Rethinking IT Operating Models for the Modern Enterprise
Generative AI, agentic AI, and other emerging technologies are transforming companies and driving businesses to rethink organizational structures and traditional roles.
Technology-First Focus Across the C-Suite
A technology-first focus across the C-suite means answering the following questions: CEO — how do I use technology to drive growth?; CIO — how do I use technology to deliver value to the business?; CXO — how do I use technology to make my function more productive and efficient?
Rethinking Technology and the Role of IT
Rethinking technology and the role of IT will drive a shift from the traditional model to a business technology-focused model. One example will be the shift from one large, dedicated IT team that traditionally handles an organization’s technology needs, overseen and directed by the CIO, to more focused IT teams that will perform strategic, high-value activities and help drive technology innovation strategy as Gen AI handles many routine IT tasks.
New Framework for Rethinking the Role of Technology
Accenture identifies a new framework for rethinking the role of technology and the evolving nature of IT in the modern tech-led enterprise:
- Amplified Intelligence: Considers how human and machine capabilities will drive new efficiencies and significant change in how technology is managed and governed.
- Dynamic Skills: Considers how new tools, service delivery models, and roles drive the need for continuous learning and upskilling — and unleashing the power of IT.
- Fluid Boundaries: Considers how access to data and technology is democratized across the business, resulting in flatter organizations and cross-functional teams.
- Adaptable Structures: Considers how AI is changing employee motivation and resetting expectations of how teams are structured and its dynamics as humans and machines collaborate.
Amplified Intelligence
The key insights for amplified Intelligence focus on the future of digital labor and the impact of AI in business. Accenture identifies three key takeaways:
- Breakthroughs in human and machine intelligence require business leaders to improve their fluency and technical acumen.
- AI agents and cognitive digital brains will deliver a generational leap forward in how technology supports IT teams.
- A culture of trust is needed for new technologies to deliver business value, driving the need for responsible AI at scale.
Cognitive Digital Brain
The rise of AI agents and the cognitive digital brain will reshape the IT function and its responsibilities. Crucially, Accenture suggests the most important feature of AI is its ability to learn.
Opportunities for Action
Accenture shared lessons on the reinvention of IT based on over 2,000 AI-led projects with clients around the globe. Here are the key actions leaders can take now:
- Reimagine your business through technology: Connect every point of your IT strategy to the business agenda and create clear metrics that link every technology initiative to a specific business outcome.
- Flatten hierarchies with a tech-adept leadership and workforce: Create new, hybrid roles that combine business and technical expertise.
- Accelerate AI adoption with partnerships: Build a strategic technology partner ecosystem with complementary capabilities that fill talent and technology gaps.
Conclusion
Rethinking IT operating models for the modern enterprise requires a technology-first focus across the C-suite and a shift from traditional models to business technology-focused models. By embracing amplified intelligence, dynamic skills, fluid boundaries, and adaptable structures, organizations can unlock new efficiencies and drive growth.
FAQs
- Q: What is amplified intelligence?
A: Amplified intelligence refers to the future of digital labor and the impact of AI in business, where human and machine capabilities drive new efficiencies and significant change in how technology is managed and governed. - Q: What is a cognitive digital brain?
A: A cognitive digital brain is a system that can understand — and increasingly act — at a higher level than ever before, comprised of four interconnected layers: knowledge, models, agents, and architecture. - Q: What are the key takeaways for amplified intelligence?
A: Breakthroughs in human and machine intelligence require business leaders to improve their fluency and technical acumen; AI agents and cognitive digital brains will deliver a generational leap forward in how technology supports IT teams; and a culture of trust is needed for new technologies to deliver business value. - Q: What are the opportunities for action?
A: Leaders can take action by reimagining their business through technology, flattening hierarchies with a tech-adept leadership and workforce, and accelerating AI adoption with partnerships.
