AI After the Hype: Why Scaling Value Means Quitting More

About this episode

Tori Paulman discusses the challenges CIOs face in scaling AI initiatives beyond initial successes and the importance of strategic decision-making in overcoming the AI hype.

AI hype hasn't disappeared, but patience has. In this episode of ThinkCast, recorded from the Gartner CIO Leadership Forum Opening Keynote, Gartner VP Analyst Tori Paulman breaks down why many AI initiatives stall after early wins — and what separates CIOs who move through the hype from those who fail to generate lasting value. Hear why organizations making real progress with AI aren't chasing the next breakthrough use case. Instead, they're changing how they decide what to stop, when to quit, where to double down, and how to lead through the Trough of Disillusionment. You'll learn: How CIOs who deliver value decide when to persist, pivot, or pull the plug What it really means to scale AI beyond pilots and proofs of concept Why "quitting better" is a leadership skill — not a failure How to move from AI hype toward an AI‑shaped organization Dig deeper: Download our guide to realizing AI value Attend a Gartner CIO Conference near you See why Gartner is the world authority on AI Try out AskGartner for more AI-powered insights

People in this episode

Guest: Tori Paulman

Topics covered

• AI
• CIO leadership
• business strategy
• technology adoption
• organizational change

Keywords

• AI
• CIO
• leadership
• value generation
• disillusionment
• business strategy
• technology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gartner

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