CIO Trends 2024 – digital transformation and the latest IT trends

Karolina Felczak
CIO Trends 2024 – digital transformation and the latest IT trends
7 min.

This year’s edition of the CIO Trends 2024 conference brought together IT and business leaders, creating a dynamic platform for exchanging insights on the latest industry trends. During the event, participants had the opportunity to explore how leading organizations leverage AI, low-code solutions, and other emerging technologies to streamline and optimize their processes. In this article, we highlight selected presentations from the conference.

Accelerating digital transformation with Low-Code: Productive24’s success story at Danone

Digital transformation in large organizations requires innovative solutions that combine flexibility, rapid deployment, and effective data centralization. The case study of the Productive24 platform implementation within the DANONE group – presented by Dariusz Radzimirski (Senior Business Solutions Manager IT&Data CEN, Commercial Sales, DANONE) and Paweł Więska (Head of Business Development at Productive24) – demonstrates a successful transition from outdated legacy systems to modern low-code solutions. This transformation not only optimized key business processes but also significantly enhanced data management and integration with core systems such as SAP. The real-world application of low-code technology clearly shows that it enables the fast delivery of solutions tailored to the evolving needs of modern enterprises.

Scaling AI adoption: from challenges to practical solutions

Maciej Grabowski from Hewlett Packard Enterprise focused on the key challenges associated with implementing AI solutions in large organizations. He presented the tools and technologies that support successful adoption, emphasizing the importance of robust infrastructure and the effective scaling of enterprise-grade AI solutions.

Paweł Więsek (Productive24) and Dariusz Radzimirski (DANONE). Source: IDG.

Effective employee training and clear guidelines for AI usage form the foundation of successful implementations in large organizations.

The speaker emphasized the importance of an iterative implementation approach – starting with Proof of Concept projects before moving on to more advanced initiatives. A key part of the presentation focused on practical guidance for selecting the right tools and increasing the effectiveness of AI deployments in complex business environments. Clear AI governance guidelines, combined with comprehensive employee training, were highlighted as essential foundations for successful implementation in large organizations. By adopting this structured approach, companies can not only implement AI effectively but also build long-term strategies that support sustainable growth across the entire organization.

Maciej Grabowski also addressed the key challenges related to scaling artificial intelligence, including model integration with existing systems and effective data management. He highlighted the critical role of cloud technologies, such as Kubernetes, in enabling the efficient deployment and management of large-scale applications. Cloud-native solutions are gaining increasing traction in environments that demand flexibility, scalability, and rapid time-to-market. The speaker also pointed out that in high-availability scenarios requiring real-time data processing, AI and advanced analytics initiatives can be further enhanced through the use of edge computing technologies.

AI-friendly environment

Piotr Beńke from IBM focused on creating an environment that fosters the development and adoption of artificial intelligence technologies. His presentation highlighted best practices for building IT infrastructure that supports effective AI implementation. He emphasized the importance of democratizing AI tools, ensuring they are accessible not only to IT specialists but also to employees across various business functions. The speaker also underlined the value of cross-functional collaboration and maintaining high standards of data security, particularly in the context of training AI models. A particularly compelling part of the presentation addressed how to integrate AI solutions with existing IT systems while minimizing disruption to ongoing business operations.

Piotr Beńke also referred to the IBM watsonx platform, which enables organizations to scale and develop AI models in a flexible and efficient manner. With its cloud-agnostic architecture, watsonx allows companies to leverage multiple cloud providers, reducing dependency on a single environment and increasing strategic flexibility. In the area of data management, he emphasized the critical importance of robust security practices and protection against increasingly sophisticated AI-related threats in complex IT ecosystems. He also highlighted the role of 5G technologies in accelerating the development of AI applications. By delivering higher bandwidth and faster data transfer, 5G enables real-time AI operations, opening up new opportunities for organizations seeking to implement innovative, data-driven solutions.

Piotr Beńke (IBM). Source: IDG.

Generative AI in everyday practice – The Experience of Huuuge Games

During his presentation, Marcin Safranow from Huuuge Games explored the practical applications of generative AI in the gaming industry. He demonstrated how artificial intelligence supports teams in their day-to-day operations by automating repetitive tasks and enabling a more creative and efficient approach to project development. Particularly compelling were examples showcasing the use of AI for generating visual content and performing real-time data analysis, highlighting how these technologies enhance both creativity and operational effectiveness.

