Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will be everywhere, and we will learn to love them for all the right reasons. Let's begin with the big picture. Gartner analysts said that AI -- with a particular emphasis on machine learning -- will eventually infiltrate just about every existing technology. IDC predicted companies will invest over $265 billion worldwide in new intelligence technologies by 2023. Slightly further out, IDC researchers predicted that AI will be inescapable by 2025.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will soon be everywhere, and we will learn to love them for all the right reasons. That is my prediction after seeing the latest research about these fast-evolving technologies. Begin with the big picture: Gartner analysts said that AI -- with a particular emphasis on machine learning -- will eventually infiltrate just about every existing technology. IDC predicted companies will invest over $265 billion worldwide in new intelligence technologies by 2023. Slightly further out, IDC researchers predicted that AI will be inescapable by 2025.

The challenge most CTOs face is that automation -- up until this point -- has been a largely organic affair. Different organisational groups handle it in separate, often duplicative, ways. That has led to "islands of automation" in many organisations: redundant processes and tools duplicated with little regard for standards, governance, or metrics relevant to the business such as product revenue or time to market. In 2020, CTOs will see automation challenges arise from this. In 2020, 3.9% of cubicle jobs will be removed from the economy.

A few times each year, senior digital executives from around the world assemble at Forrester's Digital Transformation Summit to check in with each other and Forrester analysts to discuss the current state of digital evolution. I was pleased to be invited as a guest to the sold-out event, held in early May in Chicago. For those who couldn't spare the two days, here is a summary of key insights and trends. While there were updates on familiar themes from prior years, such as Agile practices, the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing, the major shift this year has been a central focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) across industries and a need for an even more aggressive approach to digital transformation in order to compete. Get weekly insights by signing up for our CIO Leader newsletter.

According to Forrester, there are two types of #AI. To name just a few, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Stephen Hawking have all broached the subject of intelligent robots taking over. And it's been a favorite topic of Hollywood for decades. Think back to the "Terminator" and "Matrix" franchises, and, more recently, movies such as "Ex Machina." A different Hollywood take on AI is the futuristic "Her," which features a computer operating system (Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson) so intelligent that it develops an emotional attachment to the movie's protagonist, Theodore (played by Joaquin Phoenix). Now that's a new twist--AI advanced enough to develop human-like emotions.

A few times each year, senior digital executives from around the world assemble at Forrester's Digital Transformation Summit to check in with each other and Forrester analysts to discuss the current state of digital evolution. I was pleased to be invited as a guest to the sold-out event, held in early May in Chicago. For those who couldn't spare the two days, here is a summary of key insights and trends. While there were updates on familiar themes from prior years, such as Agile practices, the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing, the major shift this year has been a central focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) across industries and a need for an even more aggressive approach to digital transformation in order to compete. Tyler McDaniel, VP Data Insights explained Forrester's model for the empowered customer, which divides customers into five tiers, from Progressive Pioneers to Reserved Resisters.