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Top Priorities for CIOs in 2025: Insights from Info-Tech Research Group’s Annual Report

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Info-Tech Research Group, a global leader in IT research and advisory, has recently published its CIO Priorities 2025 report. The report, based on findings from the firm’s annual research surveys, diagnostics, and executive interviews, highlights IT’s focus on foundational improvements in AI, cybersecurity, data quality, and workforce strategies over the past year, and provides insights on how CIOs can position their organisations to thrive in an era of exponential technologies.

SYDNEY, Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In response to the accelerating pace of technological disruption, Info-Tech Research Group, a global leader in IT research and advisory, has unveiled its CIO Priorities 2025 report, which outlines the key strategies CIOs need to lead their organisations through the complexities of AI-driven innovation and digital transformation. The firm’s comprehensive annual report provides actionable guidance to help IT leaders balance emerging opportunities with proactive risk management to drive sustainable growth.

Info-Tech’s report emphasises that CIOs must evolve beyond traditional IT management to become strategic drivers of enterprise-wide transformation. By embracing emerging technologies and fostering organisational agility, CIOs can not only mitigate risks but also unlock new avenues for innovation and long-term business success.

‘Across the APAC region, CIOs are uniquely positioned to lead their organisations through rapid technological advancements and evolving market demands,’ says George Khreish, managing partner at Info-Tech Research Group, APAC. ‘In markets like Australia, where digital transformation is accelerating, CIOs must prioritise building agile, future-ready teams and implementing responsible AI strategies. These priorities are not only critical for the APAC region but also reflect the global need for proactive leadership in driving sustainable growth and long-term resilience.’

The CIO Priorities 2025 report is grounded in extensive research, drawing from Info-Tech’s Future of IT 2025 and IT Talent Trends 2025 surveys, as well as data from the firm’s IT diagnostics programs, including CEO-CIO Alignment, CIO Business Vision, End User Satisfaction, IT Staffing Assessment, and IT Management & Governance Diagnostics. Additionally, 25 in-depth interviews with IT leaders offered valuable insights into how organisations are setting and executing their strategic priorities for the year ahead. This comprehensive methodology ensures that the report delivers actionable, real-world strategies tailored to the evolving challenges and opportunities CIOs face today.

‘CIOs have done well to drive digital transformation by rescuing data from organisational silos and building resilient information structures that facilitate productive engagement. Now they need to continue that journey into the age of AI and incorporate emerging technology to their own advantage,’ says Brian Jackson, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group and lead author of the report. ‘In 2025, CIOs must evolve with their organisations and help foster a virtuous cycle on a path to wisdom while defending against the threats to knowledge.’

The Key Priorities Identified for CIOs in 2025
Based on Info-Tech’s research findings, five priorities were revealed as the top areas IT should focus on for the coming year in order to compete and mitigate risk in an era of rapid technological change:

Distribute Data and AI Access Across the Organization
Ensuring high data quality is essential for AI effectiveness. CIOs must implement rigorous data governance frameworks to improve data accuracy and reliability, empowering teams to leverage AI responsibly while preventing data silos and security risks.

CIOs are advised to democratise access to data and AI capabilities to foster innovation. Establishing robust data governance and clear AI strategies will empower teams to utilise AI tools responsibly while mitigating risks like data silos and security vulnerabilities.Develop a Future-Proof Workforce
CIOs must foster a knowledge-centric culture by upskilling employees and encouraging knowledge-sharing across teams. This approach enhances workforce adaptability and drives informed decision-making in the face of disruptive technologies.

Upskilling and reskilling employees are essential to closing talent gaps in AI and cybersecurity. CIOs are encouraged to prioritise internal talent development through comprehensive education and training programs, enhancing workforce adaptability and engagement.Extend Identity Assurance with Zero Trust Security
With the rise of AI-driven cyberattacks, it is strongly recommended that organisations adopt zero-trust security models that emphasise continuous identity verification. Strengthening Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems and employee security training are critical steps in fortifying defences.Proactively Mitigate Emerging Technology Risks
CIOs must adopt principle-based risk management strategies to proactively identify and mitigate risks associated with rapidly evolving technologies, including AI and quantum computing. Early risk assessment will enable smoother adoption and sustained innovation.Build Exponential Product Teams to Drive AI Adoption 
CIOs should actively engage business leaders to align IT initiatives with broader organisational goals. Cross-functional product teams not only accelerate AI deployment but also position IT as a strategic partner driving measurable business outcomes.