The speaker also addressed the challenges associated with implementing generative AI in gaming environments. One of the key issues is data quality management – AI models must be trained on accurate, consistent, and well-structured data to deliver meaningful and reliable outcomes. Another major challenge lies in building scalable infrastructure that enables seamless integration of AI solutions with existing analytical and operational systems. Without a properly designed technological environment, AI adoption may result in limitations related to scalability, performance, and long-term sustainability.

So, what are the key benefits of generative AI in the gaming industry, according to Marcin Safranow? First and foremost, it enables rapid design iterations and the creation of more engaging user experiences. Generative AI opens up new avenues for innovation, particularly in content personalization and player experience optimization. By analyzing player behavior in real time and dynamically adapting content, gaming companies can deliver highly personalized and immersive experiences that increase engagement and long-term retention.

Marcin Safranow also emphasized that 5G and edge computing technologies play a crucial role in optimizing AI applications in real time. By enabling the rapid processing of large volumes of data with minimal latency, these technologies significantly enhance performance and support more responsive, dynamic gaming experiences.

Cyber Resilience – preparing for an attack


Daniel Kamiński from Orange Polska addressed the topic of cyber resilience, which is becoming increasingly critical in the face of growing digital threats. His presentation offered a comprehensive overview of the most common types of cyberattacks, along with practical approaches to effectively preventing and mitigating them. He emphasized that the foundation of a strong organizational defense strategy lies in a proactive approach – combining advanced security technologies with continuous employee education on emerging threats and their potential impact. Daniel also highlighted the importance of tools such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and advanced threat detection and protection mechanisms, which play a crucial role in strengthening an organization’s overall cybersecurity posture.

By adopting a threat intelligence–driven approach, organizations can detect, neutralize, and even anticipate potential threats more quickly and effectively.

Daniel Kamiński also emphasized the importance of network segmentation as a key measure for limiting the spread of security incidents within internal IT environments. By dividing networks into controlled segments, organizations can significantly reduce the potential impact of a breach. He further noted that a threat intelligence-driven approach – integrating data from multiple threat sources – enables organizations to manage cybersecurity risks more effectively and respond to emerging threats with greater precision and speed.

In the regulatory context, the DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) Directive was also addressed, introducing stringent requirements for operational stability and cybersecurity within the financial sector. Daniel Kamiński emphasized that complying with these regulations should be viewed not only as a legal obligation, but also as an opportunity to strengthen organizational resilience against increasingly sophisticated threats. An effective cybersecurity strategy, therefore, must combine modern technologies with clearly defined governance and risk management processes. Developing such a comprehensive approach not only safeguards critical data and systems, but also builds trust among customers and business partners. Cyber resilience should not be treated as a one-time initiative, but rather as an ongoing, strategic process – one that plays a central role in any organization aiming to sustain its competitive edge in an era of digital transformation.

The evolution of roles and competencies in IT teams: the future of Tech Talent

Katarzyna Oksińska from the Central IT Center addressed the evolving roles within IT teams and the broader shifts in the labor market driven by rapid technological advancement. Her presentation highlighted the key competencies required for the future, including adaptability, effective collaboration in multicultural environments, and the ability to manage and thrive in remote work settings. She also underscored the importance of investing in soft skills development – particularly communication and the ability to quickly absorb and apply new technologies. Furthermore, she emphasized that diversity within IT teams, including greater representation of women in the industry, enhances organizations’ ability to better understand market needs and develop more inclusive, innovative solutions.

Katarzyna Oksińska (Centralny Ośrodek Informatyki).Source: IDG.

Katarzyna Oksińska also explored the impact of cloud transformation and 5G technology on how organizations attract and develop technological talent. She emphasized the importance of designing career paths aligned with the rapidly evolving demands of the IT landscape, enabling companies to remain competitive and secure top-tier specialists. By proactively adapting talent strategies to technological change, organizations can build future-ready teams capable of driving innovation and long-term growth.

Summary

The presentations delivered at the CIO Trends 2024 conference addressed topics that are critical for modern organizations, including the future of artificial intelligence, adaptation to a rapidly evolving work environment, and building resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The case studies and insights shared by the speakers clearly underscored the importance of a well-defined strategy, effective cross-functional collaboration, and continuous investment in both people and advanced technological solutions.

The conference created a unique platform for exchanging experiences and insights related to digital transformation, providing participants with practical guidance and inspiring solutions. Each presentation offered fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing modern organizations, outlining clear directions for IT strategies that not only address today’s demands but also build sustainable competitive advantage for the years ahead.