Chief information officers face mounting demands to turn artificial intelligence promises into enterprise results, and Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in New Orleans emerges as a pivotal gathering to chart that course. Set for February 3-4 at The Roosevelt New Orleans, the conference draws senior IT leaders to dissect the shift from AI pilots to scalable delivery amid tightening budgets and rising risks. Hosted by Info-Tech Research Group, the event promises research-backed tools to bridge strategy and outcomes.

Gord Harrison, the firm’s chief research officer, captures the moment: “The challenge for CIOs is no longer understanding what needs to change, but building the discipline to execute consistently.” His words, from the event announcement via Morningstar, underscore sessions on agentic AI, data-driven decisions, and leadership playbooks designed for real-world pressures.

The agenda spotlights operationalizing AI agents, with Martin Bufi, research director, leading “The Rise of AI Agents.” This keynote will tackle responsible integration into operating models to boost productivity while curbing risks, reflecting broader industry moves where over three-quarters of CIOs anticipate agentic AI investments by year-end, per Info-Tech’s CIO Priorities 2026 report detailed by PR Newswire.

Agentic AI Takes Center Stage

Agentic AI, evolving from isolated tools to coordinated ecosystems, dominates discussions. Info-Tech’s Tech Trends 2026 session, featured at the conference, lists “Multi-Agent Orchestration” among eight key shifts, where AI systems collaborate like teams rather than solo actors. This aligns with findings that initial generative AI gains fell short without structured scaling, pushing leaders toward autonomous workflows backed by governance.

Jeremy Roberts, senior director, will present “Info-Tech’s Data Digest: Insights From Our American Members’ Experiences,” drawing on U.S. member data to benchmark regulatory changes, cultural factors, and IT priorities. Such sessions equip attendees to leverage peer data for sharper decisions, as economic uncertainty compresses timelines and demands proof of value.

Davin Juusola, senior vice president, headlines “The Exceptional IT Leadership Team: Info-Tech’s Playbook for IT Transformation,” focusing on the CIO Playbook across data, security, applications, and infrastructure. This addresses the execution gap, where disciplined delivery builds credibility in boardrooms facing AI hype fatigue.

Playbooks for Operational Discipline

Info-Tech spotlights its AI Playbook and Enterprise Architecture Playbook as agenda anchors, per a PR Newswire release. These frameworks connect governance, architecture, and delivery to move beyond experiments, with the AI Playbook offering steps for scaling amid vendor dependencies and cyber threats—55% of CIOs plan cybersecurity budget hikes tied to AI risks.

The CIO Priorities 2026 report, based on over 700 survey responses and 25 executive interviews, outlines five mandates: maximizing AI via value streams, fortifying enterprise architecture, advancing IT financial management, sharpening risk practices, and optimizing data foundations. Case studies include Amazon Web Services on risk management, Bell Cyber on AI-automated security, and Make-A-Wish Foundation on IT finance for mission impact.

Value Driven IT gains prominence as budgets tighten, with sessions on governance and investment prioritization to demonstrate business outcomes. A webinar on February 11 will extend these insights, reinforcing the conference’s role in actionable planning.

Star Keynotes and Broader Trends

Zack Kass, former OpenAI executive turned global AI advisor, and Felix Schmidt, AI thought leader, join as keynoters, announced via Info-Tech Research Group. Their perspectives on AI-driven change complement internal sessions like Adaptive IT Leadership, which probes talent development and decision-making in flux.

Tech Trends 2026 expands to resilient supply chains, integrated organizational resilience, and “Service as Software” powered by AI automation. Gord Harrison notes, “CIOs are not short on trends, but they are short on clarity,” from coverage in StreetInsider, positioning the event to filter signal from noise.

Breakouts, lightning rounds, and one-on-one analyst meetings round out the two-day format, fostering peer exchanges among North American executives. Media passes invite journalists for exclusive access, signaling Info-Tech’s push to amplify these priorities.

Execution in a High-Stakes Era

As AI scales, CIOs confront scrutiny on returns, with Info-Tech data showing higher-maturity firms leading agentic adoption. The conference’s emphasis on playbooks and data digests responds directly, offering diagnostics and benchmarks from diagnostics programs to counter architecture and governance shortfalls.

Regional expansions like IGNITE 2026 echo LIVE themes in smaller markets, while global stops in Brisbane feature Olympian Steven Bradbury. Yet New Orleans kicks off the year, targeting U.S. pressures from regulatory shifts and vendor AI reliance—70% of firms use third-party tools.

Attendees gain frameworks to audit supply chains, enforce AI governance, and align innovation with readiness, ensuring technology serves business imperatives. Info-Tech LIVE 2026 positions CIOs not as experimenters, but as orchestrators of sustained value in uncertain times.