Fostering cross-functional collaboration through product-centric teams accelerates AI deployment and ensures alignment with business objectives. This approach breaks down traditional silos, streamlines development, and maximises AI-driven value.

Info-Tech’s CIO Priorities 2025 report offers CIOs practical strategies to balance innovation with responsible governance. From implementing zero-trust security frameworks to fostering a data-driven culture, these insights empower organisations to seize new opportunities while proactively managing risks.

For exclusive and data-driven commentary from Info-Tech’s analysts and experts, including Brian Jackson, and access to the complete CIO Priorities 2025 report, please contact pr@infotech.com.

Info-Tech LIVE 2025 in Australia IT Conference
Registration is now open for Info-Tech LIVE 2025 in Australia, taking place March 18 to 19, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. This premier event offers journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to exclusive content, the latest IT research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact pr@infotech.com.

About Info-Tech Research Group
Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organisations.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com.

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group

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Nordic brings edge AI to battery-powered Wi-Fi devices, achieving twenty times lower standby power with new nRF71 Series

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Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, Thread, and on-device AI on a single chip, with existing software and tools, built for billions of intelligent devices that run for years on a battery

OSLO, Norway, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nordic Semiconductor, a global leader in low-power wireless solutions, today announces the nRF71 Series of ultra-low-power Systems-On-Chip (SoCs), bringing together ultra-low-power Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE), Thread®, and edge AI onto a single chip.

Built on the ultra-low-power design, software, and tools that have made Nordic a trusted leader in Bluetooth LE, the nRF71 Series delivers up to 20 times lower standby power usage than current-generation nRF70 Series Wi-Fi products. 

This leap in energy efficiency is expected to unlock new possibilities for developers targeting battery-powered Wi-Fi devices in applications such as smart home, wearables, and industrial IoT.  

“Edge AI will be part of every connected device, but for those that run on a battery, Wi-Fi has demanded a power budget they could not afford,” said Kjetil Holstad, EVP Wi-Fi and Power Management, Nordic Semiconductor. “With the nRF71 Series, Nordic removes that barrier. We are bringing Wi-Fi and edge AI to the same ultra-low-power platform and tools developers already trust for Bluetooth LE, so the next generation of intelligent products can connect to any network, make decisions on the device, and still run for years on a battery.”

Edge AI and the entire application on one chip

AI inference at the edge can now run directly on a single chip, with no external AI processor, so devices respond faster, use less power, and need fewer components. Keyword spotting, anomaly detection, and image classification are practical on battery-powered devices using nRF71 Series, thanks to its integrated Axon Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which runs machine learning models 10x to 17x faster than the 256 MHz Arm® Cortex®-M33 processor alone. The nRF71 Series can also run ultra-small AI models that developers build from their own data with Nordic’s Neuton software, which is ideal for running edge AI on the processor alone.

From its Axon NPU and Neuton software to over-the-air model updates with nRF Cloud, Nordic is bringing edge AI to battery-powered Wi-Fi devices, with the application, wireless connectivity, and AI all running on a single chip.

Battery-powered Wi-Fi for smart home, security, and industrial IoT 

With nRF71 Series, battery-powered smart home hub, Matter bridge, or Thread border router designs can now run Wi-Fi, Thread, and Bluetooth LE on a single chip, as can Matter-enabled smart locks, security panels, wearables, and industrial sensors. Two independent radios with separate RF and processing blocks make this possible: a Wi-Fi radio and Nordic’s 2.4 GHz multiprotocol radio from the latest generation nRF54 Series wireless SoCs. Both radios receive simultaneously, for devices to maintain their Wi-Fi connection to the cloud while listening for Bluetooth LE or Thread traffic, without either protocol waiting for the other.

The first nRF71 Series SoCs are the nRF7120 and the nRF7120E.  The nRF7120 offers dual-band Wi-Fi 6, while nRF7120E adds tri-band Wi-Fi 6E, and the Axon NPU for hardware-accelerated edge AI. Both parts come with 4 MB of on-chip non-volatile memory and 1 MB of user-accessible RAM. 

