IT leaders’ confidence outpaces reality
Confidence in cloud readiness varies sharply by role. While 97% of executives say their teams are prepared to execute their cloud strategy, that confidence drops to 75% among team-level managers and 72% among technical contributors.
While this still represents a majority, the 20-plus percentage-point difference reveals a significant disconnect between those setting strategy and those closest to the frontline—where complexity, constraints, and skills gaps are felt most acutely.
AI readiness shows a similar pattern. Leaders see the roadmap, budgets, and long-term intent. Managers and practitioners live the day-to-day reality of implementation, giving them a more grounded view of actual capability, readiness, and progress.
The gap is growing, and the stakes are rising
70% of respondents say that AI and automation will change the skills teams need to a significant or extreme degree. That shift is already reflected in the capabilities respondents expect to matter most in the near future:
- AI/machine learning literacy and implementation
- Cybersecurity and zero-trust architecture
- Cloud architecture and platform engineering
- AI governance, risk, and compliance
- Automation and orchestration
7 practical ways to close the talent gap
Despite the upskilling and hiring challenges organizations face, there are clear ways to close the gap by prioritizing continuous learning and rethinking how teams operate.
A few strategies worth considering include:
- Creating time and incentives for learning
- Combining internal development with external expertise
- Listening to frontline employees
- Building knowledge-sharing systems
- Prioritizing long-term needs
- Simplifying tech stacks
- Rethinking workforce planning
Preparing for what’s next starts now
Change has always been part of IT. New technologies emerge fast, priorities shift, and teams are expected to respond without missing a beat. While no one can predict the next wave with certainty, one thing is clear: the skills required to keep pace will continue to evolve.
Today, AI, automation, and cloud migration are raising the bar. IT leaders are under pressure to modernize quickly, deliver measurable outcomes, and future‑proof their organizations. But progress stalls without the right mix of skills, experience, and execution power behind it.
Closing the talent and skills gap is possible; it just takes deliberate action. Organizations that plan ahead and lean on trusted partners can meet today’s demands while building the resilience and capability needed for what’s next. 