Dive into Executive Insights: CEO priorities for 2025

Gain clarity on CEO priorities for business and technology.

IDC 2025 worldwide CEO report

Explore IDC’s latest Worldwide CEO Survey, a comprehensive analysis highlighting how global leaders are strategically leveraging innovation, enhancing customer experiences, and navigating ongoing economic pressures. Discover key insights from over 400 CEOs on transformative AI initiatives, agile business strategies, and vendor relationship dynamics essential for sustainable growth. 

The 2025 CEO Agenda – Transforming Business for an AI World

IDC’s 2025 CEO Agenda explores how business leaders are navigating a rapidly evolving, AI-driven landscape amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts. Based on IDC’s global survey of CEOs, this blog highlights the critical technology priorities shaping strategic decision-making and driving growth in today’s complex business environment.

Teodora Siman

Key insights from the CEO report

56% of CEOs say their organization needs to focus on innovation to thrive this year.

66% of CEOs report measurable business benefits from generative AI initiatives, particularly in enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. 

Economic volatility ranked as the top concern for CEOs for three consecutive years (2023-2025). 

Survey findings

Overarching Insights, Business Priorities, and Risks

Gain critical insights into CEO priorities including customer experience, innovation, and foundational business strategies to address ongoing economic pressures. 

Approach to AI 

Discover how CEOs are implementing and operationalizing AI initiatives to reinvent their businesses, drive transformation, and achieve measurable benefits.

Technology Priorities & Leadership Roles

Understand the evolving technology priorities of CEOs and how the role of technology leadership, including the CIO, is transforming in response to new strategic imperatives. 

Technology Vendor Value and Perceptions

Learn about the crucial attributes CEOs value in technology vendors, including data governance, security, and fast time-to-value, and how vendors can better align with CEO expectations. 

CEO interviews

  • Investment in Agentic AI

    AI in Action
    Nigel Vaz, CEO at Publicis Sapient

  • Tech Priorities – Hyper Personalized CX

    AI in Action
    Carlos Gazaffi, CEO at Sem Parar

  • Impact of Agentic AI

    AI in Action
    Carlos Gazaffi, CEO at Sem Parar

Meet the analysts

Image of Teodora Siman

Teodora Siman

Research Manager

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Image of Tony Olvet

Tony Olvet

Group VP

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Image of Lawrence Cheok

Lawrence Cheok

Associate Research Director

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Image of Giulia Carosella

Giulia Carosella

Senior Research Manager

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Ready to lead through the shift?

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