webp "Business and IT alignment is now the CIOs top priority - UK")

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## ![CIO-Report-Tab-icon-2-violet](https://sites.manpowergroup.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/EXP/CIO%202026/CIO-Report-Tab-icon-2-violet.png?width=86&height=75&name=CIO-Report-Tab-icon-2-violet.png)The pace of change is the leading barrier

![The pace of change is the leading barrier - UK](https://sites.manpowergroup.co.uk/hubfs/EXP/CIO%202026/The%20pace%20of%20change%20is%20the%20leading%20barrier%20-%20UK.webp "The pace of change is the leading barrier - UK")

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## ![CIO-Report-Tab-icon-3-violet](https://sites.manpowergroup.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/EXP/CIO%202026/CIO-Report-Tab-icon-3-violet.png?width=86&height=75&name=CIO-Report-Tab-icon-3-violet.png) AI optimism is tempered by realism

![AI optimism is tempered by realism - UK-2](https://sites.manpowergroup.co.uk/hubfs/EXP/CIO%202026/AI%20optimism%20is%20tempered%20by%20realism%20-%20UK-2.webp "AI optimism is tempered by realism - UK-2")

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