Not enough IT departments have strategic, trusted advisor relationships with the C-suite. Too many operate like pharmacies: taking orders, and delivering medicines. But companies need more "doctors" who can diagnose and proactively help executives take advantage of technology, especially new ones such as AI, machine learning, and quantum computing.
In companies, there is a barrier between leadership and technology that works in both directions. The implementation needs of high level strategy, planning, and roadmapping don't effectively filter down the organization. At the same time, technical initiatives that could help senior leaders improve the organization stay within the technical department, where they struggle to get sponsorship and resources.
This gap represents a big opportunity for CIOs / CTOs wanting to elevate and differentiate their operations.
Yesterday's WSJ had an interesting article about how a startup is using a old steel factory in West Virginia to make large rechargeable batteries out of iron (as opposed to lithium) that can run homes / businesses for 100 hours. The battery uses oxygen to turn the iron into rust, which generates electricity. Then, it uses solar and wind to generate electricity to recharge the battery by turning the rust back into iron, creating oxygen.
That's why I'm hopeful that we'll eventually solve the climate problem because of innovation.