Hello, Visionary CTOs! 🌟

The companies winning in 2025 all have one thing in common…

They don’t just use technology - they think like a tech company.

AI isn’t a futuristic concept anymore - it’s already woven into daily operations, decision-making, and even hiring strategies. This week, we’re uncovering why the best companies are treating AI as a competitive advantage, how CTOs are rethinking talent acquisition, and what OpenAI’s new ChatGPT Connectors mean for enterprise security.

Adapt now, or risk falling behind. The companies that understand this are the ones defining the future.

Let’s get into it.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• Think Like a Tech Company - Or Fall Behind 🚀

• AI Talent Is Scarce - Here’s Your Game Plan 🧠

• OpenAI’s ChatGPT Connectors Are Coming - What You Need to Know 🤖

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• CTO Playbook: Engineering High-Accuracy LLMs for Scalable AI Success

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Think Like a Tech Company - Or Fall Behind 🚀 read the full 1,850-word article here

Article published: March 13, 2025

As a CTO, you’re not just managing technology - you’re shaping your company’s future. The latest insights from CIO make one thing clear:

If your organization isn’t thinking like a tech company, it’s already falling behind.

Tech-first companies don’t just react to change - they engineer it. This mindset is no longer optional in AI-driven business environments where adaptability, security, and innovation define survival.

The challenge? Balancing innovation, security, and operational stability. From AI adoption and risk management to talent acquisition and governance, CTOs must lead the charge in integrating AI, automation, and scalable tech strategies into core business functions.

Key Takeaways:

• 🤖 AI Strategy Must Be Defined - Now: 75% of employees use AI at work, yet many organizations lack clear governance, increasing security and compliance risks.

• 🛡️ AI Risk Management Is Non-Negotiable: Vendors must now be evaluated for AI data compliance, contract language, and proprietary data usage.

• 🎯 CTOs Must Hire for Adaptability, Not Just Skills: The best teams aren’t just AI experts - they’re curious, self-starting problem solvers who learn fast.

• 🚀 Tech-First Thinking Drives Competitive Advantage: Industries like semiconductors thrive by planning five years ahead. If your business isn’t doing the same, it’s playing catch-up.

AI Talent Is Scarce - Here’s Your Game Plan 🧠 read the full 2,100-word article here

Article published: March 13, 2025

AI is evolving faster than your hiring strategy.

The demand for AI engineers, data scientists, and machine learning experts has skyrocketed - while the supply has barely budged. 76% of organizations report severe AI talent shortages, forcing CTOs to rethink their hiring, upskilling, and AI strategy.

The solution? A multi-pronged approach that balances recruitment, internal training, and strategic partnerships. Companies that fail to act now risk falling behind as AI adoption outpaces workforce readiness.

Key Takeaways:

• 📈 AI Hiring is Expensive and Competitive: AI engineers saw 12-20% salary increases in 2024, with some roles commanding 50% higher pay than non-AI counterparts.

• 🎓 Upskilling is Critical, But Underutilized: Only 40% of companies have structured AI training programs, yet AI initiatives will fail without workforce proficiency.

• 🤝 AI Talent Strategy Must Expand Beyond Traditional Recruiting: Top firms tap academic networks, AI communities, and in-house engineering talent rather than relying solely on hiring.

• 🚀 Adaptability Matters More Than AI Expertise: Companies thriving in AI look for curious, fast-learning problem-solvers over rigid technical specialists.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT Connectors Are Coming - What You Need to Know 🤖 read the full article on TechCrunch here

Article published: March 17, 2025

OpenAI is beta testing ChatGPT Connectors - a game-changing feature that integrates ChatGPT with Google Drive, Slack, and soon SharePoint and Box. This means your teams can query ChatGPT for context-aware answers based on internal documents, spreadsheets, and Slack discussions.

For CTOs, this raises two critical questions:
1️⃣ How can this accelerate knowledge management and collaboration?
2️⃣ What are the security and compliance implications of syncing internal company data with AI?

Key Takeaways:

• 🚀 AI-Enhanced Enterprise Search: ChatGPT will now pull insights directly from company files and Slack threads, streamlining knowledge retrieval across teams.

• 🛡️ Security and Compliance Considerations: OpenAI syncs an encrypted copy of internal files but claims no data will be used for model training - a key concern for enterprise AI adoption.

• 🔗 Admin Controls and Permissions: Access is synced with existing file and Slack permissions, ensuring employees only see data they’re authorized to access.

• ⚡ A Threat to Traditional Enterprise Search?: This move puts AI-powered workplace search tools like Glean on notice, as ChatGPT becomes a one-stop knowledge assistant.

Why It Matters

Most businesses don’t fail because they ignore technology. They fail because they adopt it too late.

AI is already reshaping industries, and the companies leading the charge aren’t just reacting - they’re building entire strategies around it. Whether it’s defining an AI roadmap, securing top talent, or rethinking data security, today’s CTOs aren’t just managing technology; they’re shaping the future of their companies.

The next five years will separate the disruptors from the disrupted. Which side will your company be on?

Rachel Miller
Editor-in-Chief
CTO Executive Insights

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