The IT function is critical to capturing the business value of AI investments, yet that value remains elusive. Many organizations report incremental productivity gains from AI but no positive cash flows. IT organizations are uniquely positioned to address this challenge: they are experienced in managing organizational change and in the intake of business initiatives, from discovery through validation to build and scale.
Building on the Enterprise IT Operating Models framework we developed in 2025, in this study we will specifically look at AI adoption in each of the four models we described. We seek to identify practices that improve innovation and productivity, reduce costs, and increase the reliability of AI initiatives within each model.
We will focus on the following research questions:
- How does an enterprise’s IT operating model affect the intake and delivery of AI initiatives?
- How does the governance of AI vary by IT operating model?
- Do value capture, interaction with the technology supplier ecosystem, and risk management vary by IT operating model?
- What is the role of enterprise architecture in each model in scaling AI?
This project is a continuation of MIT CISR's 2025 research project "The IT Operating Model of the Future."
SEEKING: We are seeking participation in the research from enterprises actively improving how the IT function can increase the business value of AI.
CONTACT: Alan Thorogood
