The results of the CIO Sentiment Survey broken down into investment impact and themes
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The 2025 response saw the return of old woes when it comes to internal resources. While asset owners reported in 2024 that staffing-related issue became somewhat under control, 2025 saw the reappearance of concerns including lack of necessary system or tools, understaffed internal team, and personal time constraints.
They are least worried about changes in plan structure or working in the new hybrid environment.
The hiring speed across all function, from executives to operations, have also slowed down significantly compared to 2024 but still in net positive territory, which means more asset owners are looking to increase headcount than those reducing it. Most have plans to expand the investment team, with a net 44 per cent of respondents saying they will increase headcount in the department.
Small plans have less demands for risk personnel compared to big and medium plans, and Skriba highlighted that the complexity of investment operations and spread of geographical footprint is relevant to in this decision.
Staffing-Related Challenges
% of respondents, 2023–2025
Understaffed internal team
Underdeveloped internal team talent/skillsets
Planned Net Hiring Increases
Small plans vs. large/mid plans, % of respondents, 2025
Risk Management
Legal/
Compliance
Meanwhile, AI is shaping up to be a valuable tool for CIOs to improve efficiency especially under these constraints. The most popular usage of AI is investment research, where 61 per cent of respondents are experimenting with test cases, exploring options or have fully operational uses of AI. Other popular usage areas include manager due diligence, and risk management and compliance.
To prepare for greater incorporation of AI, over half of asset owners are gearing up to enhance data quality and governance, and build out initial and subsequent test cases for application. Other measures include providing staff training and upskilling relevant team members for more in-depth technical knowledge.
Asset owners are also preparing to spend big and have the appropriate technology for various functions. A net 61 per cent of respondents said they want to invest more in data management, followed by 50 per cent in portfolio and investment management technology, and 44 per cent in reporting systems and back office.
Breaking down the planned improvements in data management further, the top priorities for over half of investors are to integrate systems across the organisation into “a single source of data truth”, as well as ensuring sound data governance and quality.
What is your current and planned usage of AI in your organisation?
% of respondents