On show at Electronica

Nordic will showcase the nRF71 Series, including a Nordic-branded module, at this year’s Electronica, in Hall C6, booth 159.

Availability

The nRF71 Series is now sampling with selected customers.  
Developers can contact their local Nordic sales representative for availability. 

About Nordic Semiconductor

Nordic Semiconductor is a leading low-power wireless IoT company, providing the essential platform and wireless technologies that connect the world’s IoT devices for the consumer, healthcare, and industrial markets. By offering world-class hardware, embedded software, development tools, and cloud lifecycle services, the company simplifies the development and maintenance of secure, reliable, and scalable connected products. www.nordicsemi.com 

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Tencent Cloud Selected for HKMA’s Agentic Finance Expert Group, Showcases WorkBuddy’s New Financial Capabilities at Hong Kong FinTech Week

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HONG KONG, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global technology leader Tencent, showcased a range of innovative solutions at Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026, including the international version of WorkBuddy, eKYC, Tencent Cloud Risk Control Solutions, Tencent Marketing Cloud, and its global AI infrastructure network. Among them, the newly launched investment research capabilities on WorkBuddy International Edition emerged as a key focus among financial industry professionals attending the event.

During Hong Kong FinTech Week, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced the launch of Project SAGE (Securing Agentic Finance with Governance and Enablement) and established the Agentic Finance Expert Group. Tencent Cloud was selected as a member of the group, bringing its experience in deploying WorkBuddy across financial services to collaborate with the HKMA and industry stakeholders on standards and governance for Agentic Finance, supporting the responsible development and adoption of the technology in Hong Kong.

WorkBuddy International Edition Introduces New Financial Capabilities to Enhance Investment Research Efficiency

Tencent WorkBuddy is a full-scenario AI agent desktop workstation designed for modern workplace scenarios. Its International Edition was launched on May 28 this year. By simply entering a natural language prompt, users can instruct WorkBuddy to autonomously access information, break down tasks, utilize relevant tools, and execute complex workflows, generating ready-to-use deliverables across a wide range of work and learning scenarios.

Designed for financial researchers and consultants, financial content creators, and individual investors, WorkBuddy’s newly launched investment research capabilities help streamline a range of investment research tasks. It supports company research, portfolio assessments based on user-provided information, and stock screening based on specific criteria.

For example, when conducting company research, users can simply instruct WorkBuddy: “Compile data from Tencent Holdings Limited (00700.HK) across its latest 12 reported quarters, provide an in-depth analysis of its revenue, profit margins and growth drivers, and retain the original sources.” WorkBuddy can then help retrieve and consolidate financial reports across multiple quarters, analyze key business metrics, business composition and performance trends based on company disclosures, and generate a preliminary research report while preserving original source references. Users can further refine their analysis through follow-up questions on specific figures, calculation methodologies or the drivers behind business performance, significantly reducing the time spent on manual data collection and information consolidation.

According to the WorkBuddy spokesperson, WorkBuddy is built on human-in-the-loop collaboration. While AI assists with data gathering, data analysis and information synthesis, research judgment and investment decisions remain firmly in the hands of professionals. By streamlining repetitive, time-consuming and cross-platform workflows, WorkBuddy enables users to devote more time and effort to strategic analysis and in-depth research. Looking ahead, WorkBuddy will continue to expand its financial capabilities to improve productivity across a wider range of financial services scenarios.

Tencent Cloud Selected for the Agentic Finance Expert Group to Advance Interoperability Standards

During Hong Kong FinTech Week, the HKMA officially launched Project SAGE and established the Agentic Finance Expert Group. Tencent Cloud was selected to join the group and will focus on contributing to interoperability standards-related initiatives, drawing on WorkBuddy’s experience in financial services to support the responsible development and adoption of Agentic Finance in Hong Kong.

As AI Agent technologies continue to mature, the financial industry’s use of AI is evolving from improving internal operational efficiency to exploring how AI Agents can deliver more efficient and secure financial services. This emerging model, known as Agentic Finance, has the potential to reshape how customers access and use financial products and services. Meanwhile, the associated risks and challenges need to be properly addressed to support its responsible development and adoption, particularly in areas such as agent identity verification, accountability and system security.

