CTO Confidence in AI Scaling Crashes by 34 Points in Two Years as Corporate Governance Gaps Widen
24.06.2026 - 03:14:52 | boerse-global.de
Only 48 percent of chief technology officers now believe their organizations can scale artificial-intelligence projects effectively, according to a study published June 23 by the staffing and solutions firm Akkodis. That number has fallen from 82 percent in 2024, painting a stark picture of disillusionment in the C-suite.
The survey also found that just 44 percent of CTOs feel their top leadership teams have sufficient AI know-how. The most-cited emerging trend among respondents was “agentic AI” — autonomous systems that can plan and execute tasks without human oversight.
The skepticism is not limited to technical leaders. A separate study by Expleo from May 2026 revealed a sharp divide in risk perception between company owners and junior managers. While 85 percent of owners expressed confidence in their own AI governance frameworks, only 53 percent of junior management shared that view. Cybersecurity concerns followed a similar pattern: 65 percent of operational managers said they were worried, compared with 47 percent among owners.
Strategy Gaps and Aging CEOs
The need for strategic recalibration is underscored by the latest European edition of the “Route to the Top” report, also released on June 23 by the executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles. Of 299 senior managers surveyed, 90 percent anticipate that their organizations will require significant strategic changes. The same study identified a capability–demand mismatch: 38 percent of respondents acknowledged a gap between current skills and future requirements.
The average age of CEOs in Europe has climbed to 57.5 years, and nearly half of current incumbents have held the top job at a previous company.
Boardroom Reshuffle and New Consulting Offering
Heidrick & Struggles itself is undergoing a structural overhaul. On June 22–23, the firm appointed several new members to its Board of Managers, including Aseem Datar, a former Microsoft executive specializing in cloud infrastructure and quantum technology, and Leanne Wood, Vodafone’s longtime human-resources chief. Tom Monahan took on the role of vice chairman, and Tom Murray also joined the board. The moves come as the company has operated under private ownership with backing from Advent and Corvex since late 2025.
Alongside the personnel changes, the consultancy launched a new service on June 23 called “Performance Culture.” The offering aims to align a client’s corporate culture, purpose, strategy, and organizational structure to drive sustainable growth. It draws on the expertise of businessfourzero, a firm Heidrick & Struggles acquired in 2023.
AI Reaches the Meeting Room
Practical applications of AI continue to ripple through the enterprise-software market. On June 22, the board-management platform Fabasoft Boards introduced new features for digital meeting management, including automated minute summaries and translation services covering more than 20 languages.
To address the shortage of strategic AI knowledge among managers, the WINGS department of the University of Wismar is launching a part-time MBA in Applied AI starting in the 2026 winter semester. Applications close on July 31.
