Day 2 of the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2025 delivered major insights into the future of AI, autonomous business, and IT spending. Key discussions covered why GenAI projects fail, the evolving landscape of global AI regulation, the transition toward autonomous business, and crucial considerations for AI and GenAI contracts.
Key Announcements
India’s IT Spending Forecast
-
Gartner predicts India’s IT spending will surpass $176 billion in 2026, highlighting accelerated digital and AI-driven transformation across industries.
Top Reasons Why GenAI Projects Fail And How to Fix Them
Speaker: Arun Chandrasekaran, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
Enterprises are under pressure to demonstrate measurable value from GenAI pilots. Chandrasekaran outlined common pitfalls and how organizations can avoid them.
Key Takeaways
-
“The biggest risk with GenAI today is not taking any risk or waiting for the dust to settle.”
-
Reason 1: GenAI alone may not deliver optimal results—use composite AI combining multiple techniques.
-
Reason 2: Avoid tech obsolescence by building composable architectures and ensuring AI-ready data.
-
Reason 3: Don’t treat responsible AI as an afterthought; embed it at the core of all initiatives.
-
Reason 4: Invest in data and AI literacy through hands-on training that emphasizes both understanding and application.
The State of AI Regulation: Building a Unified Strategy
Speaker: Anushree Verma, Sr Director Analyst, Gartner
With AI laws emerging rapidly worldwide, organizations must navigate varied compliance frameworks without slowing innovation.
Key Takeaways
-
“Most AI laws share a common structure… defining AI, assigning risk tiers, and outlining obligations.”
-
High-risk AI systems require strong risk management programs to monitor, track, and mitigate risks.
-
Ensure the quality of data used in training and inference for high-risk systems.
-
Establish human oversight mechanisms to detect and address abnormal system behavior.
-
Launch AI training programs so teams working with high-risk AI understand compliance requirements and can spot issues.
Autonomous Business: The Next Phase After Digital Business
Speaker: Kristian Steenstrup, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner
As AI reshapes products, customers, and operations, Steenstrup outlined the shift toward autonomous business—the next frontier after digital transformation.
Key Takeaways
-
“Autonomous business is a force multiplier… enabling business innovation beyond traditional leadership.”
-
Build an augmented workforce using AI-driven adaptive training to accelerate learning.
-
AI-powered products will redefine customer expectations; leverage automation to unlock new revenue streams.
-
Prepare for machine customers—AI agents engaging in transactions.
-
The programmable economy will monetize new value forms; fintech adoption will be central.
Addressing Risks in AI and GenAI Contracts
Speaker: DD Mishra, VP Analyst, Gartner
GenAI introduces unique contractual risks related to data usage, responsible AI, and evolving pricing models.
Key Takeaways
-
Ensure vendors clearly define data access, use, and responsible AI practices.
-
Monitor market changes, as rising adoption and shifting pricing models can complicate contracts.
-
Buyers should push for transparent, predictable pricing, as vendors often do not offer it upfront.
-
Play an active role in shaping future standards by demanding greater transparency and risk mitigation from vendors.
End of Day 2
That wraps up Day 2 of the symposium. You can explore the agenda for Day 3 on the event website. If any session interests you and you’d like deeper insights, we can facilitate an interaction with the respective Gartner analysts.
