[key points]

Key points

• •In 2026, CIOs face tight budgets, rising costs, and increased business demands.
• •Cybersecurity and maintaining operational systems take priority, while innovation projects are often postponed.
• •Rationalizing IT costs, optimizing the cloud, and automation via AI are essential to maximize value.
• •Generative AI represents a major investment, but its value must be demonstrated with precise data (KPIs, ROI).
• •CIOs must become strategic partners, justifying every expense and transforming the IT budget into an investment for resilience and growth.