James M. Connolly, Contributing Editor and WriterMarch 26, 20258 Min ReadCagkan Sayin via Alamy Stock[This article was updated on March 26, 2025, with more recent content]Those wondering about the role of the CIO in the digital age need only look at the keyword in the middle of the title: Chief "information" officer. The corporate world actually isnt just about being digital or data driven. That digital data represents what the organization actually knows: Information about itself, its customers, and its employees, and how that organization does business moving forward.So, the CIO that some organizations virtually locked in the data center for years is today involved in everything from payroll to cybersecurity, e-commerce to environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. Their domain extends from coders to clouds.Oh, and the CIO is also now the point person for AI initiatives and defending against AI abuse.This Quick Study takes a look at the role of the CIO these days as recorded by the writers who contribute to InformationWeek. The roles and responsibilities have changed dramatically and surely will continue to shift as the job itself morphs in the years ahead.CIOs, Their Jobs, and the Expanding C-SuiteCISOs in 2025: Evolution of a High-Profile RoleOver the past decade, the chief information security role has evolved from being a supporting position under the CIO or chief risk officer to a core member of the executive team.Emotional Intelligence: An Often-Overlooked IT Leadership SkillStrengthening your emotional intelligence can help you become a more effective and respected leader. Getting started is as easy as mastering a few key attributes.Changing Role of the CIOChief information officers need to lean into the leadership aspects of their role to deal with ongoing changes. Here are five strategic areas to focus on in your job.The CIO Playbook, and the Seldom Run Plays with Big PayoffsIf you want to move beyond just being a CIO in an organization, you have to stretch your boundaries.Bridging the Divide: How to Foster the CIO-CFO PartnershipBuilding a future-proof enterprise through strategic leadership collaboration between the chief information officer and chief financial officer, says the CIO of Workiva.First Days on the Job as a CIOBecoming chief information officer is a goal for many IT professionals. But what do you do when you finally get there?Why Some Newer C-Suite Titles FailCorporate C-suites continue to expand, but the success rate of the newer positions depends on many things.The Value of the Fractional Chief Technology OfficerA fractional CTO can be a great solution to help limit risk, manage teams, and develop cost-effective strategies to help meet the technology demands of an evolving business.Achieving CIO Balance: IT Meets the Business WorldCIOs are being pushed to deliver value to the business and stay on top of technical issues. How can they do both?Todays Blueprint for CIO success: A Shift in MindsetChief information officers can help lead organizations through todays complex macro environment, if they broaden their purview to areas that deliver business outcomes faster.Lessons from Banking on the Role of the Chief Risk OfficerBy using cutting-edge data, analytics, and AI technology, chief risk officers can help their organization drive more effective risk-management strategies.Hey, CIO, We Need AIThe CEO/CIO Dynamic: Navigating GenAI ImplementationBy working together, CEOs and CIOs can fully leverage the benefits of generative AI to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in the market, says KPMG.Leading as a Future-Ready CIO in an AI-Driven WorldCompanies are rethinking their partnership structures, with ecosystems leading as transformative new business models across various industries.How CIOs Can Navigate Their Jobs in the AI EraThe sudden and explosive popularity of AI among the public surprised many, including CIOs. With changing tech priorities, where should CIOs be prioritizing their efforts to be successful? The CIO of Experio offers a look.Reshaping the CIO's Playbook for the AI AgeIn this landscape of rapid change, the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on the role of the chief information officer is profound and far-reaching, according to EY.Fake News, Deepfakes: What Every CIO Should KnowAI advances are making fake news and deepfakes easier than ever. Most organizations arent prepared enough, yet.How Will AI Change the CISO Role?Artificial intelligence arms both defenders and threat actors, rapidly reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. Inevitably, the chief information security officer role must adapt to keep up.How CDAOs and