InformationWeek Podcast: CIOs on Advocating for Uncertain Tech Bets

Why It Matters

Their approaches show how technology leaders can translate uncertain tech investments into CFO-relevant metrics—cost reduction, retention, time-to-close—and patient or customer impact, shaping where enterprises allocate AI and security budgets. Clear ROI framing and security automation will determine which experimental bets scale across industries.

Summary

On the InformationWeek podcast, CIOs and CISOs discussed how to win executive buy-in for tech bets with uncertain ROI, centering on AI and related developer/security tools. Richard Mackey described deploying agentic AI in contact centers to improve chronic-care patient experience and using predictive analytics to drive adherence and operational efficiencies. Heather Hinton emphasized investing in developer-focused automation—threat intelligence, vulnerability remediation—and a model-centric product (MCP) to let customers find services via conversational search. Both argued leaders must pair innovation bets with measurable business and clinical outcomes rather than speculative promises.

Original Description

Richard Mackey, CIO at CCS Medical, and Heather Hinton, CISO at Sitecore, discuss how they get other stakeholders on board for new tech with tentative ROI.