AI isn’t politely knocking anymore. It’s kicking down doors and rewriting the rules. Everywhere you turn, the conversation circles back to AI. We hear it in strategic meetings, at our events, even at casual coffee chats. Some of us are excited. Others are nervous. A few are in denial. But if there’s one truth we cannot ignore, it is that AI is forcing companies to rethink how they operate, from the ground up.

Look at cybersecurity: once a matter of firewalls and quick patches, now a complex dance with AI-driven attacks. Glance at customer experience: personalisation used to mean targeted emails; AI is now shaping entire journeys, anticipating what customers need before they know it themselves. These are not small adjustments. They are fundamental changes to the way we work, lead, and even think about value.

Let us not sugarcoat it. The shift can be terrifying. As a CIO, you have faced rapid transformations before, but AI’s scope is broader. It touches talent management, data ethics, and even our organisation’s sense of identity. The lines between IT and the rest of the business are blurring. Suddenly, every department expects a piece of the AI puzzle. That is both thrilling and unsettling. Are we spreading ourselves too thin, or seizing a unique chance to become key strategic players?

In all this excitement, it is easy to forget the basics. Budgets remain tight. Regulations evolve faster than we can interpret them. Stakeholders want big results, yesterday. But AI is not a magic wand. It is a tool that amplifies your strengths and weaknesses alike. If your data practices are sloppy, AI will highlight that. If you ignore cybersecurity, you will be handing the keys to malevolent bots. This is no time for half-baked strategies or glossy pitches. It is time for honest reflection.

That is why we are hosting The Big Transformer on April 24th. Think of it as a reality check. We will step beyond the breathless hype and examine actual results; some glorious, some grim. You will hear about AI’s impact on operations, culture, and yes, your own job description. It is not about scaring you into action. It is about arming you with the insights you need to steer AI in the right direction. If you have ever felt you are missing a piece of the puzzle, this event might just complete it.

So, let us be clear: AI will not wait for you to feel comfortable. It will not slow down so you can figure out your roadmap. It is here, flooding boardrooms and product teams with both promise and risk. The big question is, do you welcome it in, or let it reshape your world while you watch from the sidelines?

We urge you to read the pieces in this newsletter, reflect on your own approach to AI, and come prepared to ask tough questions at The Big Transformer. Because the future will not be handed to those who sit back. It belongs to those who engage, adapt, and maybe even fail fast, then learn even faster.