CIOs Can Divide Data and Analytics ResponsibilitiesThe division of responsibilities between CDAOs and CIOs is often disputed, which can create tension and hinder operations, Gartner says. A better approach is to split the work and collaborate as peers.How, When, and Why to Hire a Chief AI OfficerTo develop an effective AI strategy, organizations should consider hiring a permanent CAIO who can align AI initiatives with long-term goals.CIOs and the Great Talent CrunchTaking a Deep Dive into People SkillsThe fundamental people skills -- or chops -- are communicating, collaborating, being a team player, and listening, with the ultimate goal as connecting.Do Women IT Leaders Face a Glass Cliff?Are organizations more likely to promote women to top IT management posts during hopeless crisis situations? Apparently, yes.4 Ways to Create a Workplace that Fosters Diverse LeadersResearch finds that there arent enough women in leadership positions. Here are four ways leaders can create a workplace that fosters more diverse leaders.Soft Skills: The Ultimate Force Multiplier for ITAs the job market shifts and new doors open, its critical for IT leaders to hire talented tech pros who are empathetic, forthcoming, and invested in helping the end user through their work.CIOs, Innovation, Their Budgets and ROIThe Case for a Fractional CIOWhat is a fractional CIO and when does hiring one make sense versus taking on a full-time executive?IT Leaders as Advocates for Continual ChangeWhile IT leaders have their finger on the pulse of tech advances, its crucial to work closely with business leaders ensuring strategy is aligned with business outcomes.CEOs Deploy CIOs for Digital LeadershipSuccessful CIOs must become agents for change, bolster their collaboration prowess and adopt a business first mindset, as CEOs lean on them to lead digital transformation.CIOs and the Right Tech in the Right Place5 Ways a CIO Can Assess the IT Landscape in a New RoleOnce settled into a new workspace and role, IT leaders can begin to assess how their new department works (and doesn't) in five key areas.ITs Key Role in Planting ESG EffortEnvironmental, social and governance (ESG) is an emerging area of focus for companies that could loom large in the future. How can CIOs plan for this today?CIO Compensation May Soon Be Tied to Green Data CentersLike it or not, the potential of green data center savings puts CIOs on the front line in the fight for sustainability.The Voices of Today's CIOsIntel CIO Motti Finkelstein on C-Suite Communication, Sustainable AI, and FutureFinkelstein must lead the chip giants IT team as the company embarks on its sprawling and ambitious foundry goals.Technology Leadership: The Sky Isnt the LimitHere are six lessons that flying taught me about being a leader, says the CIO of Nutanix.Former Microsoft CIO Jim DuBois Dishes On AI and Future of ITThe industry veteran and author looks beyond hype around generative language models as businesses begin adopting emerging technologies at a feverish pace.Q&A: Aflac US CIO Shelia Anderson Talks AI, Data, and CloudAutomating claims processing and other functions currently see more play with the insurer than ChatGPT, but Aflacs AI journey is still underway.Q&A: US Patent and Trademark Office's CIO on Cloud and DevSecOpsJamie Holcombe talks about developing a software factory drawing upon DevSecOps methodology and GitLab to help it modernize software development within his agency.About the AuthorJames M. ConnollyContributing Editor and WriterJim Connolly is a versatile and experienced freelance technology journalist who has reported on IT trends for more than three decades. He was previouslyeditorial director of InformationWeek and Network Computing, where heoversaw the day-to-day planning and editing on the sites. He has written about enterprise computing, data analytics, the PC revolution, the evolution of the Internet, networking, IT management, and the ongoing shift to cloud-based services and mobility. He has covered breaking industry news and has led teams focused on product reviews and technology trends. He has concentrated on serving the information needs of IT decision-makers in large organizations and has worked with those managers to help them learn from their peers and share their experiences in implementing leading-edge technologies through such publications as Computerworld. Jim also has helped to launch a technology-focused startup, as one of the founding editors at TechTarget, and has served as editor of an established news organization focused on technology startups at MassHighTech.See more from James M. ConnollyReportsMore ReportsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also Like