As AI continuous to flex its influence among business leaders and heads of operations, the Gartner Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence reveals two technologies that are emerging as key drivers of innovation and operational efficiency.
Source: Gartner (August 2025)
AI agents are semi-autonomous software entities capable of making decisions and executing tasks in diverse environments. These agents are particularly relevant for organisations looking to automate complex processes.
However, as Haritha Khandabattu, senior director analyst at Gartner, warns that "despite the enormous potential business value of AI, it isn't going to materialise spontaneously."
She notes that the successful implementation of AI agents requires a clear understanding of specific use cases. Leaders must identify the right contexts for deployment, as not every situation suits AI agent utilisation.
Equally vital is the concept of AI-ready data. This refers to datasets that are optimised for AI applications, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Gartner emphasises that organisations must evolve their data management practices to support AI initiatives effectively.
This shift is essential for addressing business demands while mitigating risks related to compliance and data integrity. According to Gartner, firms that invest in AI at scale will need to adapt their data strategies to maintain trust and avoid potential pitfalls.
Furthermore, multimodal AI—models that integrate various types of data such as text, images, and audio—will play a crucial role in enhancing business capabilities over the next five years.
By analysing diverse data sources, these models enable organisations to gain deeper insights and make informed decisions. This technological evolution is expected to drive significant advancements across all industries.
Another critical consideration for COOs is AI trust, risk, and security management (TRiSM). As AI applications proliferate, ensuring ethical deployment and compliance becomes increasingly complex.
Gartner highlights that traditional security measures may not suffice in managing the unique risks associated with AI. Organisations must implement layered TRiSM strategies to uphold governance standards and ensure the responsible use of AI technologies.
