Modernise, Scale AI, Justify Spend: The CIO Mandate for 2026
Analyst Market Briefings
Modernise, Scale AI, Justify Spend: The CIO Mandate for 2026
Thursday, 30 July, 2026 @11:00am
Date
Thursday, 30 July, 2026
Time
11:00am -12:00pm AEDT
Location
Zoom link will be available upon registration.
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In February 2026, ADAPT surveyed 226 Australian CIOs responsible for technology strategy across organisations representing a significant share of national GDP.
The data reveals a complex reality with CIOs under pressure to modernise core platforms, scale AI responsibly, and deliver measurable business outcomes.
Nearly 28% of mission-critical applications still depend on legacy platforms, creating structural drag on transformation. At the same time, AI ambition is rising, but governance maturity and organisational readiness remain uneven.
The result is a shift in how CIOs prioritise initiatives, evaluate partners, and justify transformation internally. Scrutiny is intensifying, and funding increasingly depends on cross-functional justification and credible ROI narratives.
What do CIOs expect from their tech partners in this climate?
How can your teams align to their mandate – not just their technology roadmap?
In this 55-minute virtual briefing, you’ll gain exclusive client-only insights to help sharpen your positioning, align to the CIO’s mandate, and strengthen early-stage conversations in 2026.
Key Takeaways Top Australian business priorities and tech initiatives in 2026 Platform modernisation realities and legacy dependency AI governance maturity and scaling constraints Shifting CIO expectations in vendor engagement Key challenges influencing local CIO decision-making
Meet the Moderator & Speaker
Gabby Fredkin
Head of Analytics & Insights
Anthony Saba
Partner & Research and Advisory Executive Director
Gabby Fredkin
Head of Analytics & Insights
Gabby’s primary role is managing analysis to produce ADAPT’s actionable insights. He has extensive experience in using data to identify technology trends... More
Gabby’s primary role is managing analysis to produce ADAPT’s actionable insights. He has extensive experience in using data to identify technology trends to support Australian organisations.
Using modern data science techniques, he provides ADAPT and its customers with confidence in the accuracy and validity of the information used for ADAPT’s research, advisory and events.
With a passion for creating stories with data, Gabby is consistently rated as one of the top speakers at ADAPT’s events. In roundtable discussions, he specialises in using statistics to initiate thought-provoking discussions.
Gabby is effective in translating information into insights, enabling ADAPT’s customers to become more data-driven.
Gabby’s primary areas of expertise are:
- Advanced AI and ML practices, including AI ethics.
- Building models to benchmark and predict IT performance.
- End-user behaviour and human-centred design.
- Cross-functional team design and value, such as DevSecOps.
Anthony Saba
Partner & Research and Advisory Executive Director
Anthony leads the growth and development of ADAPT’s Research and Advisory Practice, engaging directly with ADAPT’s community of C-Level Executives, equipping them... More
Anthony leads the growth and development of ADAPT’s Research and Advisory Practice, engaging directly with ADAPT’s community of C-Level Executives, equipping them with the relevant research, tools, and advice to effectively lead and transform their organisations.
ADAPT’s Research & Advisory is pillared around equipping C-Level Executives with the insights and tools to:
- Empower the Workforce
- Improve Operational Efficiency
- Execute Data-Driven Strategies
- Modernise Legacy Environments
- Embed Trust & Security
- Enhance Customer Experience
- Transform as a Business Leader
- Align the CEO & Board
- Engage Stakeholders Effectively
- Drive Technology Thought Leadership
- Enable Innovation & Transformation
- Optimise Budgets & Ensure ROI
Additionally, Anthony manages ADAPT’s 13-person Delegate Advisory Team, responsible for the execution and delivery of all delegate acquisition and advisory programs for ADAPT across Asia Pacific.
Anthony also works within ADAPT’s Strategic Partner team, consulting with leading service providers on customer acquisition and GTM strategies.
Externally to ADAPT, Anthony is the Public Officer and Board Member for Conviction Group, a newly established not-for-profit organisation aimed at encouraging young Australians to re-evaluate their perspectives on pivotal issues concerning their mental health and provide them with the tools to enhance their decision-making.