According to the HKMA, Project SAGE aims to enable practical applications of Agentic Finance, while ensuring the governance framework is in place. This initiative focuses on four key areas: Market Development and Use Case Exploration, Agent Identity, Interoperability Standards, and Legal and Regulatory Frameworks. Through its participation in the interoperability standards initiatives, Tencent Cloud will support the exploration of how AI Agents across different institutions and platforms can securely identify one another, accurately communicate instructions, and safely exchange data, laying the foundation for the large-scale adoption of Agentic Finance.

Liming Hu, Vice President of Tencent Cloud, said: “Common standards and protocols can help reduce duplicate integration efforts and mitigate risks associated with interactions between systems, providing a critical foundation for the large-scale adoption of Agentic Finance. We look forward to bringing WorkBuddy’s practical experience in financial services into industry discussions and contributing to the development of Hong Kong’s Agentic Finance ecosystem and related standards.”

Tencent Cloud has extensive experience serving the financial industry, and supports more than 10,000 financial institution customers worldwide. Its AI Agent tool, WorkBuddy, is already widely used across banking, insurance, securities, and asset management scenarios, and has accumulated extensive practical experience in AI Agent collaboration and cross-platform interoperability.

About Tencent Cloud

Tencent Cloud, one of the world’s leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through our extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT, and network security. It is our constant mission to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel, and transportation.

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SOURCE Tencent Cloud

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Wincomm and Portwell to Showcase Next-Gen Medical AI Computing at MEDICA 2026

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A Broader Computing Portfolio from Mobile care, Medical AI and Operating Room

HSINCHU, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Wincomm, a Portwell company, will join Portwell Taiwan and Portwell Europe at MEDICA 2026 to present a shared direction for medical AI computing. Taking place November 16–19 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the joint showcase at Hall 12, Stand C76 will connect embedded computing, medical All-in-One (AIO) PCs, and portable devices across a wider range of healthcare applications.

With participation from Portwell Taiwan and Portwell Europe, the showcase brings together product engineering expertise and regional support to help medical equipment manufacturers and system integrators explore suitable computing architectures for their applications.

The joint presentation reflects a broader development in healthcare technology: demand for more diverse computing platforms tailored to different workloads, power requirements, installation constraints, and system integration needs. By presenting their complementary portfolios together, Wincomm and Portwell offer visitors a more comprehensive view of the platforms available for developing connected medical equipment and deploying intelligence at the clinical edge.

A Shared Medical AI Direction: Application-Specific Platforms Across the Care Environment

Together, Wincomm and the Portwell group will present a medical AI development direction centered on application-specific computing: combining mobility, graphics acceleration, clinical integration, and serviceability according to the needs of each care setting.

The demonstration portfolio spans the following application areas:

Application area

Featured models

Development focus

Mobile medical
cart computing

WMP-22U/24U

Energy-efficient Intel® Core™ Ultra computing
and optional triple hot-swappable batteries for
continuous mobile workflows

GPU-accelerated
medical AI

WMP-22S/24S and
MEDS-P2210

Computing platforms for demanding medical
imaging and AI workloads, including AIO
configurations with discrete GPU options

Medical box
computing

MEDS-7081, 7082, 5210,
and DTEC-D012

Embedded computing options for medical
equipment integration and application-specific
deployment

Operating room
computing

WMP-22T/24T/27T-PIS

AIO platforms designed for operating room
integration and surgical information workflows

Point-of-care
computing

WMP-109, MEDS-
P1003, and WMP-
22P/24P-IP54

Clinical information access and interaction at the
point of care

Portable medical
computing

WMT-101

Handheld information access, barcode scanning,
and NFC-enabled data capture

Medical device manufacturers, system integrators, and healthcare technology partners are invited to explore the demonstration portfolio and discuss future medical AI development opportunities.

Exhibition: MEDICA 2026
Dates: November 16–19, 2026
Location: Düsseldorf, Germany
Wincomm Portwell Joint booth: Hall 12, Stand C76
TW Excellence booth: Hall 16, Stand B23

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/wincomm-and-portwell-to-showcase-next-gen-medical-ai-computing-at-medica-2026-302927355.html

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