Building a Solid IT Strategy in an Unstable World

Experts on How CIOs Can Avoid 'Geopolitical Lock-In' in AI, Cloud and Supply Chains Jennifer Lawinski • January 13, 2026

It's not surprising in today's world to wake up to news of dramatic changes in the geopolitical climate, of protests erupting overnight that could destabilize governments, or of nation-state actors launching cyberattacks. Geopolitical instability is a part of reality in 2026, and the stakes are high for CIOs who must rely on global supply chains to develop IT, artificial intelligence, cloud and cybersecurity strategies.

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Assumptions of stability that underpinned IT strategy no longer hold, according to experts, and CIOs need to take a more strategic, risk-aware role when it comes to navigating this uncertain landscape. AI acceleration, cloud concentration and global digital supply chains must be approached strategically and with a plan for what happens ...