Last week I wrote about the need for technology decision-makers to look for small, quick wins with AI, in order to build confidence and credibility among both business and technology organizations. Some new data shows what you’re risking if your AI decision-making isn’t careful and considered.
Dataiku, an AI vendor, commissioned a Harris poll of 600 CIOs and discovered that almost three-quarters “regret at least one major AI vendor or platform selection made in the past 18 months.” And time may be running out for making the right decisions. The Dataiku/Harris survey found almost as many CIOs - 71% - believe they only have until the middle of this year to “prove AI value or risk budgets and job fallout,” according to the company’s press release on the study.
Not surprisingly, AI investments are receiving a high level of scrutiny, the study found; 62% of respondents “admit their CEO has questioned AI vendor or platform decisions they made at least once in the past year.” Similar percentages expect to face new “audit or explainability requirements” in the next 12 months, and a whopping 85% “say gaps in traceability or explainability have already delayed or stopped AI projects from reaching production.”
The bottom line, according to Dataiku/Harris: “The bottleneck is no longer building AI, it’s proving it can be trusted, governed, and defended.”
So the stakes couldn’t be higher for your organization – and your career. Enterprise Connect 2026 is designed to help you make the right decisions at this crucial time, and evaluate competing vendors side-by-side, so you can make the wisest choice of both products and partners. To help in this critical moment, we’re focusing several breakout sessions on AI at this year’s show. Here’s my top 10 examples:
- Half-Day Summit: AI Acceleration--From Pilot to Pervasive
- Keynote Panel: The Real ROI of AI - Unpacking the Business Cases That Pay Off
- Keynote: Fireside Chat: Building and Deploying an AI Tool Just for Your Enterprise
- The Economics of AI to Improve CX, While Reducing Costs
- Ethical Considerations for AI in Enterprise Communications
- Forget the Moonshot: Build Your AI Strategy One Micro Win at a Time
- Identity in the Age of AI: Securing Collaboration When You Can’t Trust the Face
- Reaching AI’s Full Potential with Training, User Adoption, & Skilling
- Understanding the Opportunities and Risks of Agent-to-Agent Communications
- Enterprise AI: How We’re Doing It
We all know AI is coming, but there’s still no instruction manual for IT decision-makers who want to ensure they make the right calls. EC2026 has impartial experts, enterprise peers, and a range of technology providers, all gathered together in one place, over three days that will go very fast. Take a deep dive with us, and you’ll be less worried about drowning in an AI reckoning. And if you register with the code ECBIRD you’ll get the Early Bird Rate. Hope to see you in Vegas!
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For over 35 years, Enterprise Connect has been the premier event where IT leaders, solution providers, and industry analysts come together to define the future of enterprise communications. As the most trusted conference in the industry, we deliver cutting-edge insights, world-class networking opportunities, and hands-on solutions that drive real business success.
Enterprise Connect is more than an event—it’s an experience that empowers enterprise communications leaders to reimagine the future of work. With elevated content, curated networking, and an engaging atmosphere, it remains the must-attend conference for professionals shaping the industry’s evolution.
Our mission is to equip you with the tools, strategies, and actionable insights needed to address your organization’s unique challenges. With industry transformation in mind, this year’s program introduces fresh new conference tracks, including:
- Legacy Unleashed: Optimizing Your Communications Backbone
- Workplace Reimagined: Engineering Tomorrow's Collaboration
- Tech Disruption Zone: Implementing Without Imploding
- Achieving Transformation: Architecting Your 3-5 Year Roadmap
- Future Shock: Communications Tech Beyond the Horizon
Featuring the most comprehensive program of objective content and an expansive vendor-neutral expo hall, Enterprise Connect is your ultimate resource for advancing collaboration, CX, and AV strategies. Join us to stay ahead, connect with industry trailblazers, and lead the transformation of enterprise communications.