CEO technology concerns lie at the intersection of three major business pressures: aggressive growth plans, ongoing talent shortages, and the adoption of AI. According to Vistage, a CEO coaching and peer advisory organization, these issues were highlighted in its Q4 2025 CEO Confidence Index survey of 1,202 business leaders.

While 76% of CEOs report personally using generative AI, adoption drops to 54% for specific teams or functional areas and 53% for independent employee use, according to the index. This may concern C-suite leaders who have hung their hats on AI integration and technology adaptation as a top business priority.

Nearly one in four CEOs reported experiencing a cyberattack or threat in the past year, with 4% suffering lost or compromised data and 19% experiencing incidents without data loss. Yet 76% have documented cyber risk strategies reviewed at least annually, suggesting the gap isn’t in planning but in execution.

This is where HR enters the frame. Technology systems are only as secure as the people using them, and with 57% of CEOs planning workforce expansion over the next 12 months (up from 48% in Q3), organizations will be onboarding significant numbers of new employees who need security training from day one.

Technology investment meets talent constraints

With hiring, staffing and retention cited by 22% of leaders as their top business challenge, companies are investing heavily in technology while struggling to find the talent needed to implement and fully leverage it.

According to the index, technology and software rank as the second-highest investment priority for 2026, while technology and AI investments are the third-highest business decision priority.

Expanding the workforce internationally offers a partial solution. Among CEOs utilizing employees or contractors outside the U.S., 39% report this practice has increased over the past five years. Technology enables this global talent strategy, but it also requires HR to build new infrastructure for compliance, collaboration and cultural integration across borders.

HR tech in the news

Catch up on the latest news and trends driving the HR tech field, from leadership changes and platform innovations to new research on workforce readiness.

Leadership moves and recognition

Skillsoft named Bernard Barbour chief technology and product officer, tasking him with advancing the company’s platform innovation and AI-driven learning strategy. Barbour brings deep experience in scaling technology organizations and delivering data-driven, learner-centric solutions.

Read the full article here.