Gartner Survey Reveals Significant Shift in Vendor Engagement Strategies Among Global CIOs

In a recent press release dated October 21, 2025, Gartner, Inc. unveiled the results of its annual global survey, revealing a notable divergence in the vendor engagement strategies of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and technology executives based on geographic location. The survey, which included responses from over 2,500 technology leaders, found that a striking 50% of non-U.S. CIOs anticipate changes to their vendor engagement approaches due to regional factors, significantly higher than the 31% of U.S.-based executives who share this sentiment.

Chris Howard, Distinguished VP Analyst and Chief of Research at Gartner, emphasized the rising importance of vendor geography and data sovereignty in light of escalating geopolitical risks and cost pressures. "Driven by the geopolitics of AI, CIOs and technology executives should recognize that vendor geography and data sovereignty risks are now viewed by many of their peers as a critical consideration in developing a global vendor portfolio," Howard stated. This shift may signal the onset of a trend towards “geopatriation,” where technology leaders actively seek to minimize geopolitical risks in their operations.

The survey findings highlight a stark contrast between the priorities of U.S. CIOs and their international counterparts. While one in three CIOs outside the U.S. is looking to increase their focus on regional technology vendors, only 16% of U.S. CIOs are considering similar strategies. This discrepancy suggests a growing awareness among global executives of the need to adapt their vendor portfolios in response to regional dynamics.

Howard cautioned that U.S. technology vendors must take note of this evolving landscape, as it poses a potential threat to their status as preferred suppliers in the international market.

As organizations reassess their vendor strategies, the survey also reveals a continued prioritization of investments in artificial intelligence (AI). According to Kris van Riper, Practice Vice President at Gartner, 2025 is characterized by a shift from AI pilots and experimentation to a focus on delivering return on investment (ROI) from agentic AI solutions.

“2025 was about AI pilots, discovery, and experimentation. 2026 will be about delivering agentic AI ROI,” van Riper noted. The transition towards agentic AI, which offers a more direct pathway to business value compared to previous generative AI initiatives, is expected to drive significant investment growth in this area. Gartner predicts that AI investments will increase by more than 35% year-over-year, despite the constrained IT budget environment many organizations are navigating.

For technology executives looking to harness the full potential of agentic AI, Gartner identified five critical value pillars essential for achieving success:

Failing to execute on these elements could jeopardize the achievement of critical ROI targets, particularly as 64% of technology executives plan to deploy agentic AI within the next 24 months.

The insights from Gartner's latest survey underscore a pivotal moment for CIOs and technology executives as they navigate a rapidly changing landscape influenced by geopolitical factors and technological advancements. As organizations pivot towards agentic AI and reevaluate their vendor engagement strategies, the focus on regional partnerships and robust AI implementation frameworks will be crucial for driving sustainable growth and competitive differentiation in the years ahead.

For further details, Gartner clients can access the full findings in the 2026 CIO and Technology Executive Agenda: The A.R.T. of Strategic Pivots in a Turbulent World.