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Info-Tech LIVE 2025 Day 2 Highlights

The second day of Info-Tech LIVE 2025 proved to be a powerhouse of insights for the gathered IT leaders at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. As the global research and advisory firm kicked off its second leg, the focus was on actionable strategies and bold leadership insights designed to propel IT organizations through the chaos of exponential change.

Keynote Presentations

The day featured a series of enlightening keynotes from industry experts who shared their views on transforming IT leadership amid rapid advancements in technology. Geoff Nielson, the Senior Vice President of Brand Influence at Info-Tech, set the stage with his keynote titled "The Seven Secrets of Successful CIOs." Nielson addressed a pressing issue within the industry: IT departments often fall into the trap of "firefighting mode," operating merely as a support function rather than as strategic partners. He argued for a structural reset in IT leadership and presented the IT Playbooks, five interlocking guides that provide accountability and tailored metrics for CIOs and their teams.

Through these playbooks, Nielson emphasized that IT transformation should be treated as a collective effort, empowering team leads across various domains like security, data, and applications to share responsibilities for modernization and AI adoption. "Transformation is a team sport," he affirmed, urging leaders to track satisfaction metrics to prioritize advancements effectively.

Winning With Big Bets

John Rossman, an author and former Amazon executive, took the stage next with his keynote, "Winning With Big Bets in the Hyper Digital Era." Rossman urged companies to embrace well-governed 'big bets' instead of merely engaging in incremental projects that fail to make a significant impact. He emphasized understanding risks and fostering decision-making clarity. "Bold beats incremental," he resonated, advocating for a shift toward high-stakes initiatives that can drive real change.

Tech Trends and Future Predictions

Rob Meikle, also from Info-Tech, shared insights from the firm's annual tech trends analysis, comparing it to a compass for IT leaders. Reflecting on past predictions, he highlighted the dichotomy between technologies that have delivered substantial value and those that faltered. He encouraged leaders to think like venture capitalists by diversifying their bets and closely monitoring emerging technologies. The sneak peek into trends for 2026 revealed multiagent orchestration and AI's transformative role as key themes to watch, while advising caution around purpose-built platforms.

AI Integration

The session took an intriguing turn when Zack Kass, Global AI Advisor, presented on the evolving landscape of AI, describing it as a rapidly advancing phenomenon that can lead to significant economic shifts. Kass shared that as AI costs decrease, organizations must find creative ways to leverage this 'unmetered intelligence' to enhance their capabilities. However, he also warned about the potential risks of cognitive complacency and challenges as automation becomes more prevalent.

Cultivating Effective Leadership

The day concluded with Steve Reese, CIO of the Phoenix Suns, discussing his philosophy of "addictive leadership"—a style that inspires and engages teams by speaking to intrinsic motivations rather than relying solely on external incentives. He encouraged leaders to tailor their approaches to each team member's unique drivers and strengths, underscoring that the modern mandate for IT leaders is to coach and adapt in alignment with their teams' purposes.

Looking Ahead

As the conference gears up for its final day, attendees can expect continuing discussions around developing the next generation of tech talent, practical lessons from high-performing IT teams, and explorations into advanced technologies like quantum computing. Day 3 promises further insights that will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of IT and business.

Overall, Day 2 of Info-Tech LIVE 2025 was packed with valuable insights that not only emphasized the need for bold leadership but also provided practical frameworks and foresights crucial for navigating the complexities of today’s digital transformation landscape.