Gartner ThinkCast

AI-driven layoffs are making headlines, but is AI really the main culprit? Or is the story more complex? As organizations enter 2026, leaders face rising performance expectations, cultural strain, and mounting pressure to deliver productivity gains that rarely materialize. What does this mean for the future of work? In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, host Alexis Wierenga talks with Gartner expert Emily Rose McRae to break down Gartner's Future of Work Trends for 2026. From the truth behind AI-related workforce reductions, to the hidden risks of AI "workslop" and the growing importance of mental fitness, Emily Rose shares actionable insights for HR leaders, CIOs and executives navigating an AI-enabled workplace.   You'll learn: Why most AI-driven layoffs aren't what they seem How "workslop" creates a hidden productivity drain in organizations Why leaders aren't seeing expected productivity gains Why performance pressure is rising and how to protect culture The critical role of mental fitness in an AI-first world   Dig deeper: Download the full 9 Future of Work Trends for 2026 Register for the Future of Work Trends live webinar Join us at a Gartner HR Conference near you See how Gartner is the world authority on AI

As CIOs enter 2026, the pressure is on: Budgets are flat, headcount is tight, and yet expectations for growth, innovation, and AI adoption are soaring. How can technology leaders deliver impact when resources are constrained and the pace of change is relentless? In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Gartner expert Chris Howard walks through the latest CIO Agenda survey results for 2026, as debuted at Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo. From navigating geopolitical vendor risk to shifting planning cycles and driving financial impact beyond productivity, Chris shares actionable insights for CIOs looking to lead with agility, manage risk strategically, and push through uncertainty with tenacity.   Tune in to discover: Why agility, risk and tenacity are the defining traits of successful CIOs in 2026 How to pivot from annual planning to dynamic reprioritization Why rethinking your vendor mix is critical amid rising digital sovereignty How to move beyond productivity gains to deliver measurable financial impact What AI adoption means for talent strategies and organizational resilience   Dig deeper: Download more insights from the CIO Agenda for 2026 Join us at a Gartner CIO Conference near you See how Gartner is the world authority on AI  

As we close out the year, we're bringing you some of 2025's standout ThinkCast episodes. Today's episode, originally released in April, explores how leaders can scale AI using Gartner's "AI tech sandwich": In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we tackle one of the most pressing questions facing executive leaders today: How should organizations approach AI deployment? Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Whit Andrews joins host Karen Stokes Lockhart to help answer whether leaders should build, buy or blend when approaching their AI integration, while further exploring Gartner's "AI technology sandwich" framework. Tune in to hear Whit and Karen discuss the multiple layers of enterprise AI, including embedded AI, bring-your-own AI and the critical governance decisions that support a responsible, scalable foundation for IT and tech leaders navigating a complex AI landscape. Dig Deeper: Download the guide to Deploying AI in Your Organization Register to attend a Gartner CIO Conference near you

As we close out the year, we're bringing you some of 2025's standout ThinkCast episodes. Today's episode, originally released in May, dives into the rapid emergence of machine customers and how AI agents are transforming customer experience looks:   In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, we explore what customer experience looks like today — a world where your most valuable customers might not even be human. Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Don Scheibenreif joins host Alexis Wierenga to unpack how CEO perceptions, AI agents and machine customers are reshaping CX strategy. Drawing from Gartner's latest CEO research, Don shares critical insights on the shift in customer expectations, the rapid emergence of autonomous buyers and the emotional impact of AI adoption. Whether you're designing for humans, machines or both, this episode offers a roadmap for getting customer experience right in an AI-first future.   Tune in to discover: Why CEOs may not know their customers as well as they think What machine customers are and why they matter now The key blind spots in AI-driven CX strategies How to balance automation and humanity to create trust   Dig deeper: Attend a Gartner Conference near you Watch more insights on When Machines Become Customers Watch the full conversation on YouTube

AI is transforming faster than leaders can rewrite their strategies, and staying ahead requires a new kind of clarity. So how do you move beyond experimentation and hype to build AI that truly delivers business value? In this episode of Gartner ThinkCast, Gartner Director Analyst Deepak Seth joins to explore what's next in AI implementation, including what comes after AI agents. He'll break down where AI really sits on the Gartner Hype Cycle today, why organizations struggle to operationalize new capabilities, and how leaders can stay grounded while still planning for a rapidly shifting future.   Tune in to discover: How to overcome the most common implementation pitfalls Why value from AI is a journey, not an overnight return How to make forward-looking decisions without falling into "wait and see" paralysis Why AI agents won't define the long-term future of enterprise AI What bold predictions could reshape the next decade   Dig deeper: Explore the CIO Agenda for 2026 Try out AskGartner for more trusted insights Become a client to read more about distributed human computing and other future-looking insights