AI and ML Tops 2025 Agenda for APAC CIOs

The State of the CIO 2025 (APAC) report by Foundry reveals that 62% of organizations in the Asia-Pacific region anticipate an increase in their IT budgets, driven by strategic initiatives in AI and machine learning, regulatory compliance, and sustainability goals. As CIOs become pivotal in driving digital transformation, they prioritize investments in AI and ML for automation, innovation, and enhanced customer experience. Despite these advancements, a shortage of skilled IT professionals poses a significant challenge, prompting organizations to adopt AI agents to automate routine tasks and mitigate skill gaps. The report underscores the evolving role of CIOs from mere technology operators to strategic business enablers, with 85% of them more actively engaged in digital transformation than their business counterparts.